Build Basic Backend

My React-based front end is finished; now I need the server side wired up in Python. I’m leaning toward Django (open to Flask if you can show a clear benefit) and would like a clean, well-documented codebase that I can host on a standard VPS.

Scope
• Set up a fresh Django project, configure environment variables and version control.
• Create the models and REST endpoints that mirror the existing UI screens—CRUD operations only for now.
• Implement token-based authentication so users can sign up, log in, and stay authenticated across sessions.
• Integrate any relational database you’re comfortable with (MySQL or PostgreSQL both fit my stack). Provide migration scripts.
• Return JSON responses formatted for easy consumption by the front end.

Deliverables
1. Source code in a Git repository with a concise README.
2. Postman (or similar) collection documenting each endpoint.
3. One-click deployment instructions (Docker compose or a short bash script).
4. Brief hand-off call or loom video walking through project structure.

If you’ve shipped production Django APIs before, share a link or repo so I can get a feel for your style, and mention any extras—rate limiting, Swagger docs, CI pipelines—that you can include without blowing up the timeline.