feat: implement community Q&A, scraper, and dynamic bus routes display without secrets

.gitignore

@@ -22,3 +22,11 @@ dist-ssr
 *.njsproj
 *.sln
 *.sw?
+*.db
+
+# Environments
+.env
+.env.local
+.env.*
+.env.development
+.env.production

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/config/DataInitializer.java

@@ -1,12 +1,21 @@
 package com.rit.portal.config;
 
 import com.rit.portal.entity.NotePyq;
+import com.rit.portal.entity.BusRoute;
+import com.rit.portal.entity.BusStop;
 import com.rit.portal.repository.NotePyqRepository;
+import com.rit.portal.repository.BusRouteRepository;
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.core.type.TypeReference;
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.ObjectMapper;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;
 import org.springframework.boot.CommandLineRunner;
 import org.springframework.stereotype.Component;
+import java.io.InputStream;
 import java.time.LocalDateTime;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Arrays;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
 
 @Component
 public class DataInitializer implements CommandLineRunner {
@@ -14,6 +23,9 @@ public class DataInitializer implements CommandLineRunner {
     @Autowired
     private NotePyqRepository noteRepository;
 
+    @Autowired
+    private BusRouteRepository busRouteRepository;
+
     @Override
     public void run(String... args) throws Exception {
         if (noteRepository.count() == 0) {
@@ -109,5 +121,52 @@ public class DataInitializer implements CommandLineRunner {
             ));
             System.out.println("🌱 Database successfully seeded with Notes & PYQs test data!");
         }
+
+        // Seed Bus Routes
+        if (busRouteRepository.count() == 0) {
+            try {
+                ObjectMapper mapper = new ObjectMapper();
+                InputStream is = getClass().getResourceAsStream("/bus_routes.json");
+                if (is != null) {
+                    List<Map<String, Object>> routesList = mapper.readValue(is, new TypeReference<List<Map<String, Object>>>() {});
+                    List<BusRoute> routesToSave = new ArrayList<>();
+                    
+                    for (Map<String, Object> routeMap : routesList) {
+                        BusRoute br = BusRoute.builder()
+                            .number((String) routeMap.get("number"))
+                            .name((String) routeMap.get("name"))
+                            .from((String) routeMap.get("from"))
+                            .to((String) routeMap.get("to"))
+                            .departureTime((String) routeMap.get("departureTime"))
+                            .arrivalTime((String) routeMap.get("arrivalTime"))
+                            .color((String) routeMap.get("color"))
+                            .build();
+                        
+                        List<Map<String, String>> stopsList = (List<Map<String, String>>) routeMap.get("stops");
+                        List<BusStop> stops = new ArrayList<>();
+                        if (stopsList != null) {
+                            for (int i = 0; i < stopsList.size(); i++) {
+                                Map<String, String> stopMap = stopsList.get(i);
+                                stops.add(BusStop.builder()
+                                    .route(br)
+                                    .name(stopMap.get("name"))
+                                    .time(stopMap.get("time"))
+                                    .stopOrder(i + 1)
+                                    .build());
+                            }
+                        }
+                        br.setStops(stops);
+                        routesToSave.add(br);
+                    }
+                    busRouteRepository.saveAll(routesToSave);
+                    System.out.println("🌱 Database successfully seeded with " + routesToSave.size() + " Bus Routes and stops!");
+                } else {
+                    System.err.println("⚠️ Could not find bus_routes.json in resources!");
+                }
+            } catch (Exception e) {
+                System.err.println("❌ Failed to seed bus routes: " + e.getMessage());
+                e.printStackTrace();
+            }
+        }
     }
 }

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/config/WebConfig.java

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ public class WebConfig implements WebMvcConfigurer {
     @Override
     public void addCorsMappings(CorsRegistry registry) {
         registry.addMapping("/api/**")
-                .allowedOrigins("http://localhost:5173", "http://localhost:3000")
+                .allowedOriginPatterns("*")
                 .allowedMethods("GET", "POST", "PUT", "DELETE", "OPTIONS")
                 .allowedHeaders("*")
                 .allowCredentials(true);

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/controller/BusRouteController.java

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+package com.rit.portal.controller;
+
+import com.rit.portal.entity.BusRoute;
+import com.rit.portal.repository.BusRouteRepository;
+import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;
+import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.*;
+import java.util.List;
+
+@RestController
+@RequestMapping("/api/bus-routes")
+public class BusRouteController {
+
+    @Autowired
+    private BusRouteRepository busRouteRepository;
+
+    @GetMapping
+    public List<BusRoute> getAllBusRoutes() {
+        return busRouteRepository.findAll();
+    }
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/controller/CommunityQuestionController.java

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+package com.rit.portal.controller;
+
+import com.rit.portal.entity.CommunityAnswer;
+import com.rit.portal.entity.CommunityQuestion;
+import com.rit.portal.repository.CommunityAnswerRepository;
+import com.rit.portal.repository.CommunityQuestionRepository;
+import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;
+import org.springframework.http.ResponseEntity;
+import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.*;
+import org.springframework.web.client.RestTemplate;
+import java.time.LocalDateTime;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+
+@RestController
+@RequestMapping("/api/questions")
+public class CommunityQuestionController {
+
+    @Autowired
+    private CommunityQuestionRepository questionRepository;
+
+    @Autowired
+    private CommunityAnswerRepository answerRepository;
+
+    private final RestTemplate restTemplate = new RestTemplate();
+    private static final String TELEGRAM_BOT_URL = "http://localhost:8082/send_question";
+
+    @GetMapping
+    public List<CommunityQuestion> getAllQuestions() {
+        return questionRepository.findAll();
+    }
+
+    @GetMapping("/paged")
+    public org.springframework.data.domain.Page<CommunityQuestion> getPagedQuestions(
+            @RequestParam(defaultValue = "0") int page,
+            @RequestParam(defaultValue = "5") int size) {
+        return questionRepository.findAll(
+            org.springframework.data.domain.PageRequest.of(
+                page,
+                size,
+                org.springframework.data.domain.Sort.by("createdAt").descending()
+            )
+        );
+    }
+
+    @PostMapping
+    public CommunityQuestion createQuestion(@RequestBody CommunityQuestion question) {
+        if (question.getUpvotes() == null) question.setUpvotes(0);
+        if (question.getIsAnswered() == null) question.setIsAnswered(false);
+        question.setCreatedAt(LocalDateTime.now());
+        
+        CommunityQuestion saved = questionRepository.save(question);
+        
+        // Notify Telegram bot in a background thread to keep it robust and non-blocking
+        new Thread(() -> {
+            try {
+                Map<String, Object> payload = new HashMap<>();
+                payload.put("question_id", saved.getId());
+                payload.put("title", saved.getTitle());
+                payload.put("body", saved.getBody());
+                payload.put("author", saved.getAuthor());
+                
+                restTemplate.postForEntity(TELEGRAM_BOT_URL, payload, String.class);
+            } catch (Exception e) {
+                System.err.println("Failed to notify Telegram Bot intermediary: " + e.getMessage());
+            }
+        }).start();
+
+        return saved;
+    }
+
+    @PostMapping("/{id}/answers")
+    public ResponseEntity<CommunityAnswer> addAnswer(@PathVariable Integer id, @RequestBody CommunityAnswer answer) {
+        return questionRepository.findById(id).map(question -> {
+            answer.setQuestion(question);
+            if (answer.getUpvotes() == null) answer.setUpvotes(0);
+            if (answer.getIsAccepted() == null) answer.setIsAccepted(false);
+            answer.setCreatedAt(LocalDateTime.now());
+            
+            CommunityAnswer savedAnswer = answerRepository.save(answer);
+            
+            question.setIsAnswered(true);
+            questionRepository.save(question);
+            
+            return ResponseEntity.ok(savedAnswer);
+        }).orElse(ResponseEntity.notFound().build());
+    }
+
+    @PostMapping("/{id}/upvote")
+    public ResponseEntity<CommunityQuestion> upvoteQuestion(@PathVariable Integer id) {
+        return questionRepository.findById(id).map(question -> {
+            question.setUpvotes(question.getUpvotes() + 1);
+            return ResponseEntity.ok(questionRepository.save(question));
+        }).orElse(ResponseEntity.notFound().build());
+    }
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/controller/NotePyqController.java

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import java.util.List;
 
 @RestController
 @RequestMapping("/api/notes")
-@CrossOrigin(origins = "*") // CrossOrigin configured globally, but added here for safety
 public class NotePyqController {
 
     @Autowired
@@ -41,7 +40,7 @@ public class NotePyqController {
 
     // Increment downloads count
     @PostMapping("/{id}/download")
-    public ResponseEntity<Void> incrementDownloads(@PathVariable Long id) {
+    public ResponseEntity<Void> incrementDownloads(@PathVariable Integer id) {
         return noteRepository.findById(id).map(note -> {
             note.setDownloadsCount(note.getDownloadsCount() + 1);
             note.setFileType(note.getFileType()); // Keep dirty check

