Learn Firebase, Puppeteer and Strapi

**Developers aren’t the only ones working on sites.** 

Marketers, copywriters, designers, and other non-coding roles all need to be able to make content changes. If you don't want to be bothered to open a PR every time a typo needs fixed, you *need* a CMS. 

And Strapi is an *amazing* CMS option.  

Strapi helps you quickly build a robust content API. You can host it yourself, it supports both RESTful and GraphQL, handles your authentication, lets you bring team members and it's highly customizable with plugins and extensions. 

You can take those gains even further by adding **Next.js 13 to the stack.** 

Next.js is fast, supports both server and client-side rendering, and features dynamic routes. Once you are generating dynamic pages from your CMS you’ll see just how powerful the combination of Strapi and Next.js is!

**In this course you will do the following:** 

- Building Content Models with Strapi
- Fetching Data from your Headless CMS
- Using React Server Components
- Using the Next.js App directory
- Setting up pagination in Strapi and Next.js
- Parsing and rendering content in your Next.js application
- Connecting external services to your Headless CMS (like Cloudinary for Media Management)
- Deploying your Next.js and Strapi Applications to a production environment
- Setting up and using Strapi Plugins
Transferring data between your Strapi environments

By the end of this course you’ll be building pages and managing your content like a pro!

strapi

Modern CMS Driven Web Applications with Strapi and Next 13

There is a lot of extra functionality that you can import into your Strapi application through Strapi plugins. 

To demonstrate how easy this is, we'll install the `strapi-todo-plugin` and add a To-Do feature to our Strapi application that will help manage our content.

Install and Use a Strapi Plugin

Inviting users to your Strapi application is simple. First, we'll create a role for editors so they can't publish or delete content then we'll add the user and fill out name and email. This gives us a URL that we can send to the new collaborator and they can set their password and log in to the Strapi dashboard.

Invite a New User to Your Strapi App

When a new Strapi version is available, you'll see a notification in your admin panel. You can also check the [Strapi GitHub releases page](https://github.com/strapi/strapi/releases) that is linked in the notification to see what's new in the latest version and take note of the latest version number. 

Once we upgrade the Strapi dependencies and install again, you'll notice the notification is gone and when you check settings the version number has been updated. To update production, you push your changes to GitHub and run `git push heroku HEAD:main`.

Upgrade a Strapi App in Development and Production

There are times that when deploying your Strapi application you'll want the data and settings you developed with to be transferred to your production environment. To do this we can use Strapi's data transfer feature. 

To start the data transfer we will need to log into the production environment and create a transfer token. When the token is created we will just need to run `yarn strapi transfer --to :heroku-url` and paste the transfer token when prompted. You'll notice that all the data is present in your production enviroment as well as the roles you set up in development.

Transfer Data Between Environments with Strapi Data Transfer

Now that we've got a functioning application it's time to deploy. For Strapi, we'll use Heroku to deploy for production. To do so we will need to create a production environment file for `database.js` and `server.js`, then we log into Heroku and created a new app. Once logged in we will set all the environment variables in Heroku. Finally, we pushed our code to Heroku and saw our application running live on the web.

Deploy a Strapi Application to Heroku

cloudinary

We'll learn how to integrate Cloudinary into our Strapi application so that we can upload image assets in our Strapi dashboard and the resulting image will be stored in Cloudinary and ready for use in our application.

We'll create a `config/plugins.js` file and paste in some config code that sets Cloudinary as the provider with `cloud_name`, `api_key`, and `api_secret`.

Then we'll install the Cloudinary provider plugin with `npm install @strapi/provider-upload-cloudinary`, add the middleware security that lets us use Cloudinary, and finally add Cloudinary credentials to our `.env` file.

Install and Add the Cloudinary Provider to a Strapi Application

We'll cover the basics of building a new page in Next.js, specifically an "About Us" page. If you've used Next before, this will feel very similar to creating a new page in the `pages` directory. 

While doing this we will also be introduced to some of the components that come with the template, such as the `PageContainer`, `Main`, `Title`, and `Description` components which you can check out [in more detail here](https://github.com/malgamves/next-13-website-template/tree/main/components).


Create an About Us Page inside the Next.js 13 App Directory

GraphQL is a powerful technology that lets you query the exact data that you need when you need it on your front end. Strapi allows for GraphQL integration through a plugin.

