Smart Attendance System

A simple RFID + manual attendance system with a Node.js backend, Next.js frontend, and Neon PostgreSQL.

Project Structure

• backend/ - Express API + Neon connection
• frontend/ - Next.js web app (App Router)
• esp8266/ - RFID firmware for NodeMCU + RC522

Neon Setup

This project is configured for Neon project empty-block-57591024 (org org-silent-darkness-01000100).

1. Open the SQL editor in Neon and run the schema file:
   • backend/src/db/schema.sql
2. Keep credentials out of Git and rotate passwords when needed.

Backend

1. Install dependencies:
   • npm install
2. Update backend/.env with your own values:
   • DATABASE_URL
   • JWT_SECRET
   • PORT
3. Start the API:
   • npm run dev

Endpoints:

• POST /auth/register
• POST /auth/login
• POST /classes
• GET /classes
• GET /classes/:id
• POST /classes/:id/students
• GET /classes/:id/students
• PUT /students/:id
• DELETE /students/:id
• POST /attendance/rfid
• POST /attendance/manual
• GET /attendance?class_id=&date=

Frontend (Next.js)

1. Install dependencies:
   • npm install
2. Create frontend/.env.local with:
   • NEXT_PUBLIC_API_BASE_URL=http://localhost:4000
3. Start the web app:
   • npm run dev

ESP8266

1. Open esp8266/config.h and set:
   • WIFI_SSID
   • WIFI_PASSWORD
   • BACKEND_URL
   • CLASS_ID
2. Flash esp8266/rfid_attendance.ino

Notes

• RFID endpoint is open by design. No device auth or API keys.
• Manual attendance uses authenticated API calls.
• Duplicate taps are ignored.