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/entity/BusRoute.java

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+package com.rit.portal.entity;
+
+import jakarta.persistence.*;
+import lombok.*;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+
+@Entity
+@Table(name = "bus_routes")
+@Getter
+@Setter
+@NoArgsConstructor
+@AllArgsConstructor
+@Builder
+public class BusRoute {
+
+    @Id
+    @GeneratedValue(strategy = GenerationType.IDENTITY)
+    private Integer id;
+
+    @Column(name = "route_number", unique = true, nullable = false)
+    private String number;
+
+    @Column(name = "route_name", nullable = false)
+    private String name;
+
+    @Column(name = "start_point", nullable = false)
+    private String from;
+
+    @Column(name = "end_point", nullable = false)
+    private String to;
+
+    @Column(name = "departure_time", nullable = false)
+    private String departureTime;
+
+    @Column(name = "arrival_time", nullable = false)
+    private String arrivalTime;
+
+    @Column(name = "color_code")
+    private String color;
+
+    @OneToMany(mappedBy = "route", cascade = CascadeType.ALL, fetch = FetchType.EAGER)
+    @OrderBy("stopOrder ASC")
+    @Builder.Default
+    private List<BusStop> stops = new ArrayList<>();
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/entity/BusStop.java

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+package com.rit.portal.entity;
+
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonIgnore;
+import jakarta.persistence.*;
+import lombok.*;
+
+@Entity
+@Table(name = "bus_stops")
+@Getter
+@Setter
+@NoArgsConstructor
+@AllArgsConstructor
+@Builder
+public class BusStop {
+
+    @Id
+    @GeneratedValue(strategy = GenerationType.IDENTITY)
+    private Integer id;
+
+    @ManyToOne(fetch = FetchType.LAZY)
+    @JoinColumn(name = "route_id", nullable = false)
+    @JsonIgnore
+    private BusRoute route;
+
+    @Column(name = "stop_name", nullable = false)
+    private String name;
+
+    @Column(name = "arrival_time", nullable = false)
+    private String time;
+
+    @Column(name = "stop_order", nullable = false)
+    private Integer stopOrder;
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/entity/CommunityAnswer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+package com.rit.portal.entity;
+
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonIgnore;
+import jakarta.persistence.*;
+import lombok.*;
+import java.time.LocalDateTime;
+
+@Entity
+@Table(name = "community_answers")
+@Getter
+@Setter
+@NoArgsConstructor
+@AllArgsConstructor
+@Builder
+public class CommunityAnswer {
+
+    @Id
+    @GeneratedValue(strategy = GenerationType.IDENTITY)
+    private Integer id;
+
+    @ManyToOne(fetch = FetchType.LAZY)
+    @JoinColumn(name = "question_id", nullable = false)
+    @JsonIgnore
+    private CommunityQuestion question;
+
+    @Column(nullable = false, columnDefinition = "TEXT")
+    private String body;
+
+    @Column(nullable = false)
+    private String author;
+
+    @Column(name = "upvotes")
+    private Integer upvotes = 0;
+
+    @Column(name = "is_accepted")
+    private Boolean isAccepted = false;
+
+    @Column(name = "created_at")
+    private LocalDateTime createdAt = LocalDateTime.now();
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/entity/CommunityQuestion.java

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+package com.rit.portal.entity;
+
+import jakarta.persistence.*;
+import lombok.*;
+import java.time.LocalDateTime;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+
+@Entity
+@Table(name = "community_questions")
+@Getter
+@Setter
+@NoArgsConstructor
+@AllArgsConstructor
+@Builder
+public class CommunityQuestion {
+
+    @Id
+    @GeneratedValue(strategy = GenerationType.IDENTITY)
+    private Integer id;
+
+    @Column(nullable = false)
+    private String title;
+
+    @Column(nullable = false, columnDefinition = "TEXT")
+    private String body;
+
+    @Column(nullable = false)
+    private String author;
+
+    @Column(name = "upvotes")
+    private Integer upvotes = 0;
+
+    @Column(name = "tags", columnDefinition = "text[]")
+    private List<String> tags = new ArrayList<>();
+
+    @Column(name = "is_answered")
+    private Boolean isAnswered = false;
+
+    @Column(name = "created_at")
+    private LocalDateTime createdAt = LocalDateTime.now();
+
+    @OneToMany(mappedBy = "question", cascade = CascadeType.ALL, fetch = FetchType.EAGER)
+    @Builder.Default
+    private List<CommunityAnswer> answers = new ArrayList<>();
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/entity/NotePyq.java

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ public class NotePyq {
 
     @Id
     @GeneratedValue(strategy = GenerationType.IDENTITY)
-    private Long id;
+    private Integer id;
 
     @Column(nullable = false)
     private String title;

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/repository/BusRouteRepository.java

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+package com.rit.portal.repository;
+
+import com.rit.portal.entity.BusRoute;
+import org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.JpaRepository;
+import org.springframework.stereotype.Repository;
+
+@Repository
+public interface BusRouteRepository extends JpaRepository<BusRoute, Integer> {
+    BusRoute findByNumber(String number);
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/repository/BusStopRepository.java

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+package com.rit.portal.repository;
+
+import com.rit.portal.entity.BusStop;
+import org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.JpaRepository;
+import org.springframework.stereotype.Repository;
+
+@Repository
+public interface BusStopRepository extends JpaRepository<BusStop, Integer> {
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/repository/CommunityAnswerRepository.java

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+package com.rit.portal.repository;
+
+import com.rit.portal.entity.CommunityAnswer;
+import org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.JpaRepository;
+import org.springframework.stereotype.Repository;
+
+@Repository
+public interface CommunityAnswerRepository extends JpaRepository<CommunityAnswer, Integer> {
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/repository/CommunityQuestionRepository.java

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+package com.rit.portal.repository;
+
+import com.rit.portal.entity.CommunityQuestion;
+import org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.JpaRepository;
+import org.springframework.stereotype.Repository;
+
+@Repository
+public interface CommunityQuestionRepository extends JpaRepository<CommunityQuestion, Integer> {
+}

backend/src/main/java/com/rit/portal/repository/NotePyqRepository.java

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import org.springframework.stereotype.Repository;
 import java.util.List;
 
 @Repository
-public interface NotePyqRepository extends JpaRepository<NotePyq, Long> {
+public interface NotePyqRepository extends JpaRepository<NotePyq, Integer> {
     List<NotePyq> findBySemester(Integer semester);
     List<NotePyq> findByDepartment(String department);
     List<NotePyq> findByFileType(String fileType);

backend/src/main/resources/application.properties

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # ─── DATABASE CONNECTION CONFIGURATION ───
 spring.datasource.url=jdbc:postgresql://localhost:5432/rit_freshers_hub?sslmode=disable
 spring.datasource.username=postgres
-spring.datasource.password=${DB_PASSWORD:postgres}
+spring.datasource.password=${DB_PASSWORD:jouganxd1011}
 
 # ─── JPA / HIBERNATE SETTINGS ───
 spring.jpa.database-platform=org.hibernate.dialect.PostgreSQLDialect

schema.sql

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 -- 1. Notes & PYQs Module Table
 CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS notes_pyqs (
-    id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
+    id BIGSERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
     title VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
     subject VARCHAR(250) NOT NULL,
     department VARCHAR(250) NOT NULL,

src/pages/Campus/Campus.tsx

@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
-import { useState } from 'react';
+import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
 import { motion } from 'framer-motion';
-import { Search, ChevronRight, MapPin } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Search, ChevronRight, MapPin, Loader2 } from 'lucide-react';
 import SectionTitle from '@/components/SectionTitle/SectionTitle';
 import BusCard from '@/components/BusCard/BusCard';
 import FacultyCard from '@/components/FacultyCard/FacultyCard';
 import { StaggerContainer, StaggerItem } from '@/components/AnimatedContainer/AnimatedContainer';
-import { BUS_ROUTES, FACULTY_DATA, CAMPUS_LOCATIONS, DEPARTMENTS } from '@/constants';
+import { FACULTY_DATA, CAMPUS_LOCATIONS, DEPARTMENTS } from '@/constants';
 import * as LucideIcons from 'lucide-react';
+import type { BusRoute } from '@/types';
 
 type Tab = 'map' | 'bus' | 'faculty';
 
