Get Started- Complete documentation overview

This document explains why ShipSafe uses TypeScript, Next.js, Firebase, Stripe, and other technologies. Each choice prioritizes security, developer experience, and production-readiness.

🎯 Core Philosophy

ShipSafe's tech stack is built on three principles:

  1. Security-First - Every technology choice prioritizes security and best practices
  2. Developer Experience - Tools that make development fast and enjoyable
  3. Production-Ready - Technologies proven at scale in real SaaS applications

📘 TypeScript (TS/TSX)

Why TypeScript?

Type Safety = Security

  • Catch errors at compile time - TypeScript catches bugs before they reach production
  • Prevent runtime errors - Type checking prevents common mistakes like undefined access
  • Better IDE support - Autocomplete and IntelliSense help prevent typos and errors
  • Self-documenting code - Types serve as inline documentation
  • Refactoring confidence - Safe refactoring with type checking

Security Benefits:

  • Prevents type confusion attacks
  • Ensures API contracts are maintained
  • Validates data structures before processing
  • Reduces injection vulnerabilities through type checking

Example:

// TypeScript catches this at compile time
function processUser(user: User) {
  return user.email.toUpperCase(); // ✅ Type-safe
}

// Without TypeScript, this could crash at runtime
function processUser(user) {
  return user.email.toUpperCase(); // ❌ Could be undefined
}

Why TSX?

  • Component type safety - Props are validated at compile time
  • JSX validation - Ensures correct component usage
  • Better tooling - Enhanced React DevTools and IDE support

⚡ Next.js (App Router)

Why Next.js?

Modern Full-Stack Framework

  • Server Components by default - Better security (no client-side data exposure)
  • Built-in API routes - Secure server-side endpoints
  • Automatic code splitting - Better performance and security
  • SEO optimized - Server-side rendering for better discoverability
  • Edge-ready - Deploy to edge networks for global performance

Security Benefits:

  • Server-side rendering - Sensitive data never exposed to client
  • API route protection - Built-in middleware support for auth/rate limiting
  • Automatic HTTPS - Production deployments enforce HTTPS
  • CSRF protection - Built-in support for CSRF tokens
  • Environment variable security - Server-only variables never leak to client

App Router Advantages:

  • File-based routing - Clear, predictable route structure
  • Layout system - Shared layouts reduce code duplication
  • Streaming - Better performance and user experience
  • Metadata API - SEO and security headers built-in

Why Next.js 15+?

  • Latest React features (Server Components, Server Actions)
  • Improved performance and security
  • Better developer experience
  • Industry standard for SaaS applications

🔥 Firebase (Authentication + Firestore)

Why Firebase?

Secure, Scalable Backend

Firebase Authentication:

  • Industry-standard security - Google-backed authentication system
  • Multiple providers - Email/password, OAuth (Google, GitHub, etc.)
  • Token-based auth - Secure JWT tokens for API authentication
  • Built-in security - Password hashing, rate limiting, brute-force protection
  • Admin SDK - Server-side verification for secure operations

Security Benefits:

  • No password storage - Firebase handles password hashing securely
  • Token verification - Server-side token validation prevents spoofing
  • Session management - Automatic token refresh and expiration
  • OAuth security - Industry-standard OAuth 2.0 implementation
  • Custom claims - Role-based access control (RBAC)

Firestore Database:

  • Real-time security rules - Database-level access control
  • Offline support - Works without internet connection
  • Scalable - Handles millions of documents
  • Type-safe queries - TypeScript support for queries
  • Automatic backups - Built-in data protection

Why Not Self-Hosted?

  • Security expertise - Google's security team maintains the infrastructure
  • Compliance - SOC 2, ISO 27001 certified
  • Uptime - 99.95% SLA
  • No maintenance - Focus on building features, not infrastructure
  • Cost-effective - Pay only for what you use

💳 Stripe

Why Stripe?

Secure Payment Processing

  • PCI DSS Level 1 - Highest level of payment security certification
  • Tokenization - Card data never touches your servers
  • Webhook security - Signed webhooks prevent tampering
  • Subscription management - Built-in subscription lifecycle handling
  • Global support - Works in 40+ countries

Security Benefits:

  • No card data storage - Stripe handles all sensitive payment data
  • Webhook signature verification - Ensures webhooks are from Stripe
  • Idempotency keys - Prevents duplicate charges
  • 3D Secure - Additional authentication for high-risk transactions
  • Fraud prevention - Built-in fraud detection and prevention

Developer Benefits:

  • Simple API - Easy to integrate and test
  • Excellent documentation - Comprehensive guides and examples
  • Test mode - Safe testing with test cards
  • Webhook reliability - Automatic retries and idempotency

🎨 TailwindCSS + DaisyUI

Why TailwindCSS?