You can install GraphQL with the following command:

```bash
yarn strapi install graphql
```
You'll notice this adds GraphQL in your plugins tab within Strapi. 

When that is installed you can navigate to `/graphql` in your Strapi project and query the data you have. 

Install and Query GraphQL API in Strapi

We have a problem right now in that if you were to try and fetch these posts from the API, you would get a 403 error. And that's because we haven't set up the end user permissions for the API to be able to access this content. So let's go ahead and do that now.

We'll modify the User permissions for the `Post` role and give public access to `find` and `findOne`.

Set up API End User Permissions to Make REST Queries in Strapi

The first thing we want to do is model the content that will be presented on our website. To do this we'll create a Post content type that will have several fields with types including text, rich text, date, and UID. 

After we create the content type you'll see how to manually create posts through the Strapi dashboard.

Create a Collection Type for a Post in Strapi

We'll start with the basics of creating a new Strapi project, naming the project API, and setting up the project to use an SQLite database.

Creating a New Strapi Project for Development with npx

Get started building web applications with Angular and Firebase.

In this course, you'll learn how to set up and use Firebase in your Angular applications using the AngularFire library.

We choose the AngularFire library because it is an official library created by the Firebase and Angular teams to work better with Angular.

It helps you by wrapping everything into observables and helps update zones. 

By the end of this course, you'll be able to build web applications using Cloud Firestore as your database, Firebase Authentication as your Auth system, Cloud Storage to save files, and Firebase Hosting to deploy your applications to the web.

TypeScript is a typed superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript.

typescript

Build Full Stack Web Applications with Angular and Firebase

firebase

The last step we'll take is to make our application public.

We'll use the Angular CLI to generate a production build of our application, and then we'll use the Firebase CLI to deploy our application to Firebase hosting servers.

Firebase hosting is a great choice for us because Firebase Hosting will incorporate the services that we use in the app by default.


Deploy an Angular Web Application Powered by Firebase to Firebase Hosting

Angular is a development platform for creating applications using modern web standards. Angular includes a wealth of essential features such as mobile gestures, animations, filtering, routing, data binding, security, internationalization, and beautiful UI components. It's extremely modular, lightweight, and easy to learn.

angular

We want to secure our file storage so not just anyone can upload files to our Cloud Firestore.

We'll go through Cloud Storage Security rules to add rules and restrictions to our bucket server-side. You'll notice that the default rules for storage are the same as the database in that they are open to anyone for 30 days.

There are a few restrictions that we will implement:
    - Only allowing authenticated users to upload files.
    - Restrict the size of the files we want to upload.
    - Restrict the type of files we want to upload. (__i.e: only accept images or pdfs__)


Restrict File Uploading to Firebase Cloud Firestore with Cloud Storage Security Rules

Users can now see that files are attached to tasks but they can't do much with that. We need to let users be able to download the files so we'll do that in this lesson. 

We'll create a button for users to download the files they have in their tasks. We take a JavaScript first approach here by creating an anchor tag and adding all of the properties we need to allow for a download.


Download Files from Firebase Cloud Storage in Angular

Ionic is the beautiful, free and open source mobile SDK for developing native and progressive web apps with ease.

ionic

Now that file uploading works, we want to actually show that a task has files associated with it. To do this we will need to update the task object with a file property that we'll push files too.

In this lesson, we'll use Cloud Storage methods like getDownloadUrl() to get the file's download URL from our bucket.

Then we'll add that file's information to our task and persist it in the database to show the list of files in a task to the user.

While we do this, you'll see how we can easily add a spinner when files are being uploaded using Ionic loadingController.


Save and Display Tasks Files Utilizing Firebase Cloud Storage getDownloadUrl

We want our users to have more power by uploading and downloading files to the tasks they create.

In this lesson, we'll start creating the functionality that will allow our users to upload files. I went ahead and created the UI and click handler for this feature so we can focus on the actual file uploading.

We'll use the browser's `<input type="file">` to select files from our device and then we'll use Cloud Storage methods to upload the file to our storage bucket.


Upload Files to Firebase Cloud Storage with AngularFire storage uploadBytes

Our Security Rules are getting repetitive with all the logic that we've copy and pasted for the several actions we currently have.

