# Getting Started

This guide gets the solution running locally and explains what happens during startup.

## What is in this solution

- `Htmx.ApiDemo`: ASP.NET Core app (Minimal API + generated HTMX endpoints)
- `Htmx.SourceGenerator`: Roslyn source generator that discovers `.htmx` files and generates endpoint mapping code
- `Htmx.slnx`: solution file at the repository root

## Prerequisites

- .NET SDK 10.x (target framework is `net10.0`)
- Node.js + npm (used for Tailwind CSS compilation during build)
- MongoDB running locally on `mongodb://localhost:27017`

## First-time setup

From the repository root:

```bash
cd Htmx.ApiDemo
npm install
```

Why this is required:

- The app build runs Tailwind via `npx @tailwindcss/cli ...` in a custom MSBuild target.
- Without `npm install`, build fails because the Tailwind CLI package is missing.

## Run the app

From the repository root:

```bash
dotnet run --project Htmx.ApiDemo/Htmx.ApiDemo.csproj
```

Default local URL:

- `http://localhost:5120`

This comes from the launch profile in `Htmx.ApiDemo/Properties/launchSettings.json`.

## Verify it works

1. Open `http://localhost:5120`
2. If you are not authenticated, middleware redirects to `/login`
3. Create an account at `/register`
4. Sign in and navigate the app

## What startup config does

`Htmx.ApiDemo/Program.cs` configures:

- MongoDB DI and index initialization (`EnsureIndexesAsync`)
- Cookie authentication + authorization
- Antiforgery middleware
- AOT-friendly JSON resolver chain using `AppJsonSerializerContext`
- Endpoint registration via generated mapping call:
  - `app.MapHtmxApiDemoEndpoints();`

## Build behavior worth knowing

- Tailwind CSS is compiled before build into `Htmx.ApiDemo/wwwroot/css/output.css`
- `.htmx` files are treated as generator inputs (`<AdditionalFiles Include="**/*.htmx" />`)
- AOT is enabled (`<PublishAot>true</PublishAot>`), so reflection-heavy patterns can break publish/runtime

## Optional: publish as AOT

```bash
dotnet publish Htmx.ApiDemo/Htmx.ApiDemo.csproj -c Release
```

Use this early to catch AOT issues while developing features.

## Troubleshooting

### Build fails on Tailwind command

- Run `npm install` inside `Htmx.ApiDemo`
- Confirm `node -v` and `npm -v` are available

### Mongo connection errors

- Confirm MongoDB is running on `localhost:27017`
- Confirm `ConnectionStrings:DefaultConnection` in `Htmx.ApiDemo/appsettings.json`

### App keeps redirecting to login

- This is expected for unauthenticated routes
- Register at `/register` or sign in at `/login`