CollabNest

📌 Overview

CollabNest is a platform that bridges the gap between students, mentors, and professors, allowing students to participate in structured projects and gain practical experience.

🚀 Features

• ✅ Project-Based Learning – Students can browse and join projects.
• ✅ Mentor-Guided System – Senior students mentor juniors.
• ✅ Professor Collaboration – Professors can list research opportunities.
• ✅ Smart Recommendations – AI-powered project suggestions.
• ✅ Gamification – XP points, badges, and leaderboards.
• ✅ Auto-Certification – Generates certificates upon project completion.

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🏗 Tech Stack

🔹 Frontend

• Next.js – UI framework
• Tailwind CSS – Styling

🔹 Backend

• Node.js – Server
• Nest.js – API framework
• MongoDB – NoSQL database
• Mongoose – ODM for MongoDB

🔹 Authentication & Security

• MicroSoft Auth – Secure authentication
• RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) – Manage user roles

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🛠 Installation & Setup

1️⃣ Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/shashwatvegeta/collabnest.git
cd collabnest

2️⃣ Run Backend

cd backend
npm install  # Install backend dependencies
npm run start  # Run server code

2️⃣ Run Frontend

cd frontend
npm install  # Install frontend dependencies
npm run dev  # Run client side code

3️⃣ Set Up Environment Variables

Create a .env file in the root directory and add:

MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_uri
CLOUDINARY_API_KEY=your_api_key
CLOUDINARY_API_SECRET=your_api_secret