In this lesson, we'll go through our security rules and extract the duplicated rules into functions that we can call.

With this approach, we can eliminate the copy/pasting and make our functions a bit more readable.


Refactor Firebase Security Rules to Use Functions for Easier Reading

Currently our Firebase Security Rules aren't as secure as they could be. When it comes to tasks, we are comparing the request's user on the task to the requests auth id. If someone intercepted this request and changed the ids here they could get away with it.

In this lesson, we'll go through our security rules and create a different set of security rules depending on the action the user is performing. For tasks specifically we will check the documents user id against the request user id.

We'll take things a step further as well and write different rules if a user is trying to create, delete, or update a task document.


Break Up Firebase Security Rules Into Different Actions Depending on Operation Performed

All the security we've added to our application has been client side. In a production app this isn't enough, we want to add security to our database directly.

We'll start securing our application's database with Firestore Security Rules.

We'll write security rules to prevent unauthenticated users from accessing our database, and then we'll add extra rules so that only a document's owner can access that document.


Secure your Firestore Data with Security Rules

Creating powerful and context-aware tools for Cursor IDE becomes straightforward when leveraging information directly from your current project. In this lesson, you'll learn how to build a custom MCP (model context protocol) tool that intelligently requests essential details—such as the current project path and conversation summaries—from your Cursor project.

Workflow demonstrated in this lesson:

- Define MCP tool parameters to request specific project details.
- Pass project path and conversation summaries into your MCP tool.
- Automatically write or update files within your current project using these parameters.

Key benefits:

- Automate tasks with precision based on your active project's context.
- Simplify interactions by creating AI-driven CLI commands tailored to your needs.
- Open endless possibilities for integrating external APIs and advanced automation.

Through this practical demonstration, you'll gain a versatile technique for enhancing your development workflow in Cursor IDE.

[https://github.com/johnlindquist/mcp-cursor-tool-starter](https://github.com/johnlindquist/mcp-cursor-tool-starter)

John Lindquist

Build MCP Tools Using Project Context for Custom Cursor IDE Automation

Setting up custom MCP (Machine Command Protocol) servers in Cursor can involve tedious steps, such as configuring node paths or referencing additional commands. This lesson shows how to streamline this process by bundling your MCP server directly into a standalone executable.

Workflow demonstrated in this lesson:

- Use a simple MCP server project starter.
- Run a single bundling command to create an executable.
- Right-click the generated executable, copy its full path, and add that directly to your Cursor settings.

Key benefits:

- Eliminates the need for complex node path configurations.
- Simplifies the setup and integration of custom MCP servers into Cursor.
- Makes the server executable instantly accessible within your Cursor environment.

By following this streamlined approach, you can quickly and easily integrate custom MCP servers into Cursor, making your development workflow cleaner and more efficient.

[https://github.com/johnlindquist/mcp-cursor-tool-starter]()

Easy MCP Server Setup in Cursor IDE with Bundled Executables

TanStack Router is the foundation for TanStack Start, which is gaining significant attention due to its innovative approach to application development.

This course focuses on getting effective TanStack Router, a modern and scalable routing solution for React applications. You will learn how to:
- set up and scaffold new applications,
- use file-based routing
- create nested routes
- manage dynamic route parameters and more.

The course covers advanced features like route loaders, caching strategies, and lifecycle hooks, which are crucial for enhancing application performance and user experience.

By understanding TanStack Router, you can build more efficient, type-safe, and maintainable applications, leveraging its integration with data fetching libraries like TanStack Query.

This knowledge is essential for developers looking to improve their routing skills and stay ahead in the field.

Tomasz Ducin

Up and Running with Tanstack Router and React

Learn TanStack Router for React: set up apps, use file-based routing, manage routes, and boost app performance.


In this lesson, we explore how TanStack Router integrates with the [native browser history API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/History) to manage navigation.

As we navigate through different routes, the URL changes are stored in the browser's history, allowing users to use the forward and backward buttons to traverse their navigation history.

This functionality also **enables permalinks**, meaning users can copy and paste URLs to access specific routes directly.

Additionally, we learn how to programmatically interact with the history object to move forward or backward through the navigation stack, enhancing the user experience by providing full control over navigation actions.

This compatibility with the native history API ensures that TanStack Router applications behave similarly to traditional websites, offering a seamless and intuitive user experience.

