Project Overview: McLabor Platform
McLabor is a comprehensive, production-ready business management platform built with a FastAPI backend and a Next.js frontend, designed to streamline and automate operations across multiple business domains such as user management, customer projects, company records, and knowledge sharing. The platform emphasizes modularity, scalability, performance, and secure deployment on HestiaCP-managed infrastructure.
🧩 System Architecture
1. Backend: McLabor API
A powerful and modular REST API developed with FastAPI, utilizing SQLAlchemy (async) and PostgreSQL for high-performance data management. The backend serves as the core business logic and data layer of the platform.
Key Features
Modern Python Stack: FastAPI, SQLAlchemy (async), Alembic, PostgreSQL
Modular Architecture: Each domain (users, roles, customers, etc.) is isolated and scalable
Secure Authentication: JWT-based authentication with fine-grained permission handling
Robust REST API: Versioned endpoints (/api/v1), OpenAPI docs, health checks
Deployment-Ready: Includes Systemd services, Nginx templates, environment config
Developer CLI Tools: Migrations, superuser creation, data seeding
Sample Modules
Users & Roles: Full authentication and RBAC system
Customer Projects: Rich project tracking with nested relationships
Company Info, Reminders, Knowledge Base: Modular support for internal operations
- Frontend: McLabor App
A modern, responsive, and maintainable frontend built with Next.js, React, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS. The UI provides a clean and interactive interface for business users to interact with backend data.
Key Features
Next.js Framework: SSR/SSG support with custom API routes
TypeScript: Type-safe development for maintainability
Tailwind CSS: Rapid UI development with utility-first styling
Component Architecture: Modular components under src/components/
Authentication: JWT/session-based auth synced with backend
Responsive Design: Tailored for both desktop and mobile use
API Integration: Dynamic API calls using environment-based REST endpoints
Developer Tooling: ESLint, PostCSS, and robust project configuration
Frontend Structure Highlights
src/ – Pages, components, hooks, contexts, and types
public/ – Static assets
next.config.ts – Configuration for rewrites and env variables
tailwind.config.js – Custom theming and utility classes
🔗 Integration & Deployment
Unified Deployment Workflow
API & Frontend Integration: RESTful communication with CORS & environment switching
HestiaCP + Nginx: Backend and frontend are optimized for HestiaCP deployment
Systemd Services: Manage API and frontend as Linux services
Port Management: Script-based port allocation to support multiple apps concurrently
💡 Core Functional Modules
1. User Authentication & Authorization
JWT login, role-based permissions, CLI-based superuser management
- Customer & Project Management
Customer CRUD, project lifecycle tracking, document/note management
- Company & Employee Management
Internal records, payroll/contact data, permissioned employee access
- Reminders & Knowledge Base
Task reminders, research notes, and centralized knowledge sharing
- Categories & Reference Data
Dynamic categories, states, counties, WCC rates, and color-coded metadata
- API-First Design
RESTful, versioned, OpenAPI-documented APIs with CORS/trusted hosts
- Modern UI/UX
Tailwind-powered responsive design with real-time data display
- Deployment & Ops
Built-in scripts, environment config, port control, and HTTPS readiness
🛡 Security & Best Practices
JWT Auth + Role Permissions: Fine-grained access control
Environment Isolation: .env support for local/prod config separation
Secure Password Hashing: Industry-standard authentication hygiene
HTTPS/SSL Ready: Nginx template with HTTPS support
Log Rotation & Backups: Guidance for monitoring and disaster recovery
⚙️ Developer Experience
CLI Utilities: Fast setup, data seeding, and admin creation
Pydantic Schemas: Strong validation and type checking
Clean Codebase: Linting, formatting, and typed interfaces
Extensive Docs: Guides for deployment, configuration, and usage
📈 Summary
The McLabor Platform is a scalable, secure, and modern business management system that integrates a powerful FastAPI backend with a flexible, component-based Next.js frontend. Engineered for production use and efficient deployment on HestiaCP-managed servers, it supports a wide range of operational needs including customer relationship management, project tracking, internal documentation, and employee oversight.
This platform stands out for its:
Clean modular architecture
Robust security practices
Streamlined deployment workflow
Developer-friendly tooling
Responsive, modern user interface