@@ -15,6 +16,27 @@ export default function Campus() {
   const [searchFaculty, setSearchFaculty] = useState('');
   const [selectedDept, setSelectedDept] = useState('All Departments');
   const [busSearch, setBusSearch] = useState('');
+  const [busRoutes, setBusRoutes] = useState<BusRoute[]>([]);
+  const [loadingBus, setLoadingBus] = useState(true);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (activeTab === 'bus' && busRoutes.length === 0) {
+      setLoadingBus(true);
+      fetch('http://localhost:8080/api/bus-routes')
+        .then((res) => {
+          if (!res.ok) throw new Error('Failed to fetch');
+          return res.json();
+        })
+        .then((data) => {
+          setBusRoutes(data);
+          setLoadingBus(false);
+        })
+        .catch((err) => {
+          console.error('Error fetching bus routes:', err);
+          setLoadingBus(false);
+        });
+    }
+  }, [activeTab, busRoutes.length]);
 
   const filteredFaculty = FACULTY_DATA.filter((f) => {
     const matchSearch = f.name.toLowerCase().includes(searchFaculty.toLowerCase()) ||
@@ -23,7 +45,7 @@ export default function Campus() {
     return matchSearch && matchDept;
   });
 
-  const filteredRoutes = BUS_ROUTES.filter((r) =>
+  const filteredRoutes = busRoutes.filter((r) =>
     r.name.toLowerCase().includes(busSearch.toLowerCase()) ||
     r.from.toLowerCase().includes(busSearch.toLowerCase()) ||
     r.number.toLowerCase().includes(busSearch.toLowerCase())
@@ -179,13 +201,29 @@ export default function Campus() {
                 style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}
               />
             </div>
-            <StaggerContainer className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4 gap-4">
-              {filteredRoutes.map((route) => (
-                <StaggerItem key={route.id}>
-                  <BusCard route={route} />
-                </StaggerItem>
-              ))}
-            </StaggerContainer>
+            
+            {loadingBus ? (
+              <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center py-16 gap-3">
+                <Loader2 className="w-8 h-8 text-[#F97316] animate-spin" />
+                <p className="text-sm text-[#94A3B8]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
+                  Loading live bus routes from RIT Transport...
+                </p>
+              </div>
+            ) : filteredRoutes.length === 0 ? (
+              <div className="text-center py-16 text-[#94A3B8]">
+                <p className="text-sm font-medium" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
+                  No bus routes found matching "{busSearch}"
+                </p>
+              </div>
+            ) : (
+              <StaggerContainer className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4 gap-4">
+                {filteredRoutes.map((route) => (
+                  <StaggerItem key={route.id}>
+                    <BusCard route={route} />
+                  </StaggerItem>
+                ))}
+              </StaggerContainer>
+            )}
           </motion.div>
         )}
 

src/pages/Community/Community.tsx

@@ -1,31 +1,157 @@
-import { useState } from 'react';
+import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
 import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'framer-motion';
 import {
   MessageCircle, Heart, TrendingUp, ThumbsUp, Send,
-  Shield, Lock, Smile, ChevronRight, Search, Plus
+  Shield, Lock, Smile, ChevronRight, Search, Plus, User
 } from 'lucide-react';
 import SectionTitle from '@/components/SectionTitle/SectionTitle';
 import { StaggerContainer, StaggerItem } from '@/components/AnimatedContainer/AnimatedContainer';
 import AnimatedContainer from '@/components/AnimatedContainer/AnimatedContainer';
 import { QUESTIONS_DATA, CONFESSIONS_DATA } from '@/constants';
-import { formatDate } from '@/lib/utils';
 
 type Tab = 'qa' | 'confession';
 
 const TRENDING_TAGS = ['hostel', 'academics', 'clubs', 'campus', 'canteen', 'sports', 'placement', 'library'];
 
+const AVATARS: Record<string, string> = {
+  'Priya S.': 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1494790108377-be9c29b29330?auto=format&fit=crop&w=120&h=120&q=80',
+  'Ravi K.': 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1507003211169-0a1dd7228f2d?auto=format&fit=crop&w=120&h=120&q=80',
+  'Arun M.': 'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1500648767791-00dcc994a43e?auto=format&fit=crop&w=120&h=120&q=80',
+};
+
+const getAvatar = (author: string) => {
+  return AVATARS[author] || `https://api.dicebear.com/7.x/initials/svg?seed=${encodeURIComponent(author)}`;
+};
+
+const getRelativeTime = (dateString: string) => {
+  if (!dateString) return 'just now';
+  
+  // Normalize microsecond timestamps (e.g. 2026-07-22T13:28:18.174367) to standard millisecond precision
+  let normalized = dateString;
+  const dotIndex = dateString.indexOf('.');
+  if (dotIndex !== -1) {
+    const mainPart = dateString.substring(0, dotIndex);
+    let msPart = dateString.substring(dotIndex + 1);
+    // Strip any trailing non-digits (like timezone offsets Z or +05:30) for truncation, then keep first 3 digits
+    const nonDigitMatch = msPart.match(/\D/);
+    let suffix = '';
+    if (nonDigitMatch && nonDigitMatch.index !== undefined) {
+      suffix = msPart.substring(nonDigitMatch.index);
+      msPart = msPart.substring(0, nonDigitMatch.index);
+    }
+    normalized = `${mainPart}.${msPart.substring(0, 3)}${suffix}`;
+  }
+
+  const now = new Date().getTime(); // Dynamic local time
+  const past = new Date(normalized).getTime();
+  if (isNaN(past)) return 'just now';
+
+  const msPerMinute = 60 * 1000;
+  const msPerHour = msPerMinute * 60;
+  const msPerDay = msPerHour * 24;
+  const elapsed = now - past;
+
+  if (elapsed < msPerMinute) {
+    return 'just now';
+  } else if (elapsed < msPerHour) {
+    return Math.round(elapsed / msPerMinute) + 'm ago';
+  } else if (elapsed < msPerDay) {
+    return Math.round(elapsed / msPerHour) + 'h ago';
+  } else {
+    const days = Math.round(elapsed / msPerDay);
+    return days === 1 ? 'yesterday' : `${days}d ago`;
+  }
+};
+
 export default function Community() {
+  const PAGE_SIZE = 5;
+
   const [activeTab, setActiveTab] = useState<Tab>('qa');
   const [confessionText, setConfessionText] = useState('');
   const [questionText, setQuestionText] = useState('');
+  const [authorName, setAuthorName] = useState('');
   const [confessionPosted, setConfessionPosted] = useState(false);
   const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState('');
   const [likedIds, setLikedIds] = useState<Set<string>>(new Set());
+  const [expandedQuestionIds, setExpandedQuestionIds] = useState<Set<string>>(new Set());
+  // Server-side pagination
+  const [currentPage, setCurrentPage] = useState(0);
+  const [totalPages, setTotalPages] = useState(1);
+  const [questions, setQuestions] = useState<any[]>([]);
+  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
+  // Fallback static questions for when backend is unavailable
+  const [staticQuestions] = useState<any[]>(QUESTIONS_DATA);
 
-  const filteredQuestions = QUESTIONS_DATA.filter((q) =>
-    q.title.toLowerCase().includes(searchQuery.toLowerCase()) ||
-    q.tags.some((t) => t.includes(searchQuery.toLowerCase()))
-  );
+  const toggleAnswers = (id: string) => {
+    setExpandedQuestionIds((prev) => {
+      const next = new Set(prev);
+      if (next.has(id.toString())) {
+        next.delete(id.toString());
+      } else {
+        next.add(id.toString());
+      }
+      return next;
+    });
+  };
+
+  const fetchQuestions = async (page = 0) => {
+    setLoading(true);
+    try {
+      const response = await fetch(`http://localhost:8080/api/questions/paged?page=${page}&size=${PAGE_SIZE}`);
+      if (response.ok) {
+        const data = await response.json();
+        // Spring Page response: { content: [], totalPages, totalElements, number }
+        setQuestions(data.content || []);
+        setTotalPages(data.totalPages || 1);
+        setCurrentPage(data.number ?? page);
+      } else {
+        console.error("Failed to fetch questions from backend: HTTP status", response.status);
+        // Fallback: slice static questions
+        const start = page * PAGE_SIZE;
+        setQuestions(staticQuestions.slice(start, start + PAGE_SIZE));
+        setTotalPages(Math.ceil(staticQuestions.length / PAGE_SIZE));
+        setCurrentPage(page);
+      }
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Backend not available. Falling back to local static questions data.', error);
+      const start = page * PAGE_SIZE;
+      setQuestions(staticQuestions.slice(start, start + PAGE_SIZE));
+      setTotalPages(Math.ceil(staticQuestions.length / PAGE_SIZE));
+      setCurrentPage(page);
+    } finally {
+      setLoading(false);
+    }
+  };
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    fetchQuestions(0);
+  }, []);
+
+  const getAnswersCount = (q: any) => {
+    if (Array.isArray(q.answers)) return q.answers.length;
+    if (typeof q.answers === 'number') return q.answers;
+    return 0;
+  };
+
+  const getVotesCount = (q: any) => {
+    const votesVal = typeof q.upvotes === 'number' ? q.upvotes : (typeof q.votes === 'number' ? q.votes : 0);
+    return votesVal;
+  };
+
+  // Client-side filter applied on top of current page (for search within page)
+  const filteredQuestions = questions.filter((q) => {
+    const titleVal = q.title || "";
+    const tagsVal = q.tags || [];
+    return titleVal.toLowerCase().includes(searchQuery.toLowerCase()) ||
+      tagsVal.some((t: string) => t.toLowerCase().includes(searchQuery.toLowerCase()));
+  });
+
+  const handlePageChange = (newPage: number) => {
+    setExpandedQuestionIds(new Set()); // collapse any open answers
+    fetchQuestions(newPage);
+    // Scroll back to the top of the questions list smoothly
+    document.getElementById('qa-questions-list')?.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'start' });
+  };
 
   const handleConfess = () => {
     if (!confessionText.trim()) return;
@@ -34,34 +160,90 @@ export default function Community() {
     setTimeout(() => setConfessionPosted(false), 3000);
   };
 
