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BACKEND_SETUP.md

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+# Backend Setup Guide
+
+This guide explains how to set up the backend for the contact form functionality.
+
+## Overview
+
+The contact form uses a Node.js/Express backend with Nodemailer to send emails via Gmail SMTP. During development, Vite proxies API requests to the Node.js server.
+
+## Setup Instructions
+
+### 1. Install Dependencies
+
+Make sure all dependencies are installed:
+
+```bash
+npm install
+# or
+bun install
+```
+
+### 2. Configure Gmail SMTP
+
+To send emails via Gmail:
+
+1. Enable 2-factor authentication on your Gmail account
+2. Generate an App Password:
+   - Go to your Google Account settings
+   - Navigate to Security > 2-Step Verification > App passwords
+   - Generate a new app password for "Mail"
+3. Update the credentials in `.env` file:
+   ```
+   EMAIL_USER=scandrone308@gmail.com
+   EMAIL_PASS=your-app-password
+   ```
+
+### 3. Run the Application
+
+You'll need to run both the frontend development server and the backend server:
+
+Terminal 1 (Frontend):
+```bash
+npm run dev
+# or
+bun run dev
+```
+
+Terminal 2 (Backend):
+```bash
+npm start
+# or
+bun run start
+```
+
+### 4. Production Deployment
+
+For production deployment:
+
+1. Build the frontend:
+   ```bash
+   npm run build
+   # or
+   bun run build
+   ```
+
+2. Run the server which will serve both the API and the built frontend:
+   ```bash
+   npm start
+   # or
+   bun run start
+   ```
+
+## How It Works
+
+1. The React frontend sends form data to `/api/contact` via fetch
+2. Vite proxies `/api` requests to the Node.js server (during development)
+3. The Node.js server receives the data and sends an email using Nodemailer
+4. The email is sent to bayan10kh@gmail.com via Gmail SMTP
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+If emails aren't being sent:
+
+1. Check that your Gmail credentials are correct in the `.env` file
+2. Verify that you're using an App Password, not your regular Gmail password
+3. Ensure 2-factor authentication is enabled on your Gmail account
+4. Check the server console for error messages
+5. Verify that your hosting provider allows SMTP connections
+6. Make sure the EMAIL_USER and EMAIL_PASS variables are properly set in the `.env` file