🧩 Building MyZubster: An Open-Source Skill Exchange Platform with Monero Payments

📖 Introduction

In a world where continuous learning is essential, MyZubster is born as an open-source platform that connects people to exchange skills and services. From programming to plumbing, tutoring to tech support, MyZubster creates a community where everyone can teach what they know and learn what they desire.

GitHub: DanielIoni-creator/MyZubsterAPP

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🎯 What Makes MyZubster Special?

🔐 Privacy & Monero Payments

Unlike other platforms, MyZubster integrates Monero (XMR) for private and secure payments:

• 🔒 No transaction tracking
• 💰 Automatic 2% fee to support development
• 🛡️ Escrow system: funds locked until work is completed

🌐 SaaS & Self-Hosted Architecture

MyZubster can be used as:

• SaaS (Software as a Service) with automatic updates
• Self-Hosted for full control over your data

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🛠️ Tech Stack

Layer	Technology
Mobile	Kotlin, Android SDK, Retrofit, Material Design
Backend	Node.js, Express, MongoDB, JWT
Payments	Monero RPC, Escrow, 2% Fee Service
Web Dashboard	React, TypeScript
Admin Panel	React, Material-UI
API Gateway	Node.js, Express

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✨ Key Features

📅 Booking System

• Interactive calendar with time slots
• Status tracking: pending, confirmed, in_progress, completed, cancelled
• Automatic conflict detection

📝 Quotes & Estimates

• Professionals can send quotes
• Clients accept or reject
• Automatic booking status update

📋 Complete Work History

• Track all completed jobs
• Infinite scroll for loading more history
• Filter by category and status

💳 Monero Payment Integration

• 2% platform fee automatically applied
• Escrow protection for both parties
• Privacy-first transactions

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📱 Android App Features

🔐 Authentication

• Login/Register with email/password
• JWT token storage in SharedPreferences
• Session management with countdown timer

💰 Payment System

• QR Code generation for Monero addresses
• Real-time payment status tracking
• Fund release by client after work completion

📊 Booking History

• View all past and current bookings
• Status color coding
• Pull-to-refresh

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💰 Platform Fee

MyZubster applies a 2% platform fee on all transactions to support:

• 🖥️ Infrastructure costs (servers, databases, monitoring)
• 👨‍💻 Development and maintenance
• 🛡️ Security and escrow services

Fee Wallet: Maintained by Daniel Ioni (DanielIoni-creator)

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🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Android Studio (latest)
• Node.js 16+
• MongoDB
• Monero wallet RPC (for testing payments)

Clone the Repository

bash
git clone https://github.com/DanielIoni-creator/MyZubsterAPP.git
cd MyZubsterAPP
Backend Setup
bash

cd backend
npm install
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env with your MongoDB URI, Monero RPC URL, and API keys.
npm start
# The backend will run on http://localhost:5000

Android App
bash

# Open the project in Android Studio
# Sync Gradle and build the APK
# Install the APK on your device (or use an emulator)

Web Dashboard (Optional)
bash

cd web-dashboard
npm install
npm start
# Runs on http://localhost:3000

Admin Panel (Optional)
bash

cd admin-panel
npm install
npm start
# Runs on http://localhost:3001

🧪 Testing
bash

# Backend tests
cd backend
npm test

# Android tests
./gradlew test

# All tests with GitHub Actions (automated on every push)

🛡️ Security & Privacy

    Backend uses environment variables for sensitive data; never commit .env files

    All communication between client and server is encrypted via HTTPS

    Push notifications support Firebase FCM

    Admin Panel uses role-based access control (Admin/Moderator)

    Monero payments are non-custodial — private keys never leave the user's device

    Escrow uses Monero multisig for secure fund locking

📄 License

This project is licensed under either the MIT License or the GNU General Public License v3.0, at your option.

SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT OR GPL-3.0-or-later
🤝 How to Contribute

We welcome contributors of all experience levels!

    Fork the repository

    Create a feature branch

    Make your changes and test them

    Submit a Pull Request with a clear description of your work

Check our Contributing Guide to get started!
📊 Project Status
Component   Status
Backend API ✅ Complete
Android App ✅ Complete
Web Dashboard   ✅ Complete
Admin Panel ✅ Complete
Monero Integration  ✅ Complete
Authentication  ✅ Complete
Testing ✅ Complete
🔜 Next Steps

    Real Monero payment integration (currently in simulation)

    Push notifications with Firebase

    User profile management

    Multi-language support

    iOS app (Swift)

🙏 Acknowledgments

    Monero for privacy-first digital cash

    All open-source libraries and contributors who make this project possible

    The community for feedback and support

🚀 Ready to Join the Community?

Explore the code, report issues, or start contributing today!

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Made with ❤️ by Daniel Ioni and the MyZubster community

🔗 Links:

    GitHub Repository

    Report Issue

    Contributing Guide