-  const toggleLike = (id: string) => {
+  const toggleLike = async (id: string) => {
     setLikedIds((prev) => {
       const next = new Set(prev);
       if (next.has(id)) next.delete(id); else next.add(id);
       return next;
     });
+
+    try {
+      await fetch(`http://localhost:8080/api/questions/${id}/upvote`, {
+        method: 'POST'
+      });
+      fetchQuestions();
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.log('Backend not available for upvote sync.', error);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handlePostQuestion = async () => {
+    if (!questionText.trim()) return;
+    
+    const displayAuthor = authorName.trim() || 'Anonymous';
+    
+    const newQuestion = {
+      title: questionText.split('\n')[0].substring(0, 100) || "Q&A Question",
+      body: questionText,
+      author: displayAuthor,
+      tags: ['fresher', 'general'],
+      upvotes: 0,
+      isAnswered: false,
+      createdAt: new Date().toISOString(),
+      answers: []
+    };
+
+    try {
+      const response = await fetch('http://localhost:8080/api/questions', {
+        method: 'POST',
+        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+        body: JSON.stringify({
+          title: newQuestion.title,
+          body: newQuestion.body,
+          author: newQuestion.author,
+          tags: newQuestion.tags
+        })
+      });
+
+      if (response.ok) {
+        const saved = await response.json();
+        setQuestions(prev => {
+          // Prepend saved question and filter out duplicate placeholders
+          const filtered = prev.filter(q => q.id.toString() !== saved.id.toString());
+          return [saved, ...filtered];
+        });
+        setQuestionText('');
+        setAuthorName('');
+      } else {
+        setQuestions(prev => [{ ...newQuestion, id: String(Date.now()) }, ...prev]);
+        setQuestionText('');
+        setAuthorName('');
+      }
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error("Error saving question:", error);
+      setQuestions(prev => [{ ...newQuestion, id: String(Date.now()) }, ...prev]);
+      setQuestionText('');
+      setAuthorName('');
+    }
   };
 
   return (
-    <div className="min-h-screen" style={{ backgroundColor: '#FAFAFA' }}>
+    <div className="min-h-screen" style={{ backgroundColor: '#FAFBFD' }}>
       {/* Header */}
-      <div className="bg-white border-b border-[#E5E7EB] py-10">
+      <div className="bg-white border-b border-slate-100 py-12">
         <div className="container-custom">
-          <h1 className="text-3xl md:text-4xl font-bold text-[#1E293B] mb-2" style={{ fontFamily: 'Playfair Display, serif' }}>
-            RIT{' '}
-            <span style={{ background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #F97316, #FB923C)', WebkitBackgroundClip: 'text', WebkitTextFillColor: 'transparent', backgroundClip: 'text' }}>
-              Community
-            </span>
+          <h1 className="text-2xl md:text-3xl font-bold text-slate-900 mb-2 tracking-tight" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
+            RIT Community
           </h1>
-          <p className="text-[#475569]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
+          <p className="text-slate-500 text-sm" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
             Ask questions, share confessions, and connect with fellow RIT students.
           </p>
         </div>
       </div>
 
-      <div className="container-custom py-8">
+      <div className="container-custom py-10">
         {/* Tabs */}
-        <div className="flex gap-2 bg-white rounded-2xl p-2 border border-[#E5E7EB] mb-8 w-fit" style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}>
+        <div className="flex gap-1.5 bg-slate-100 rounded-xl p-1.5 border border-slate-200/40 mb-8 w-fit">
           {[
             { id: 'qa' as Tab, label: 'Freshers Q&A', icon: MessageCircle },
             { id: 'confession' as Tab, label: 'Confessions', icon: Heart },
@@ -69,19 +251,18 @@ export default function Community() {
             <button
               key={tab.id}
               onClick={() => setActiveTab(tab.id)}
-              className="relative flex items-center gap-2 px-5 py-2.5 rounded-xl text-sm font-medium transition-all"
-              style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif', color: activeTab === tab.id ? 'white' : '#475569' }}
+              className="relative flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg text-[13px] font-medium transition-all cursor-pointer"
+              style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif', color: activeTab === tab.id ? '#ffffff' : '#64748B' }}
             >
               {activeTab === tab.id && (
                 <motion.div
                   layoutId="community-tab"
-                  className="absolute inset-0 rounded-xl"
-                  style={{ background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #F97316, #FB923C)' }}
-                  transition={{ type: 'spring', bounce: 0.2, duration: 0.4 }}
+                  className="absolute inset-0 rounded-lg bg-slate-950"
+                  transition={{ type: 'spring', bounce: 0.15, duration: 0.35 }}
                 />
               )}
               <span className="relative z-10 flex items-center gap-2">
-                <tab.icon className="w-4 h-4" />
+                <tab.icon className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
                 {tab.label}
               </span>
             </button>
@@ -93,33 +274,42 @@ export default function Community() {
           {activeTab === 'qa' && (
             <motion.div
               key="qa"
-              initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 16 }}
+              initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 12 }}
               animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
-              exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -16 }}
-              transition={{ duration: 0.3 }}
+              exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -12 }}
+              transition={{ duration: 0.25 }}
             >
               <div className="grid grid-cols-1 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-8">
                 <div className="lg:col-span-2">
                   {/* Ask Question Box */}
-                  <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5 mb-6" style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}>
-                    <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-[#1E293B] mb-3" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Ask a Question</h3>
+                  <div className="bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-200/80 p-5 mb-8 shadow-xs">
+                    <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-slate-900 mb-3 tracking-tight" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Ask a Question</h3>
                     <textarea
                       value={questionText}
                       onChange={(e) => setQuestionText(e.target.value)}
                       placeholder="What's on your mind? Ask your seniors anything about RIT..."
                       rows={3}
-                      className="w-full border border-[#E5E7EB] rounded-xl p-3 text-sm text-[#1E293B] placeholder-[#94A3B8] focus:outline-none focus:border-[#F97316] resize-none transition-colors mb-3"
+                      className="w-full border border-slate-200 rounded-xl p-3 text-[13px] text-slate-800 placeholder-slate-400 focus:outline-none focus:border-slate-400 focus:bg-white bg-slate-50/30 resize-none transition-all mb-3"
+                      style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}
+                    />
+                    <input
+                      type="text"
+                      value={authorName}
+                      onChange={(e) => setAuthorName(e.target.value)}
+                      placeholder="Your Name (optional)"
+                      className="w-full md:w-64 border border-slate-200 rounded-xl px-3 py-2 text-[13px] text-slate-800 placeholder-slate-400 focus:outline-none focus:border-slate-400 focus:bg-white bg-slate-50/30 transition-all mb-4"
                       style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}
                     />
                     <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
-                      <span className="text-xs text-[#94A3B8]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
+                      <span className="text-[11px] text-slate-400" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
                         Your question will be visible to all students
                       </span>
                       <motion.button
-                        whileHover={{ scale: 1.03 }}
-                        whileTap={{ scale: 0.97 }}
-                        className="flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded-xl text-white text-sm font-semibold"
-                        style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif', background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #F97316, #FB923C)' }}
+                        whileHover={{ scale: 1.01 }}
+                        whileTap={{ scale: 0.99 }}
+                        onClick={handlePostQuestion}
+                        className="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-4 py-2 rounded-xl text-white text-[13px] font-semibold bg-[#F97316] hover:bg-[#EA580C] transition-colors cursor-pointer"
+                        style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}
                       >
                         <Plus className="w-4 h-4" />
                         Post Question
@@ -127,92 +317,237 @@ export default function Community() {
                     </div>
                   </div>
 
+
                   {/* Search */}
-                  <div className="relative mb-5">
-                    <Search className="absolute left-4 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 w-4 h-4 text-[#94A3B8]" />
+                  <div className="relative mb-6">
+                    <Search className="absolute left-4 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 w-4 h-4 text-slate-400" />
                     <input
                       type="text"
                       placeholder="Search questions..."
                       value={searchQuery}
                       onChange={(e) => setSearchQuery(e.target.value)}
-                      className="w-full pl-10 pr-4 py-2.5 rounded-xl border border-[#E5E7EB] bg-white text-sm text-[#1E293B] placeholder-[#94A3B8] focus:outline-none focus:border-[#F97316] transition-colors"
+                      className="w-full pl-10 pr-4 py-2.5 rounded-xl border border-slate-200 bg-white text-[13px] text-slate-800 placeholder-slate-400 focus:outline-none focus:border-slate-400 transition-colors"
                       style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}
                     />
                   </div>
 
