About
Introduction
The Task API is a REST API for managing task lists. It uses JWT authentication to protect user data and is built with Node.js, Express, and SQLite. Its lightweight design makes it suitable for personal projects or small deployments.
Tech stack: Node.js • Express • SQLite • JWT authentication
Getting started
If you're new to the Task API:
- Install and run the API locally → Setup Guide
- Make your first request → Developer Quickstart
Documentation
- Setup Guide: install and configure the API locally
- Getting Started: create your first user and task
- API Reference: full list of endpoints and request formats
Base URL
Local development
http://localhost:3000
Production example
https://api.example.com
What you can do with this API
- Register a new user
- Log in and receive an authentication token
- Create tasks
- Retrieve and manage task lists
Task API workflow
flowchart LR
A[Client] -->|HTTP Request| B[Task API]
B -->|Public routes| C[Auth Endpoints]
B -->|Protected routes| D[Task Endpoints]
D -->|JWT verified| E[(SQLite Database)]
C -->|Token issued| E
Who this documentation is for
This documentation is for developers using the Task API as a backend for to-do apps. It covers authentication and CRUD endpoints to help build a frontend without starting the backend from scratch. It also serves as a guide for those wanting to learn about authenticated REST APIs. Developers can see how JWT authentication, password hashing, and protected routes work together in a real Node.js application.
What's in this documentation
The following sections help you get up and running with the Task API:
- Setup: how to deploy the API on a server
- Getting Started: create an account and make your first request
- Authentication Guide: how JWT authentication works in this API
- API Reference: all endpoints with request and response examples
- System Architecture: how the components fit together
- Troubleshooting: common errors and how to fix them
Start here
If the Task API isn't installed yet, see Setup before continuing.