# FirstByte — Setup Instructions

Prerequisites: Python 3.12+, MySQL Server installed and running.

1. Create and activate a virtual environment:
   python -m venv venv
   venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1        (Windows)

2. Install dependencies:
   pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Ensure a local MySQL server is running. Create a database named
   'firstbyte_db' (this matches the configuration already set in
   jobplatform/settings.py — no changes needed):

       CREATE DATABASE firstbyte_db;

   The project is pre-configured to connect using:
       User: root
       Password: Firstbyte2026
       Host: 127.0.0.1
       Port: 3306

   If your MySQL setup uses different credentials, update the
   DATABASES section in jobplatform/settings.py accordingly.

Note: Steps 4-6 below are commands to run in a terminal (Command
Prompt, PowerShell, or VS Code's integrated terminal), from inside
the project folder, with your virtual environment activated.

4. Apply migrations:
   python manage.py migrate

5. (Optional) Create an admin account:
   python manage.py createsuperuser

6. Run the development server:
   python manage.py runserver

7. Open http://127.0.0.1:8000/ in your browser.