Getting Started

Goal

This snapshot advances Solstice Ledger by teaching you to create a minimal Phoenix app on port 4001.

Every numbered folder is a complete app. Run this stage independently, then compare it with the previous folder.

Prerequisites

Use Elixir 1.15+, Mix, and Docker for Postgres stages.

Port 4001 must be free. Copy .env.example before starting database stages.

• Elixir and Mix
• A code editor and terminal
• Docker from part 4 onward

Concepts

Phoenix boots a Cowboy/Bandit HTTP endpoint with a router and controllers.

Keep controllers thin: plugs prepare requests, contexts enforce rules, and HEEx escapes output by default.

Walkthrough

Return JSON from the root path on port 4001.

Read the example, then open the matching snapshot. The repository includes the surrounding setup and error handling.

def home(conn, _params), do: json(conn, %{message: "Solstice Ledger is live"})

Run and verify

Enter 01-Getting-Started, fetch deps, copy .env.example, and start Phoenix on port 4001.

Open http://127.0.0.1:4001. Watch the terminal for validation and database errors.

git clone https://github.com/michaeldunga1/fcc-phoenix-blog.git
cd fcc-phoenix-blog/01-Getting-Started
mix deps.get
cp .env.example .env
mix phx.server

Troubleshooting

If the browser cannot connect, confirm mix phx.server is running on 4001.

For database failures, confirm Docker and the solstice_NN name when applicable. Never commit .env or _build/deps secrets.

• Read the first error first
• Restart after environment changes
• Never commit secrets

Try this

Add a /health route that returns JSON ok: true.

Test a happy path and one invalid or unauthorized request.

• Make one small change
• Test it in the browser
• Compare with the next snapshot only after it works