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Prerequisites

Before setting up the backend, ensure you have:
  • .NET 9.0 SDK or later
  • PostgreSQL database server
  • Visual Studio 2022 or VS Code with C# extension
  • Entity Framework Core CLI tools

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Project Structure Overview

The Huellitas backend follows a clean architecture pattern with four distinct projects: 
huellitasBackEnd/
├── Huellitas.API/          # Web API controllers and configuration
├── Huellitas.Core/         # Domain entities, DTOs, and interfaces
├── Huellitas.Data/         # Data access, repositories, and EF context
├── Huellitas.Service/      # Business logic and service layer
└── Huellitas.sln           # Solution file

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Installation Steps

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1. Clone the Repository

git clone <repository-url>
cd huellitasBackEnd

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2. Install Dependencies

Restore NuGet packages for all projects: 
dotnet restore
Key Dependencies:
  • Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication.JwtBearer (9.0.0) - JWT authentication
  • Npgsql.EntityFrameworkCore.PostgreSQL (9.0.2) - PostgreSQL provider
  • Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Design (9.0.0) - EF Core migrations
  • Swashbuckle.AspNetCore (10.1.0) - API documentation
  • BCrypt.Net - Password hashing

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3. Configure Database Connection

Create an appsettings.json file in the Huellitas.API/ directory: 
{
  "Logging": {
    "LogLevel": {
      "Default": "Information",
      "Microsoft.AspNetCore": "Warning"
    }
  },
  "AllowedHosts": "*",
  "ConnectionStrings": {
    "DefaultConnection": "Host=localhost;Database=huellitas;Username=your_user;Password=your_password"
  },
  "Jwt": {
    "Key": "your-secret-key-min-32-characters-long",
    "Issuer": "HuellitasAPI",
    "Audience": "HuellitasClients"
  }
}
The JWT Key must be at least 32 characters long for security purposes. Never commit this file with production secrets to version control.

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4. Create the Database

Create a PostgreSQL database: 
psql -U postgres
CREATE DATABASE huellitas;
\q

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5. Run Migrations

Apply Entity Framework migrations to create database tables: 
cd Huellitas.API
dotnet ef database update
This will create the following tables:
  • Usuario - User accounts
  • Rol - User roles (Admin, Cliente)
  • Categoria - Product categories
  • producto - Products
  • Pedido - Orders
  • Detalle - Order details

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6. Run the Application

Start the development server: 
dotnet run
The API will be available at:
  • HTTP: http://localhost:5000
  • HTTPS: https://localhost:5001
  • Swagger UI: https://localhost:5001/swagger

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Configuration Details

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CORS Policy

The API is configured to accept requests from any origin (PermitirFrontend policy):
Program.cs:54
builder.Services.AddCors(options =>
{
   options.AddPolicy("PermitirFrontend",
        policy =>
        {
            policy.AllowAnyOrigin()
                  .AllowAnyHeader()
                  .AllowAnyMethod();
        });
});
In production, restrict CORS to specific origins for security.

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JWT Authentication

Authentication is configured in Program.cs:14-42 using Bearer tokens:
Program.cs:25
builder.Services.AddAuthentication(options =>
{
    options.DefaultAuthenticateScheme = JwtBearerDefaults.AuthenticationScheme;
    options.DefaultChallengeScheme = JwtBearerDefaults.AuthenticationScheme;
})
.AddJwtBearer(options =>
{
    options.TokenValidationParameters = new TokenValidationParameters
    {
        ValidateIssuerSigningKey = true,
        IssuerSigningKey = new SymmetricSecurityKey(key),
        ValidateIssuer = true,
        ValidIssuer = jwtSettings["Issuer"],
        ValidateAudience = true,
        ValidAudience = jwtSettings["Audience"],
        ValidateLifetime = true
    };
});

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Dependency Injection

Services and repositories are registered in Program.cs:65-68:
Program.cs:65
builder.Services.AddScoped<IProductoRepositorio, ProductoRepositorio>();
builder.Services.AddScoped<IProductoService, ProductoService>();
builder.Services.AddScoped<IUsuarioRepositorio, UsuarioRepositorio>();
builder.Services.AddScoped<IAuthService, AuthService>();

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Environment Variables

For production deployment, configure these environment variables:
VariableDescriptionExample
ConnectionStrings__DefaultConnectionPostgreSQL connection stringHost=db;Database=huellitas;...
Jwt__KeyJWT signing keyyour-secure-key-here
Jwt__IssuerJWT issuerHuellitasAPI
Jwt__AudienceJWT audienceHuellitasClients

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Troubleshooting

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Migration Errors

If you encounter migration errors: 
# Remove existing migrations
rm -rf Huellitas.Data/Migrations/

# Create new migration
dotnet ef migrations add Initial --project Huellitas.Data --startup-project Huellitas.API

# Apply migration
dotnet ef database update --project Huellitas.API

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JWT Configuration Error

If you see “ERROR FATAL! No se encontró la propiedad ‘Key’”, ensure your appsettings.json contains the Jwt section with a valid Key property.

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Database Connection Issues

Verify your PostgreSQL connection: 
psql -h localhost -U your_user -d huellitas

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Next Steps

Project Structure

Learn about the four-project architecture

Authentication

Understand JWT authentication implementation

Database

Explore Entity Framework and data models

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