CookSmart

CookSmart is an Expo React Native app for ingredient scanning, recipe discovery, favorites, and meal-planning flows. The mobile app uses Firebase Auth and an Express API backed by MongoDB for saved favorites and activity history.

Stack

• Expo + React Native
• Firebase Authentication
• Express
• MongoDB Atlas + Mongoose
• Spoonacular API

App Setup

1. Install the mobile app dependencies:

npm install

2. Install the API dependencies:

npm --prefix server install

3. Set the mobile app environment variables in the root .env file:

EXPO_PUBLIC_API_URL=http://YOUR_LOCAL_IP:5000
EXPO_PUBLIC_SPOONACULAR_API_KEY=your_spoonacular_key
EXPO_PUBLIC_ANTHROPIC_KEY=your_anthropic_key

4. Set the API environment variables in server/.env:

PORT=5000
MONGODB_URI=mongodb+srv://username:[email protected]/cooksmart?retryWrites=true&w=majority

5. Start the Mongo-backed API:

npm run server

6. Start Expo in a second terminal:

npm start

MongoDB Integration

The Express API in server/src/index.js persists:

• favorites in server/src/models/favorite.js
• search and detail activity in server/src/models/history.js

The mobile app reads and writes that data through src/services/api.js.

To verify the API is connected, open http://localhost:5000/health. A healthy response now includes the MongoDB connection state.

Notes

• On a real phone, EXPO_PUBLIC_API_URL must use your computer's local network IP, not localhost.
• Favorites are deduplicated per user and title to avoid duplicate saves from repeated taps.