BranchXPP Backend

Backend service for the Branch social media app, a plant-focused platform helping users track plant care, share updates, and interact with the community. This backend powers the mobile app built with React Native.

Overview

This project provides a Django REST API that manages user accounts, plant data, reminders, notifications, and social features. It was deployed on Heroku.

The backend integrates with AWS S3 for media storage and supports sensor-based plant care reminders through Arduino and Bluetooth modules.

Features

Plant Management

• Create, update, and manage user plants
• Store plant images in AWS S3
• Designed to work with a TensorFlow image classifier on the frontend

Smart Care Reminders

• Endpoints for scheduling and retrieving watering and care reminders
• Bluetooth-based notifications supported via sensor integration

Social Features

• Upload plant photos
• Likes, comments, and user interactions
• User profiles and authentication

Hardware Integration

• Compatible with Arduino humidity sensor data
• Supports Bluetooth notifications to alert users about plant care

Tech Stack

• Backend: Django, Django REST Framework
• Storage: AWS S3
• Deployment: Heroku
• Integration: Arduino + Bluetooth humidity sensor
• Frontend: React Native app (linked below)

Setup Instructions

Prerequisites

• Python 3.9 or later
• pip / virtualenv / pipenv
• AWS credentials for S3

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/ritsth/branchxpp.git
   cd branchxpp
   python3 -m venv venv
   source venv/bin/activate
   pip install -r requirements.txt
   python manage.py migrate
   python manage.py runserver

Project Structure

   branchxpp/
   │
   ├── branchxpp/ # Main project settings and URLs
   ├── myplant/ # App with models, serializers, views
   ├── static/ # Static assets and images
   │
   ├── manage.py # Django management script
   ├── requirements.txt # Dependencies
   ├── Procfile # Heroku process config
   ├── runtime.txt # Python version
   └── db.sqlite3 # Local dev database

Deployment

The backend was deployed on Heroku using:

• gunicorn
• whitenoise
• Heroku Postgres
• AWS S3 buckets for static and media files

To redeploy, push changes to Heroku or use a CI/CD pipeline.

Related Projects

• Frontend Repository:
  https://github.com/ritsth/ReactNativeApp-Branch

• Live App:
  https://branchapp.xyz/ (currently offline)

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.