                   {/* Questions */}
-                  <StaggerContainer className="flex flex-col gap-4">
-                    {filteredQuestions.map((q) => (
-                      <StaggerItem key={q.id}>
-                        <motion.div
-                          whileHover={{ y: -2 }}
-                          className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5"
-                          style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}
-                        >
-                          <div className="flex items-start gap-4">
-                            {/* Votes */}
-                            <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-1 shrink-0">
-                              <button
-                                onClick={() => toggleLike(q.id)}
-                                className="w-8 h-8 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center transition-all"
-                                style={{ backgroundColor: likedIds.has(q.id) ? '#FFF7ED' : '#F8FAFC' }}
-                              >
-                                <ThumbsUp className="w-4 h-4" style={{ color: likedIds.has(q.id) ? '#F97316' : '#94A3B8' }} />
-                              </button>
-                              <span className="text-xs font-semibold text-[#475569]">{q.votes + (likedIds.has(q.id) ? 1 : 0)}</span>
-                            </div>
-
-                            <div className="flex-1">
-                              <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-[#1E293B] mb-1.5 hover:text-[#F97316] cursor-pointer transition-colors"
-                                style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
-                                {q.title}
-                              </h3>
-                              <p className="text-xs text-[#94A3B8] mb-3 line-clamp-2" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{q.body}</p>
-                              <div className="flex items-center justify-between flex-wrap gap-2">
-                                <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-1.5">
-                                  {q.tags.map((tag) => (
-                                    <span
-                                      key={tag}
-                                      className="px-2 py-0.5 rounded-full text-[10px] font-medium bg-[#F8FAFC] text-[#94A3B8] border border-[#E5E7EB]"
-                                      style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}
-                                    >
-                                      #{tag}
-                                    </span>
-                                  ))}
-                                </div>
-                                <div className="flex items-center gap-3 text-xs text-[#94A3B8]">
-                                  <span className="flex items-center gap-1">
-                                    <MessageCircle className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
-                                    {q.answers} answers
-                                  </span>
-                                  {q.isAnswered && (
-                                    <span className="px-2 py-0.5 rounded-full bg-emerald-50 text-emerald-600 text-[10px] font-semibold">✓ Answered</span>
-                                  )}
-                                </div>
+                  <div id="qa-questions-list">
+                    {loading ? (
+                      <div className="flex flex-col gap-3">
+                        {[...Array(PAGE_SIZE)].map((_, i) => (
+                          <div key={i} className="bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-200/50 p-5 animate-pulse">
+                            <div className="flex items-start gap-4">
+                              <div className="w-10 h-10 rounded-xl bg-slate-100 shrink-0" />
+                              <div className="flex-1 space-y-2">
+                                <div className="h-3 w-1/4 rounded bg-slate-100" />
+                                <div className="h-4 w-2/3 rounded bg-slate-100" />
+                                <div className="h-3 w-full rounded bg-slate-100" />
                               </div>
                             </div>
                           </div>
-                        </motion.div>
-                      </StaggerItem>
-                    ))}
-                  </StaggerContainer>
+                        ))}
+                      </div>
+                    ) : (
+                      <StaggerContainer key={`${currentPage}-${filteredQuestions.length}`} className="flex flex-col gap-4">
+                        {filteredQuestions.map((q, idx) => {
+                          const isFeatured = idx === 0 && searchQuery === '' && currentPage === 0;
+                      return (
+                        <StaggerItem key={q.id}>
+                          <motion.div
+                            whileHover={{ y: -0.5 }}
+                            className={`bg-white rounded-xl border p-5 transition-all duration-300 hover:border-slate-350 hover:shadow-[0_8px_30px_rgba(17,24,39,0.015)] ${
+                              isFeatured
+                                ? 'border-l-2 border-l-slate-800 border-slate-200'
+                                : 'border-slate-200/50'
+                            }`}
+                          >
+                            <div className="flex items-start gap-4">
+                              {/* Avatar */}
+                              <img
+                                src={getAvatar(q.author)}
+                                alt={q.author}
+                                className="w-10 h-10 rounded-xl object-cover bg-slate-50 border border-slate-100 shrink-0"
+                              />
+
+                              <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+                                {/* Header / Meta */}
+                                <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mb-1.5 flex-wrap">
+                                  <span className="text-xs font-bold text-slate-800 hover:text-slate-900 transition-colors" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>{q.author}</span>
+                                  <span className="text-[10px] text-slate-300">•</span>
+                                  <span className="text-[10px] text-slate-400 font-medium" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{getRelativeTime(q.createdAt)}</span>
+                                  {isFeatured && (
+                                    <span className="ml-auto bg-amber-50 text-amber-700 border border-amber-200/40 text-[9px] px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded font-semibold tracking-wide uppercase">★ Popular</span>
+                                  )}
+                                </div>
+
+                                <h3 className={`font-bold text-slate-900 mb-1 hover:text-slate-700 cursor-pointer transition-colors tracking-tight ${
+                                  isFeatured ? 'text-base md:text-lg' : 'text-sm md:text-base'
+                                }`}
+                                  style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
+                                  {q.title}
+                                </h3>
+                                <p className="text-[13px] text-slate-650 mb-4 leading-relaxed line-clamp-2" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
+                                  {q.body}
+                                </p>
+
+                                <div className="flex items-center justify-between flex-wrap gap-3 pt-1.5 border-t border-slate-100/60">
+                                  <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-1.5">
+                                    {(q.tags || []).map((tag: string) => (
+                                      <span
+                                        key={tag}
+                                        className="px-2 py-0.5 rounded-md text-[10px] font-medium bg-slate-50 text-slate-500 border border-slate-100/60 hover:bg-slate-100/60 hover:text-slate-700 transition-colors cursor-pointer"
+                                        style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}
+                                      >
+                                        #{tag}
+                                      </span>
+                                    ))}
+                                  </div>
+
+                                  <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-[10px] text-slate-400 font-bold">
+                                    <button
+                                      onClick={() => toggleAnswers(q.id)}
+                                      className={`flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg transition-all duration-200 cursor-pointer border border-slate-200/30 ${
+                                        expandedQuestionIds.has(q.id.toString())
+                                          ? 'bg-slate-900 text-white border-slate-900'
+                                          : 'bg-slate-50 hover:bg-slate-100 text-slate-500 hover:text-slate-700'
+                                      }`}
+                                    >
+                                      <MessageCircle className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
+                                      <span>{getAnswersCount(q)} answers</span>
+                                    </button>
+                                    {q.isAnswered && (
+                                      <span className="bg-emerald-50 text-emerald-700 border border-emerald-200/40 text-[9px] px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded font-semibold tracking-wide uppercase">✓ Answered</span>
+                                    )}
+
+                                    {/* Like/Vote Button inside bottom bar */}
+                                    <button
+                                      onClick={() => toggleLike(q.id)}
+                                      className={`flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg transition-all duration-200 cursor-pointer border ${
+                                        likedIds.has(q.id.toString())
+                                          ? 'bg-rose-50 text-rose-600 border-rose-100/60 hover:bg-rose-100/60'
+                                          : 'bg-slate-50 hover:bg-slate-100 text-slate-500 hover:text-slate-700 border-slate-200/30'
+                                      }`}
+                                    >
+                                      <ThumbsUp className="w-3 h-3" />
+                                      <span>{getVotesCount(q) + (likedIds.has(q.id.toString()) ? 1 : 0)}</span>
+                                    </button>
+                                  </div>
+                                </div>
+
+                                {/* Expandable Answers Section */}
+                                {expandedQuestionIds.has(q.id.toString()) && (
+                                  <div className="mt-4 pt-4 border-t border-slate-100 flex flex-col gap-3.5 pl-3 border-l-2 border-l-slate-100">
+                                    <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+                                      <h4 className="text-[11px] font-bold text-slate-700 tracking-tight uppercase" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
+                                        Answers ({getAnswersCount(q)})
+                                      </h4>
+                                    </div>
+                                    {Array.isArray(q.answers) && q.answers.length > 0 ? (
+                                      <div className="flex flex-col gap-2.5 max-h-60 overflow-y-auto pr-1">
+                                        {q.answers.map((ans: any) => (
+                                          <div key={ans.id} className="bg-slate-50/50 rounded-xl p-3.5 border border-slate-100 hover:bg-slate-50/80 transition-colors">
+                                            <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mb-1.5 flex-wrap">
+                                              <span className="text-xs font-bold text-slate-700" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>{ans.author}</span>
+                                              <span className="text-[9px] text-slate-300">•</span>
+                                              <span className="text-[10px] text-slate-400 font-medium" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{getRelativeTime(ans.createdAt)}</span>
+                                            </div>
+                                            <p className="text-xs text-slate-600 leading-relaxed" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
+                                              {ans.body}
+                                            </p>
+                                          </div>
+                                        ))}
+                                      </div>
+                                    ) : (
+                                      <p className="text-xs text-slate-400 italic font-medium py-1" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
+                                        No answers posted yet. Senior helpers can reply to this question via the Telegram Bot!
+                                      </p>
+                                    )}
+                                  </div>
+                                )}
+                              </div>
+                            </div>
+                          </motion.div>
+                        </StaggerItem>
+                      );
+                        })}
+                      </StaggerContainer>
+                    )}
+
+                  {/* Pagination Controls */}
+                  {totalPages > 1 && (
+                    <div className="flex items-center justify-between mt-6 px-1">
+                      <motion.button
+                        whileHover={{ scale: 1.04 }}
+                        whileTap={{ scale: 0.95 }}
+                        onClick={() => handlePageChange(currentPage - 1)}
+                        disabled={currentPage === 0 || loading}
+                        className={`flex items-center gap-1.5 px-4 py-2 rounded-xl border text-[12px] font-semibold transition-all duration-200 cursor-pointer ${
+                          currentPage === 0 || loading
+                            ? 'border-slate-100 bg-slate-50 text-slate-300 cursor-not-allowed'
+                            : 'border-slate-200 bg-white text-slate-700 hover:bg-slate-50 hover:border-slate-300 shadow-sm'
+                        }`}
+                        style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}
+                      >
+                        <ChevronRight className="w-4 h-4 rotate-180" />
+                        Prev
+                      </motion.button>
+
+                      <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
+                        {Array.from({ length: totalPages }).map((_, i) => (
+                          <motion.button
+                            key={i}
+                            whileHover={{ scale: 1.1 }}
+                            whileTap={{ scale: 0.9 }}
+                            onClick={() => handlePageChange(i)}
+                            disabled={loading}
+                            className={`w-7 h-7 rounded-lg text-[11px] font-bold transition-all duration-200 cursor-pointer border ${
+                              i === currentPage
+                                ? 'bg-slate-900 text-white border-slate-900'
+                                : 'bg-white text-slate-500 border-slate-200 hover:border-slate-300 hover:bg-slate-50'
+                            }`}
+                            style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}
+                          >
+                            {i + 1}
+                          </motion.button>
+                        ))}
+                      </div>
+
+                      <motion.button
+                        whileHover={{ scale: 1.04 }}
+                        whileTap={{ scale: 0.95 }}
+                        onClick={() => handlePageChange(currentPage + 1)}
+                        disabled={currentPage >= totalPages - 1 || loading}
+                        className={`flex items-center gap-1.5 px-4 py-2 rounded-xl border text-[12px] font-semibold transition-all duration-200 cursor-pointer ${
+                          currentPage >= totalPages - 1 || loading
+                            ? 'border-slate-100 bg-slate-50 text-slate-300 cursor-not-allowed'
+                            : 'border-slate-200 bg-white text-slate-700 hover:bg-slate-50 hover:border-slate-300 shadow-sm'
+                        }`}
+                        style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}
+                      >
+                        Next
+                        <ChevronRight className="w-4 h-4" />
+                      </motion.button>
+                    </div>
+                  )}
+                  </div>
                 </div>
 
