# Introduction

## Architecture Overview

Smart Resource Connect utilizes a modern, cloud-based architecture designed for scalability, ease of deployment, and global accessibility. It follows a decoupled Jamstack approach, separating frontend user interfaces from backend data services, ensuring fast performance and robust security.

### Key Technologies

* **Frontend:** Next.js (React)
* **Deployment & Hosting:** Netlify
* **Code Repository:** GitHub
* **Design System:** Tailwind CSS
* **HTTP Client:** Axios
* **Backend Database & Authentication:** Supabase
* **CDN and Security:** Cloudflare

## API Specifications

Smart Resource Connect provides a REST API for third-party integrations, enabling external systems to submit surplus listings, post resource needs, and query for matches.

### Authentication and Security

* Bearer Token Authentication (JWT)
* HTTPS required for all API calls

### Core API Endpoints

* `GET /v1/surplus`: List surplus resources
* `GET /v1/demand`: List resource demands
* `POST /v1/surplus`: Create surplus listing
* `POST /v1/demand`: Create demand listing
* `GET /v1/surplus/{id}`: Get surplus details
* `GET /v1/demand/{id}`: Get demand details
* `GET /v1/match`: Matchmaking endpoint
* `PUT/PATCH /v1/surplus/{id}`: Update surplus listings
* `PUT/PATCH /v1/demand/{id}`: Update demand listings

## Open Standard Documentation

Smart Resource Connect advocates for an open standard for describing surplus resources and demands, facilitating global interoperability.

### Surplus Resource Schema

```json
{
  "id": "string",
  "title": "string",
  "description": "string",
  "category": "string",
  "quantity": "number",
  "unit": "string",
  "location": "string",
  "availableUntil": "string",
  "provider": "string",
  "status": "string",
  "postedAt": "string"
}
```

### Demand Schema

```json
{
  "id": "string",
  "title": "string",
  "description": "string",
  "category": "string",
  "quantity": "number",
  "unit": "string",
  "location": "string",
  "neededBy": "string",
  "requester": "string",
  "status": "string",
  "postedAt": "string"
}
```

### Best Practices

* Use standardized categories and units
* Provide clear and concise titles
* Include relevant details in descriptions
* Maintain consistent location data
* Regularly update listing statuses

## Licensing Recommendation

Smart Resource Connect employs an open-source licensing strategy:

* **Software Code:** Apache License 2.0
* **Content and Standards:** Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0)

This licensing ensures broad adoption, collaboration, and trust, allowing free use, modification, and distribution with proper attribution.

***

This documentation is structured for clarity and ease of integration into GitBook, emphasizing the open-source and open-standard nature of the Smart Resource Connect solution.