Utility-First CSS Framework

  • No CSS files to maintain - Styles are co-located with components
  • Consistent design - Design system enforced through utilities
  • Small bundle size - Only used classes are included
  • Fast development - Write styles directly in JSX
  • Type-safe - TypeScript support for class names

Security Benefits:

  • No inline styles - Reduces XSS attack surface
  • Consistent styling - Prevents style injection vulnerabilities
  • Build-time optimization - Dead code elimination

Why DaisyUI?

Component Library Built on Tailwind

  • Pre-built components - Buttons, forms, modals, etc.
  • Accessible by default - WCAG compliant components
  • Theme system - Easy light/dark mode switching
  • Consistent design - All components follow same design language
  • Zero JavaScript - Pure CSS components (faster, more secure)

Benefits:

  • Faster development - No need to build components from scratch
  • Better UX - Accessible, tested components
  • Easy customization - Tailwind utilities for quick changes
  • Production-ready - Components tested in real applications

✅ Zod

Why Zod?

Runtime Type Validation

  • Schema validation - Validate API inputs at runtime
  • Type inference - Automatic TypeScript types from schemas
  • Security - Prevents invalid data from reaching business logic
  • Error messages - Clear validation error messages
  • Composable - Build complex schemas from simple ones

Security Benefits:

  • Input validation - Prevents injection attacks
  • Type coercion - Ensures data types are correct
  • Sanitization - Can sanitize inputs during validation
  • API security - Validates all API route inputs

Example:

import { z } from "zod";

const userSchema = z.object({
  email: z.string().email(),
  password: z.string().min(8),
});

// Type-safe and validated
const user = userSchema.parse(requestBody);

📧 Resend

Why Resend?

Modern Email Service

  • Simple API - Easy to integrate
  • High deliverability - Better inbox placement
  • React email templates - Type-safe email components
  • Webhook support - Track email events
  • Developer-friendly - Great documentation and DX

Security Benefits:

  • API key security - Server-side only email sending
  • SPF/DKIM - Built-in email authentication
  • Rate limiting - Prevents email abuse
  • Webhook verification - Secure webhook handling

🏗️ Architecture Decisions

Domain-Driven Structure

Why features/ folder?

  • Separation of concerns - Business logic separate from UI
  • Scalability - Easy to add new features
  • Testability - Logic can be tested independently
  • Security - Clear boundaries for security checks

Why lib/ folder?

  • Reusable utilities - Shared code across features
  • Integration code - Firebase, Stripe, etc. integrations
  • Security utilities - Rate limiting, CSRF, etc.
  • Type safety - Shared types and interfaces

Server Components by Default

Why Server Components?

  • Security - Sensitive data never sent to client
  • Performance - Less JavaScript sent to browser
  • SEO - Content rendered on server
  • Cost - Less client-side processing

When to Use Client Components?

  • User interactions (forms, buttons)
  • Browser APIs (localStorage, window)
  • Real-time updates (WebSockets)
  • Third-party libraries requiring client

🔒 Security-First Stack

Every technology in ShipSafe's stack was chosen with security in mind:

  1. TypeScript - Prevents type-related vulnerabilities
  2. Next.js - Server-side rendering and API route security
  3. Firebase - Industry-standard authentication and database security
  4. Stripe - PCI-compliant payment processing
  5. Zod - Runtime input validation
  6. Resend - Secure email delivery

🚀 Production-Ready

This stack is used by:

  • Next.js - Used by Vercel, Netflix, TikTok, Hulu
  • Firebase - Used by Google, Alibaba, Duolingo
  • Stripe - Used by Amazon, Shopify, Zoom
  • TypeScript - Used by Microsoft, Airbnb, Slack

Proven at Scale:

  • Handles millions of users
  • Battle-tested in production
  • Active maintenance and updates
  • Strong community support

📚 Learning Resources

Want to learn more about these technologies?

✅ Summary

ShipSafe's tech stack prioritizes:

  1. Security - Every tool has security built-in
  2. Developer Experience - Fast development with great tooling
  3. Production-Ready - Technologies proven at scale
  4. Maintainability - Clear structure and type safety
  5. Scalability - Handles growth from startup to enterprise

This combination makes ShipSafe:

  • ✅ Secure by default
  • ✅ Fast to develop
  • ✅ Easy to maintain
  • ✅ Ready for production
  • ✅ Scalable to millions of users