                 {/* Sidebar */}
-                <div className="flex flex-col gap-5">
+                <div className="flex flex-col gap-6">
                   {/* Trending */}
                   <AnimatedContainer direction="right" delay={0.1}>
-                    <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5" style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}>
+                    <div className="bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-200/80 p-5 shadow-xs">
                       <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mb-4">
-                        <TrendingUp className="w-4.5 h-4.5 text-[#F97316]" />
-                        <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-[#1E293B]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Trending Topics</h3>
+                        <TrendingUp className="w-4 h-4 text-slate-600" />
+                        <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-slate-850 tracking-tight" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Trending Topics</h3>
                       </div>
-                      <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
+                      <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-1.5">
                         {TRENDING_TAGS.map((tag) => (
                           <button
                             key={tag}
                             onClick={() => setSearchQuery(tag)}
-                            className="px-3 py-1.5 rounded-full text-xs font-medium bg-[#FFF7ED] text-[#F97316] hover:bg-[#F97316] hover:text-white transition-all border border-[#FED7AA]"
+                            className="px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg text-[11px] font-medium bg-slate-100 text-slate-600 hover:bg-slate-200 hover:text-slate-900 transition-all border-0 cursor-pointer"
                             style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}
                           >
                             #{tag}
@@ -224,15 +559,15 @@ export default function Community() {
 
                   {/* Stats */}
                   <AnimatedContainer direction="right" delay={0.2}>
-                    <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5" style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}>
+                    <div className="bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-200/80 p-5 shadow-xs">
                       {[
                         { label: 'Total Questions', value: '124' },
                         { label: 'Answered', value: '98%' },
                         { label: 'Active Students', value: '340+' },
                       ].map((stat, i) => (
-                        <div key={i} className={`flex justify-between py-2.5 ${i < 2 ? 'border-b border-[#E5E7EB]' : ''}`}>
-                          <span className="text-xs text-[#94A3B8]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{stat.label}</span>
-                          <span className="text-xs font-bold text-[#F97316]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>{stat.value}</span>
+                        <div key={i} className={`flex justify-between py-2.5 ${i < 2 ? 'border-b border-slate-100' : ''}`}>
+                          <span className="text-xs text-slate-400" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{stat.label}</span>
+                          <span className="text-xs font-bold text-slate-900" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>{stat.value}</span>
                         </div>
                       ))}
                     </div>
@@ -246,25 +581,25 @@ export default function Community() {
           {activeTab === 'confession' && (
             <motion.div
               key="confession"
-              initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 16 }}
+              initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 12 }}
               animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
-              exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -16 }}
-              transition={{ duration: 0.3 }}
+              exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -12 }}
+              transition={{ duration: 0.25 }}
             >
               <div className="grid grid-cols-1 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-8">
                 <div className="lg:col-span-2">
                   {/* Post confession */}
                   <div
-                    className="rounded-3xl p-6 mb-8 border"
-                    style={{ background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #1E293B, #334155)', borderColor: 'rgba(255,255,255,0.1)' }}
+                    className="rounded-xl p-5 mb-6 border"
+                    style={{ background: '#0F172A', borderColor: 'rgba(255,255,255,0.05)' }}
                   >
                     <div className="flex items-center gap-3 mb-4">
-                      <div className="w-10 h-10 rounded-xl flex items-center justify-center" style={{ backgroundColor: 'rgba(249,115,22,0.2)' }}>
-                        <Lock className="w-5 h-5 text-[#F97316]" />
+                      <div className="w-9 h-9 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center bg-slate-800">
+                        <Lock className="w-4.5 h-4.5 text-slate-300" />
                       </div>
                       <div>
-                        <h3 className="text-white font-semibold text-sm" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Share Anonymously</h3>
-                        <p className="text-slate-400 text-xs">Your identity is never revealed</p>
+                        <h3 className="text-white font-semibold text-sm tracking-tight" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Share Anonymously</h3>
+                        <p className="text-slate-400 text-[11px]">Your identity is never revealed</p>
                       </div>
                     </div>
 
@@ -273,29 +608,26 @@ export default function Community() {
                       onChange={(e) => setConfessionText(e.target.value)}
                       placeholder="Share your thoughts, stories, crushes, or anything on your mind... It's completely anonymous 🤫"
                       rows={4}
-                      className="w-full rounded-xl p-4 text-sm placeholder-slate-500 focus:outline-none resize-none mb-4"
+                      className="w-full rounded-xl p-3 text-[13px] placeholder-slate-500 focus:outline-none resize-none mb-4 bg-white/5 border border-white/10 text-white"
                       style={{
                         fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif',
-                        backgroundColor: 'rgba(255,255,255,0.06)',
-                        border: '1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1)',
-                        color: 'white',
                       }}
                     />
 
-                    <div className="flex items-center gap-3 p-3 rounded-xl mb-4" style={{ backgroundColor: 'rgba(249,115,22,0.1)', border: '1px solid rgba(249,115,22,0.2)' }}>
-                      <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-[#F97316] shrink-0" />
-                      <span className="text-xs text-slate-400" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
+                    <div className="flex items-center gap-2.5 p-3 rounded-lg mb-4 bg-white/5 border border-white/10">
+                      <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-slate-300 shrink-0" />
+                      <span className="text-[11px] text-slate-400" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>
                         No IP tracking. No username. 100% anonymous posting.
                       </span>
                     </div>
 
