https://github.com/keshav2613/sivalabs-blog/releases

SivaLabs Blog: A Modern Java Spring Boot Blog App Template

A practical blog application built in Java using Spring Boot. It combines a clean data model, solid security, a responsive UI, and a robust test suite. It demonstrates how to blend modern frontend techniques with a reliable backend stack. This project serves as a springboard for developers who want to learn how to craft a maintainable, testable, and scalable blogging platform.

• Tech focus: Java, Spring Boot, Spring Data JPA, Spring Modulith, Spring Security, Thymeleaf, HTMX, Tailwind CSS
• Persistence: PostgreSQL
• Migrations: Flyway
• Testing: JUnit, Testcontainers
• Build: Maven
• Containerization: Docker, Docker Compose
• Frontend: Thymeleaf templates, Tailwind CSS, HTMX for progressive enhancement
• Quality: Modular architecture, clear separation of concerns, comprehensive tests

Why this project exists

• You get a complete, runnable blog app that shows how to wire Spring components together in a modular way.
• It demonstrates best practices for security, data access, and frontend integration without leaning on heavy, unnecessary abstractions.
• It provides a ready-to-run environment via Docker Compose, so you can spin up Postgres, the app, and related services with a single command.
• It shows how to keep migrations in sync with Flyway, so your database schema evolves safely as you advance features.
• It offers a realistic, maintainable codebase that you can clone, modify, and extend for your own needs.

Table of contents

• About this project
• Key features
• Architecture and design decisions
• Tech stack
• How to get started
• Running locally
• Docker and containerized setup
• Database migrations with Flyway
• Security model
• Frontend and UI design
• Testing strategy
• Code structure and modules
• Development workflow
• Extending the application
• Performance and optimization tips
• Troubleshooting
• Release process and assets
• Contributing
• FAQ

About this project This project is a blog application that covers typical blogging features. It lets users read posts, browse by category, search content, and view details of individual posts. The admin area supports post creation, editing, and management with a secure authentication layer. The app uses a modular approach to grouping related functionality into cohesive modules. The goal is to provide a practical, readable example that balances simplicity with real-world considerations.

Key features

• User facing blog: Browse posts, view post detail, paginate lists, filter by category or tag
• Admin area: Create, edit, delete posts, manage categories and tags
• Secure authentication: Role-based access control, password hashing, session management
• Data safety: Database migrations with Flyway to evolve the schema safely
• Frontend ergonomics: Clean, responsive UI built with Thymeleaf templates and Tailwind CSS
• Interactivity: HTMX handles small, server-driven interactivity without heavy JavaScript
• API readiness: A basic REST layer for external clients or mobile apps
• Testing: JUnit tests plus integration tests using Testcontainers
• Observability: Basic health checks and meaningful error messages for easier debugging
• Docker readiness: A docker-compose setup that starts the app, database, and related services
• Modularity: Spring Modulith style boundaries to keep concerns separable and maintainable
• Documentation and examples: In-repo docs, usage notes, and best-practice guidance

Architecture and design decisions

• Layered architecture with clear boundaries: presentation, business logic, and persistence layers are well separated to reduce coupling.
• Modular organization: The codebase is split into modules that encapsulate related concerns. Modules communicate through well-defined interfaces, enabling easier testing and future reusability.
• Spring Modulith alignment: The design aligns with the principles of a modular Spring application, making it straightforward to evolve features without a monolithic core.
• Security first: Authentication and authorization are treated as core concerns. Roles control access to admin features, while public endpoints enforce minimal exposure.
• Data migration first: Flyway is used to manage changes to the database schema in a predictable, versioned manner.
• Progressive enhancement: HTMX enriches the UI by enabling server-driven updates with minimal JavaScript, keeping the client footprint small while improving user experience.
• UI clarity: The frontend relies on Thymeleaf for server-side rendering and Tailwind CSS for styling, delivering a responsive and accessible UI.
• Testability: Tests focus on behavior and integration, with Testcontainers used to simulate real database interactions and ensure correctness across environments.
• Observability: The app includes health indicators and meaningful log messages to speed up debugging and maintenance.

Tech stack

• Language: Java
• Framework: Spring Boot
• Persistence: PostgreSQL, Spring Data JPA
• Security: Spring Security
• Arch: Spring Modulith
• Templating: Thymeleaf
• Frontend: Tailwind CSS, HTMX
• Testing: JUnit 5, Testcontainers
• Database migrations: Flyway
• Build tool: Maven
• Containerization: Docker, Docker Compose
• CI/CD: Basic configuration for automated tests (GitHub Actions example in docs)
• Documentation: MD-based docs with inline guides and examples

How to get started

• Prerequisites

  • Java Development Kit (JDK) 17 or newer
  • Maven 3.6+ (or use the bundled Maven inside Docker)
  • Docker and Docker Compose
  • A modern operating system with a terminal

• Quick start steps

  • Clone the repository:
    • git clone https://github.com/keshav2613/sivalabs-blog.git
  • Navigate to the project directory:
    • cd sivalabs-blog
  • Start the application with Docker Compose:
    • docker-compose up -d
  • The app will be accessible at:
    • http://localhost:8080
  • The database will be created and migrations will be applied automatically by Flyway on startup
  • To stop the services:
    • docker-compose down

• Local development without Docker

  • Ensure PostgreSQL is running locally and accessible
  • Create a local database, for example blogdb
  • Update application.properties (or application.yml) with your local database credentials
  • Run the app with Maven:
    • mvn spring-boot:run
  • Access the app at:
    • http://localhost:8080

• Environment configuration

  • The project uses Spring Profiles to separate environments
  • Create or modify application.properties or application.yml for your environment
  • Common properties include:
    • spring.datasource.url
    • spring.datasource.username
    • spring.datasource.password
    • spring.jpa Hibernate dialect
  • Flyway settings control migration behavior
  • Security settings define user roles and password policies

• Understanding the release process

  • This repository publishes release artifacts on the Releases page
  • Release assets are available at the Releases page for download
  • If you need a ready-to-run artifact, visit the Releases page and grab the latest asset
  • The latest release provides a tested bundle that you can run directly
  • For quick access, the Releases page can be opened at: