Password Reset

Goal

This snapshot advances Ironclad Gazette by teaching you to issue expiring one-use password reset tokens.

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

Prerequisites

Use Java 17+, Maven, a terminal, and Docker for MySQL stages. You should recognize classes, annotations, and HTTP verbs.

Port 8080 must be free. Copy .env.example before starting database stages.

• Java 17 and Maven
• A code editor and terminal
• Docker from part 4 onward

Concepts

Store a random token and expiry on the user. Locally print the link to the console instead of requiring SMTP.

Keep controllers thin: accept input, delegate to repositories or services, and let Thymeleaf escape output by default.

Walkthrough

Create a forgot-password form, save a token, and complete the reset only when the token is valid and unexpired.

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

System.out.println("[mail] " + appUrl + "/reset-password/" + token);

Run and verify

Enter 11-Password-Reset, start MySQL when needed, copy .env.example, and run mvn spring-boot:run on port 8080.

Open http://127.0.0.1:8080. Watch the terminal for validation and database errors.

docker compose -f ../docker-compose.yml up -d
git clone https://github.com/michaeldunga1/fcc-spring-blog.git
cd fcc-spring-blog/11-Password-Reset
cp .env.example .env
mvn spring-boot:run

Troubleshooting

Always show a generic success message so attackers cannot probe which emails exist.

Connection refused usually means Docker MySQL is stopped or the port is not 3308. For auth issues, confirm you are using email (not username) on the login form.

• Read the first error first
• Restart after environment changes
• Never commit .env or uploads

Try this

Request a reset for Ada and complete it from the console link.

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