                     <div className="flex items-center gap-3">
                       <motion.button
-                        whileHover={{ scale: 1.03 }}
-                        whileTap={{ scale: 0.97 }}
+                        whileHover={{ scale: 1.01 }}
+                        whileTap={{ scale: 0.99 }}
                         onClick={handleConfess}
-                        className="flex items-center gap-2 px-6 py-2.5 rounded-xl text-white text-sm font-semibold"
-                        style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif', background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #F97316, #FB923C)' }}
+                        className="flex items-center gap-1.5 px-4 py-2 rounded-xl text-white text-[13px] font-semibold bg-[#F97316] hover:bg-[#EA580C] transition-colors cursor-pointer"
+                        style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}
                       >
                         <Smile className="w-4 h-4" />
                         Post Anonymously
@@ -322,39 +654,41 @@ export default function Community() {
                     {CONFESSIONS_DATA.map((conf) => (
                       <StaggerItem key={conf.id}>
                         <motion.div
-                          whileHover={{ y: -2 }}
-                          className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5"
-                          style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}
+                          whileHover={{ y: -0.5 }}
+                          className="bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-200/50 p-5 transition-all duration-300 hover:border-slate-350 hover:shadow-[0_8px_30px_rgba(17,24,39,0.015)]"
                         >
                           <div className="flex items-start justify-between mb-3">
-                            <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
-                              <div className="w-8 h-8 rounded-xl flex items-center justify-center bg-[#FFF7ED]">
-                                <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-[#F97316]" />
+                            <div className="flex items-center gap-2.5">
+                              <div className="w-8 h-8 rounded-lg flex items-center justify-center bg-slate-50 border border-slate-100">
+                                <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-slate-500" />
                               </div>
                               <div>
-                                <span className="text-xs font-semibold text-[#1E293B]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Anonymous</span>
-                                <p className="text-[10px] text-[#94A3B8]">{formatDate(conf.createdAt)}</p>
+                                <span className="text-xs font-bold text-slate-800" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>Anonymous</span>
+                                <p className="text-[10px] text-slate-400 font-medium" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{getRelativeTime(conf.createdAt)}</p>
                               </div>
                             </div>
                             {conf.category && (
-                              <span className="px-2.5 py-0.5 rounded-full text-[10px] font-semibold bg-[#FFF7ED] text-[#F97316] border border-[#FED7AA]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
+                              <span className="px-2 py-0.5 rounded text-[10px] font-semibold bg-slate-55 text-slate-650 border border-slate-200/40" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
                                 {conf.category}
                               </span>
                             )}
                           </div>
-                          <p className="text-sm text-[#475569] leading-relaxed mb-4" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{conf.content}</p>
+                          <p className="text-[13px] text-slate-750 leading-relaxed mb-4" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{conf.content}</p>
                           <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
                             <button
                               onClick={() => toggleLike(conf.id)}
-                              className="flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-xl transition-all"
-                              style={{ backgroundColor: likedIds.has(conf.id) ? '#FFF7ED' : '#F8FAFC' }}
+                              className={`flex items-center gap-1.5 px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg transition-all duration-200 cursor-pointer border text-[10px] font-bold ${
+                                likedIds.has(conf.id)
+                                  ? 'bg-rose-50 text-rose-600 border-rose-100/60 hover:bg-rose-100/60'
+                                  : 'bg-slate-50 hover:bg-slate-100 text-slate-500 hover:text-slate-700 border-slate-200/30'
+                              }`}
                             >
                               <Heart
                                 className="w-3.5 h-3.5"
-                                style={{ color: likedIds.has(conf.id) ? '#F97316' : '#94A3B8' }}
-                                fill={likedIds.has(conf.id) ? '#F97316' : 'none'}
+                                fill={likedIds.has(conf.id) ? '#e11d48' : 'none'}
+                                color={likedIds.has(conf.id) ? '#e11d48' : 'currentColor'}
                               />
-                              <span className="text-xs text-[#94A3B8]">{conf.reactions + (likedIds.has(conf.id) ? 1 : 0)}</span>
+                              <span>{conf.reactions + (likedIds.has(conf.id) ? 1 : 0)}</span>
                             </button>
                           </div>
                         </motion.div>
@@ -365,9 +699,9 @@ export default function Community() {
 
                 {/* Sidebar */}
                 <AnimatedContainer direction="right" delay={0.15}>
-                  <div className="bg-white rounded-2xl border border-[#E5E7EB] p-5" style={{ boxShadow: '0 2px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.07)' }}>
-                    <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-[#1E293B] mb-4 flex items-center gap-2" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
-                      <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-[#F97316]" />
+                  <div className="bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-200/80 p-5 shadow-xs">
+                    <h3 className="text-sm font-semibold text-slate-850 mb-4 flex items-center gap-2" style={{ fontFamily: 'Poppins, sans-serif' }}>
+                      <Shield className="w-4 h-4 text-slate-500" />
                       Community Rules
                     </h3>
                     {[
@@ -377,9 +711,9 @@ export default function Community() {
                       'Keep it relevant to campus life',
                       'Confessions are 100% anonymous',
                     ].map((rule, i) => (
-                      <div key={i} className="flex items-start gap-2.5 py-2.5 border-b border-[#E5E7EB] last:border-0">
-                        <ChevronRight className="w-3.5 h-3.5 text-[#F97316] mt-0.5 shrink-0" />
-                        <span className="text-xs text-[#475569]" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{rule}</span>
+                      <div key={i} className="flex items-start gap-2.5 py-2.5 border-b border-slate-100 last:border-0">
+                        <ChevronRight className="w-3.5 h-3.5 text-slate-400 mt-0.5 shrink-0" />
+                        <span className="text-xs text-slate-650" style={{ fontFamily: 'Inter, sans-serif' }}>{rule}</span>
                       </div>
                     ))}
                   </div>

telegram-bot/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# 🤖 RIT Freshers Hub - Telegram Q&A Intermediary Bot
+
+This is a lightweight Python microservice that acts as an intermediary between the student Q&A forum and registered helper accounts (Seniors/Staff) on Telegram.
+
+---
+
+## 🚀 How It Works
+1. **Student submits a question** on the web portal.
+2. **Spring Boot Backend** saves the question and triggers an HTTP POST request to the Python bot: `/send_question`.
+3. **Telegram Bot** broadcasts the question with a `force_reply` prompt to all configured helper accounts.
+4. **Helpers reply** directly to the Telegram message.
+5. **Telegram Bot** captures the reply, maps it back to the original question ID, and pushes the answer back to the Spring Boot REST endpoint (`POST /api/questions/{id}/answers`).
+
+---
+
+## 🛠️ Installation & Setup
+
+### 1. Install Dependencies
+Run this in the `telegram-bot/` directory:
+```bash
+pip install -r requirements.txt
+```
+
+### 2. Configure the Bot
+Update [config.json](config.json):
+```json
+{
+  "telegram_bot_token": "YOUR_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN",
+  "helper_chat_ids": [
+    971749136
+  ],
+  "spring_backend_url": "http://localhost:8080"
+}
+```
+
+#### How to find your Telegram Chat ID:
+1. Search for the bot username on Telegram and click **Start** (or send `/start`).
+2. The bot will automatically reply with your exact **Chat ID**.
+3. Add this ID to the `helper_chat_ids` array in `config.json`. The bot dynamically reloads configuration changes on the fly!
+
+---
+
+## 🏃 Running the Bot
+
+Start the server:
+```bash
+python telegram_bot.py
+```
+* **Bot Server Port**: `8082`
+* **Local Mappings Store**: `bot_mappings.db` (SQLite) is created automatically to persist message mappings so that replies continue to map to the correct questions even if the bot is restarted.

