Tutorial: Build a Task Board API

Build a production-style Task Board API (Trello/Linear-style backend) from zero to deployment-ready structure using Minima.js.

By the end, you will have:

• JWT auth (access + refresh)
• Multi-workspace access control
• Nested boards/tasks routes
• File uploads for task attachments
• Consistent API error format
• OpenAPI docs and graceful shutdown

Why This Tutorial Is Structured This Way

This tutorial follows a strict copy → run → verify loop:

1. Add code for one capability.
2. Run a smoke check.
3. Move to the next capability.

Each step has a clear outcome so you always know what “done” means before continuing.

What You’ll Learn (Framework Coverage)

Feature	Where it appears
File-based module discovery	All modules
meta.prefix for nested resources	Boards + Tasks
@minimajs/auth	Auth plugin and guards
@minimajs/cookie	Refresh token cookie
@minimajs/schema + Zod	Body + query validation
@minimajs/multipart	Attachment uploads
Prisma integration	All data access
hook.lifespan	DB connect/disconnect
hook("request")	Logging + route guards
hook("error")	Centralized error behavior
abort.* helpers	Typed HTTP failures
cors + shutdown	Production runtime basics
routes: Routes map	Handler wiring per module

Final Project Structure

Project Tree

task-board/
├── src/
│   ├── index.ts          # Entry + error serializers
│   ├── module.ts         # Global plugins
│   ├── database.ts       # Prisma + lifespan hook
│   ├── auth/
│   │   ├── index.ts      # createAuth + token helpers
│   │   ├── guards.ts     # authenticated/workspaceMember/boardMember/workspaceAdmin
│   │   └── module.ts     # /auth routes
│   ├── workspaces/
│   │   └── module.ts
│   ├── boards/
│   │   └── module.ts
│   ├── tasks/
│   │   └── module.ts
│   └── members/
│       └── module.ts
├── prisma/
│   └── schema.prisma
└── package.json

Prerequisites

• TypeScript basics
• REST API basics
• Node.js 20+

No prior Minima.js experience required.

Steps

1. Project Setup: bootstrap app + Prisma schema
2. Database & Root Module: lifespan hook + global plugins
3. Authentication: access/refresh flow + guards
4. Workspaces: first protected resource CRUD
5. Boards & Tasks: nested routes + uploads + pagination
6. Members & Roles: role-based authorization
7. Error Handling & Polish: uniform error shape + operational polish

Working Method (Recommended)

• Keep one terminal running npm run dev.
• Keep one terminal for curl checks.
• After each step, run the step’s smoke test before continuing.

Need To Present Minima.js?

Use the companion guide: Tutorial Presentation Playbook

Start here: Project Setup