Backend Capstone
Build and deploy a complete, tested, authenticated REST API from scratch — your first portfolio-ready backend project for hiring managers.
What you'll learn
Backend Capstone is organized into 3 focused modules. By the end you'll be comfortable with:
- Planning & Architecture
- Building the API
- Deploy & Portfolio Presentation
Course curriculum
12 lessons across 3 modules. Lessons marked Free preview are readable without an account.
Module 1. Planning & Architecture
Define requirements, design the database schema, and plan the API contract before writing a single line of code.
- 8mCapstone Project OverviewFree preview
Understand the scope and goals of the Backend Capstone: a complete, deployed, portfolio-ready API.
- 12mDesigning the Database SchemaFree preview
Design the production database schema for the Task Management API using entity relationships and normalization principles.
- 12mAPI Contract Design
Design the full REST API contract — endpoints, request bodies, and response shapes — before writing code.
- 10mProject Setup & Structure
Set up the FastAPI project with a professional directory structure, virtual environment, and initial boilerplate.
Module 2. Building the API
Implement authentication, CRUD endpoints, access control, and a full test suite.
- 15mImplementing Authentication
Implement JWT authentication with access and refresh tokens, bcrypt password hashing, and protected routes.
- 15mCRUD Endpoints & Access Control
Implement project and task CRUD with role-based access control — only owners can delete, members can edit.
- 15mTesting the API
Write a comprehensive test suite using pytest and HTTPX with a real test database.
- 10mCaching with Redis
Add Redis caching to expensive endpoints, with cache invalidation on writes.
Module 3. Deploy & Portfolio Presentation
Dockerise the capstone, set up CI/CD, deploy to a VPS with HTTPS, and write a portfolio-ready README.
- 12mDockerising the Capstone
Write the production Dockerfile and docker-compose.yml for the Task Management API.
- 12mCI/CD Pipeline for the Capstone
Set up a complete GitHub Actions pipeline: test on PR, build and deploy on merge to main.
- 10mPortfolio Presentation & README
Write a professional README that communicates your technical decisions and makes the project stand out to hiring managers.
- 8mCapstone Complete: What You Built
Review everything you built and deployed, and understand what this project demonstrates to employers.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Backend Capstone course free?
- You can preview lessons for free with no account. Full access to this Pro course is included with a Kodion Pro subscription.
- Do I need prior programming experience?
- This is a advanced course, so you'll get the most from it if you're already comfortable with the basics of programming.
- How long does Backend Capstone take to complete?
- It's 12 lessons across 3 modules, roughly 2 hours of hands-on learning. You can go entirely at your own pace.
- What will I learn?
- You'll work through Planning & Architecture, Building the API, Deploy & Portfolio Presentation, building real, applied skills through interactive lessons and coding challenges.
- Can I get help if I'm stuck?
- Yes. Kodion's built-in AI tutor gives instant, context-aware hints and explanations right inside each lesson as you code.
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