LocalSearch

A terminal-based local business directory application built with Node.js. Users can browse, search, create, and review local businesses — all from the command line.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

This software was presented at the Ohio FBLA 2026 and FBLA National Leadership conferences. Please refer to the following information in light of project details:

Sources & Libraries

Can be located in ./libraries.txt

Compiled with nodeJS

Hosting provided by Render

Overview

LocalSearch has two main parts: a backend REST API built with Express, and a terminal UI frontend built with neo-blessed. Users log in or sign up, then browse and interact with business listings without ever leaving the terminal.

Features

• User authentication with login and signup flows, including a two-step verification code system
• Browse and search local businesses by name, area code, or category
• Create new business listings
• Leave star ratings and comments on businesses
• Persistent data storage via @willdevv12/simplestore

Project Structure

LocalSearch/
├── app/                    # Terminal UI (neo-blessed frontend)
│   ├── app.js              # Entry point for the UI
│   ├── api/                # API communication layer
│   │   ├── loginHandler.js
│   │   ├── requestAPI.js
│   │   ├── requestData.js
│   │   ├── search.js
│   │   └── comments.js
│   ├── screens/            # Full-screen views
│   │   ├── login.js
│   │   ├── homepage.js
│   │   ├── searchForm.js
│   │   └── results.js
│   └── modules/            # Reusable UI components
│       ├── loginForm.js
│       ├── searchResults.js
│       ├── descriptionBox.js
│       ├── comment.js
│       ├── addComment.js
│       ├── valPrompt.js
│       └── error.js
├── backend/                # Express REST API
│   ├── server.js           # Server entry point (port 3000)
│   └── api/
│       ├── user.js         # Auth routes (/user)
│       └── data.js         # Business & comment routes (/data)
├── data/                   # JSON data store
│   ├── userData.json       # User accounts
│   └── content.json        # Business listings
├── moderation/             # Admin/moderation CLI tools
└── package.json

Prerequisites

• Node.js v14 or higher

Installation

git clone <repo-url>
npm install

Running the App

Start the backend server:

npm test
# or
node ./backend/server.js

The server will start on http://localhost:3000.

To launch the terminal UI (in a separate terminal):

node ./app/app.js

API Reference

User Routes (/user)

Method	Endpoint	Description
POST	/user/login	Login with username and password
GET	/user/login/verify/:id	Mark a login verification code as verified
POST	/user/login/verify	Exchange a verified code for a UUID session
POST	/user/signup	Register a new user
GET	/user/signup/verify/:id	Mark a signup verification code as verified
POST	/user/signup/verify	Complete signup and receive a UUID

Data Routes (/data)

Method	Endpoint	Description
POST	/data	Retrieve all businesses (auth required)
POST	/data/business/new	Create a new business listing
POST	/data/business/delete	Delete a business you own (deprecated)
POST	/data/comment	Post a comment and rating on a business

All data routes require a valid auth UUID in the request body.

Authentication Flow

LocalSearch uses a two-step verification system. On login or signup, a 6-digit code is returned. This code must be verified (simulating an out-of-band check), after which a UUID session token is issued and used for all subsequent requests.

Dependencies

Package	Purpose
express	Backend REST API framework
neo-blessed	Terminal UI rendering
@willdevv12/simplestore	Simple JSON-based persistent storage

License

See LICENSE for details.