Browse History in Tanstack Router

Browse history in TanStack React Router using the native history API for seamless navigation

In this lesson, we explore how to hook into TanStack Router's lifecycle hooks to execute custom logic during route changes.

The hooks we'll look into are: `onEnter`, `onStay`, and `onLeave`, which are triggered when entering, staying within, or leaving a route, respectively.

All hooks receive a detailed match parameter, providing information about the route's path, ID, and tons of other details.

This allows for the implementation of features like animations or logging when navigating between routes.

We also learn how to use these hooks to track and manage state changes as users interact with the application, making it easier to implement complex behaviors based on route transitions.

Hook into Route Lifecycle Hooks in Tanstack Router

Hook into TanStack React Router's lifecycle hooks for custom route logic and animations.

In this lesson, we learn how to handle not found errors in TanStack Router by using the `notFoundComponent` at both nested and global levels.

To trigger the display of a `notFoundComponent`, we must throw a specific error using the `notFound` function within a loader or other lifecycle method of a route. This approach allows us to provide custom error messages for specific routes or globally across the application.

We explore how to define a notFoundComponent within a specific route's configuration and how to set a `defaultNotFoundComponent` at the router global level, which applies to all routes unless overridden locally. This flexibility ensures that users receive meaningful feedback when encountering non-existent routes.

Provide NotFoundComponent at Nested Route or Global Level in Tanstack Router

Handle notFound errors in TanStack Router with notFoundComponent at nested or global levels.



In this lesson, we learn how to access dynamic route parameters using the `useParams` hook in TanStack Router.

When used with a specific `Route` object, `useParams` provides type-safe access to route parameters, ensuring that TypeScript knows the exact types of these parameters.

This approach eliminates the possibility of undefined/optional values, making it safer for accessing parameters like `employeeId`.

However, when using `useParams` globally without specifying a route, it requires an options object with `{ strict: false }`, which reduces type safety.

In this case, the hook can access parameters from any route in the application, but it does not guarantee their existence or type. This flexibility allows components to be reused across different routes, but it requires careful handling of potential errors.



Access Dynamic Route Parameters with useParams in Tanstack Router

Access dynamic route parameters with useParams in TanStack React Router for type-safe routing.

In this lesson, we learn how to reorganize file-based routes in TanStack Router to accommodate nested routing structures.

We explore how to create additional nested routes by converting files into directories, allowing for further nesting.

For example, to create a nested route like `/employees/$employeeId/edit`, we can create a **directory** (!) named `$employeeId` and place an `index.tsx` file inside it to define the route component for this nested route.

This approach provides flexibility in organizing files while maintaining the convention that file names and locations align with route paths. We also see how to adapt existing components and loaders to work with these reorganized routes, enabling features like edit forms or delete actions (or whatever) within nested routes.


Reorganize File-Based Routes in Tanstack Router

Reorganize file-based routes in TanStack Router for flexible nested routing.



In this lesson, we learn how to parametrize the loader for a nested route in TanStack Router.

We focus on a nested route like `/employees/$employeeId`, where the `$employeeId` is a **dynamic parameter**.

To fetch data for this route, we use a `loader` function that accesses the `$employeeId` parameter. This is achieved by using the params object available in the `loader` function, which contains the dynamic segments of the URL. We then use this parameter to call a function like `getEmployeeById`, which fetches specific employee details from an API.

We highlights that TanStack Router **automatically infers types** for these parameters, ensuring type safety for nested routes.

Parametrize Route Loader for Nested Route in Tanstack Router

Parametrize nested route loaders in TanStack Router using path parameters

In this lesson, we learn how to create nested routes and outlets in TanStack Router using file-based routing.

We start by creating a new `employees` directory and files to represent nested routes, such as `/employees/$employeeId`. The `$` symbol is used to denote dynamic parameters.

We then use the `<Link>` component from TanStack Router to create links to these nested routes, passing necessary parameters.

To render the nested content, we use the `<Outlet>` component (nested), which automatically renders child routes. This approach allows us to dynamically display stuff under a nested route.

All the time, the TanStack Router generator automatically updates the route tree based on file changes - our routing configuration remains consistent 🔥



Create Nested Route and Nested Outlets in Tanstack Router

Create nested routes and outlets in TanStack Router using file-based routing

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