I need a reliable developer who can deliver clean, maintainable code while building out the first version of my backend. The stack is flexible between Node.js (Express, Nest, or similar) and Python (FastAPI, Django REST), but the end result must expose well-structured RESTful APIs tied to a MySQL database. Scope • Design the schema in MySQL and connect it seamlessly to the chosen framework. • Build versioned REST endpoints that follow best practices for naming, status codes, and error handling. • Implement basic security from day one: JWT-based authentication and at-rest / in-transit data encryption. Rate limiting is not required yet, but the architecture should allow us to bolt it on later without refactor pain. • Write concise tests and inline documentation so any future teammate can ramp up quickly. No online payment modules are needed at this stage. Deliverables 1. Source code in a private Git repo with meaningful commit history. 2. Postman (or similar) collection covering every public endpoint. 3. README detailing local setup, environment variables, and deployment steps. 4. Unit/integration test suite with clear pass criteria. If the collaboration goes smoothly, I have more milestones lined up and would love to keep working together long term. Let me know which framework you prefer and share a sample project that shows your attention to code quality.