StackApps

StackApps is a discovery and proof layer for indie, browser-ready PWA SaaS: a curated public directory (“The Stackhouse”) where builders can list apps and, when live-approved, receive crawler-visible trust surfaces like a server-rendered listing backlink, an embeddable “StackApps Verified” badge, and a site readiness scan for search + AI crawler signals. StackApps is the channel and credibility layer — it is not the business tool itself.

For the long-term strategy and product framing, see VISION.md.

Tech stack

• Frontend: React + TypeScript + Vite
• Auth/Data/Storage: Firebase Auth + Firestore + Storage
• Backend: FastAPI (Python) on Cloud Run
• Hosting: Firebase Hosting

Running locally

Environment variables

Frontend (client/.env.example → copy to client/.env.local):

• VITE_FIREBASE_API_KEY
• VITE_FIREBASE_AUTH_DOMAIN
• VITE_FIREBASE_PROJECT_ID
• VITE_FIREBASE_STORAGE_BUCKET
• VITE_FIREBASE_MESSAGING_SENDER_ID
• VITE_FIREBASE_APP_ID

Backend (copy .env.example → .env.local or export in your shell):

• FIREBASE_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_KEY (JSON string of a Firebase Admin service account key)
• GOOGLEAI_API_KEY (Gemini API key)
• GOOGLE_SAFE_BROWSING_API_KEY

Notes:

• Admin emails are hardcoded in firestore.rules and client/src/lib/admins.ts (and should be replaced before deploying).
• The backend reads GOOGLEAI_API_KEY (some teams name this GEMINI_API_KEY in their own deployments; keep the variable name aligned with code unless you intentionally change it).

Install + run

npm install
npm run dev

Deploying

Build then deploy hosting:

npm run build
firebase deploy --only hosting

Strategic context

See VISION.md.