telegram-bot/config.json

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 {
-  "telegram_bot_token": "8859374355:AAH0dhwstkTBhRerRTjzmb2RG2fjPbigzvo",
-  "helper_chat_ids": [],
+  "telegram_bot_token": "",
+  "helper_chat_ids": [971749136,5567776672],
+  "discord_bot_token": "",
+  "discord_helper_user_ids": [789393727641878568],
   "spring_backend_url": "http://localhost:8080"
-}
+}

telegram-bot/requirements.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+requests>=2.28.0
+fastapi>=0.95.0
+uvicorn>=0.20.0
+pydantic>=2.0
+discord.py>=2.0.0

telegram-bot/scrape_bus_routes.py

@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+import requests
+import json
+import re
+import os
+from urllib.parse import urljoin
+from bs4 import BeautifulSoup
+
+def scrape_routes():
+    base_url = "https://www.rittransport.com/"
+    index_url = urljoin(base_url, "js/51jan26.php")
+    
+    print(f"Fetching index from {index_url}...")
+    res = requests.get(index_url)
+    res.encoding = 'utf-8'
+    soup = BeautifulSoup(res.text, 'html.parser')
+    
+    routes = []
+    # Find table
+    table = soup.find('table')
+    if not table:
+        print("No table found on index page.")
+        return
+        
+    rows = table.find_all('tr')
+    for row in rows:
+        cells = row.find_all('td')
+        if len(cells) < 4:
+            continue
+        
+        sno = cells[0].get_text(strip=True)
+        rno = cells[1].get_text(strip=True)
+        rname = cells[2].get_text(strip=True)
+        
+        # Link is in cells[3] (Timing column)
+        link_tag = cells[3].find('a')
+        if not link_tag or not link_tag.get('href'):
+            continue
+            
+        href = link_tag.get('href')
+        detail_url = urljoin("https://www.rittransport.com/js/", href.strip())
+        
+        start_time = cells[4].get_text(strip=True)
+        
+        routes.append({
+            "number": rno,
+            "name": rname,
+            "detail_url": detail_url,
+            "start_time": start_time
+        })
+        
+    print(f"Found {len(routes)} routes. Fetching details...")
+    
+    detailed_routes = []
+    
+    # Colors for frontend UI
+    colors = [
+        '#F97316', '#3B82F6', '#10B981', '#8B5CF6', '#EF4444', 
+        '#EC4899', '#06B6D4', '#F59E0B', '#14B8A6', '#6366F1'
+    ]
+    
+    for i, r in enumerate(routes):
+        try:
+            detail_res = requests.get(r['detail_url'])
+            detail_res.encoding = 'utf-8'
+            html_content = detail_res.text
+            
+            dsoup = BeautifulSoup(html_content, 'html.parser')
+            stops = []
+            detail_rows = dsoup.find_all('tr')
+            
+            for drow in detail_rows:
+                tds = drow.find_all('td')
+                if len(tds) >= 2:
+                    stop_name = tds[0].get_text(strip=True)
+                    stop_time = tds[1].get_text(strip=True)
+                    
+                    stop_name = re.sub(r'\s+', ' ', stop_name).strip()
+                    stop_time = re.sub(r'\s+', ' ', stop_time).strip()
+                    
+                    if stop_name and not stop_name.startswith("R-") and not "Boarding" in stop_name:
+                        # Normalize time format
+                        stop_time = stop_time.replace('.', ':')
+                        if ':' in stop_time:
+                            parts = stop_time.split()
+                            time_part = parts[0]
+                            ampm_part = parts[1].upper() if len(parts) > 1 else "AM"
+                            h_m = time_part.split(':')
+                            if len(h_m) == 2:
+                                h, m = h_m[0].strip(), h_m[1].strip()
+                                h = "".join(filter(str.isdigit, h))
+                                m = "".join(filter(str.isdigit, m))
+                                if h and m:
+                                    h_int = int(h)
+                                    h_str = f"{h_int:02d}"
+                                    m_str = f"{int(m):02d}"
+                                    stop_time = f"{h_str}:{m_str} {ampm_part}"
+                        
+                        stops.append({
+                            "name": stop_name,
+                            "time": stop_time
+                        })
+            
+            if len(stops) > 0:
+                from_point = stops[0]['name']
+                to_point = stops[-1]['name']
+                departure_time = stops[0]['time']
+                arrival_time = stops[-1]['time']
+            else:
+                from_point = r['name']
+                to_point = "RIT Campus"
+                departure_time = r['start_time']
+                arrival_time = "07:40 AM"
+                
+            detailed_routes.append({
+                "number": r['number'],
+                "name": r['name'] + " Route",
+                "from": from_point,
+                "to": to_point,
+                "departureTime": departure_time,
+                "arrivalTime": arrival_time,
+                "color": colors[i % len(colors)],
+                "stops": stops
+            })
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Error scraping {r['number']}: {e}")
+            
+    # Save directly to the backend resources folder
+    target_dir = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "backend", "src", "main", "resources"))
+    if not os.path.exists(target_dir):
+        os.makedirs(target_dir, exist_ok=True)
+    output_path = os.path.join(target_dir, "bus_routes.json")
+    
+    with open(output_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+        json.dump(detailed_routes, f, indent=2)
+    print(f"Scraping completed. Saved to {output_path}.")
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    scrape_routes()

telegram-bot/telegram_bot.py

@@ -0,0 +1,362 @@
+import os
+import json
+import sqlite3
+import threading
+import time
+import logging
+import requests
+import asyncio
+import discord
+from fastapi import FastAPI, HTTPException
+from fastapi.middleware.cors import CORSMiddleware
+from pydantic import BaseModel
+import uvicorn
+
+# Configure Logging
+logging.basicConfig(
+    level=logging.INFO,
+    format="%(asctime)s [%(levelname)s] %(message)s",
+    handlers=[
+        logging.StreamHandler()
+    ]
+)
+
+# Load env variables from .env if present
+env_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), ".env")
+if os.path.exists(env_path):
+    with open(env_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as env_file:
+        for line in env_file:
+            line = line.strip()
+            if line and not line.startswith("#") and "=" in line:
+                key, val = line.split("=", 1)
+                os.environ[key.strip()] = val.strip()
+
+# Load Configuration
+CONFIG_PATH = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "config.json")
+
+def load_config():
+    if not os.path.exists(CONFIG_PATH):
+        default_config = {
+            "telegram_bot_token": "",
+            "helper_chat_ids": [],
+            "discord_bot_token": "",
+            "discord_helper_user_ids": [],
+            "spring_backend_url": "http://localhost:8080"
+        }
+        with open(CONFIG_PATH, "w") as f:
+            json.dump(default_config, f, indent=2)
+        return default_config
+    
+    with open(CONFIG_PATH, "r") as f:
+        return json.load(f)
+
+config = load_config()
+BOT_TOKEN = os.environ.get("TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN") or config.get("telegram_bot_token")
+DISCORD_TOKEN = os.environ.get("DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN") or config.get("discord_bot_token")
+BACKEND_URL = os.environ.get("SPRING_BACKEND_URL") or config.get("spring_backend_url", "http://localhost:8080")
+
+# Database Setup
+DB_PATH = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "bot_mappings.db")
+
+def init_db():
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_PATH)
+    cursor = conn.cursor()
+    cursor.execute("""
+        CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS question_mappings (
+            chat_id INTEGER,
+            message_id INTEGER,
+            question_id INTEGER,
+            PRIMARY KEY (chat_id, message_id)
+        )
+    """)
+    conn.commit()
+    conn.close()
+
+init_db()
+
+def save_mapping(chat_id: int, message_id: int, question_id: int):
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_PATH)
+    cursor = conn.cursor()
+    cursor.execute(
+        "INSERT OR REPLACE INTO question_mappings (chat_id, message_id, question_id) VALUES (?, ?, ?)",
+        (chat_id, message_id, question_id)
+    )
+    conn.commit()
+    conn.close()
+
+def get_question_id(chat_id: int, message_id: int) -> int:
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_PATH)
+    cursor = conn.cursor()
+    cursor.execute(
+        "SELECT question_id FROM question_mappings WHERE chat_id = ? AND message_id = ?",
+        (chat_id, message_id)
+    )
+    row = cursor.fetchone()
+    conn.close()
+    return row[0] if row else None
+
+# Telegram API Helpers
+def send_telegram_message(chat_id: int, text: str, reply_to_message_id: int = None) -> dict:
+    url = f"https://api.telegram.org/bot{BOT_TOKEN}/sendMessage"
+    payload = {
+        "chat_id": chat_id,
+        "text": text,
+        "parse_mode": "Markdown",
+        "reply_markup": {"force_reply": True, "selective": True}
+    }
+    if reply_to_message_id:
+        payload["reply_to_message_id"] = reply_to_message_id
+        
+    try:
+        response = requests.post(url, json=payload, timeout=10)
+        return response.json()
+    except Exception as e:
+        logging.error(f"Error sending Telegram message to {chat_id}: {e}")
+        return {}
+
+# Background Long Polling for Telegram Updates
+def telegram_polling_thread():
+    logging.info("Starting Telegram long polling thread...")
+    offset = 0
+    while True:
+        # Re-load config dynamic updates
+        current_config = load_config()
+        helpers = current_config.get("helper_chat_ids", [])
+        backend_url = current_config.get("spring_backend_url")
+        bot_token = current_config.get("telegram_bot_token")
+
+        url = f"https://api.telegram.org/bot{bot_token}/getUpdates"
+        params = {"offset": offset, "timeout": 20}
+        try:
+            response = requests.get(url, params=params, timeout=25)
+            data = response.json()
+            if not data.get("ok"):
+                logging.error(f"Telegram API getUpdates error: {data}")
+                time.sleep(5)
+                continue
+                
+            updates = data.get("result", [])
+            for update in updates:
+                offset = update["update_id"] + 1
+                
+                message = update.get("message")
+                if not message:
+                    continue
+                    
+                chat_id = message["chat"]["id"]
+                text = message.get("text", "").strip()
+                
+                # Help helper find their Chat ID
+                if text == "/start":
+                    welcome_text = (
+                        f"👋 *Welcome to RIT Freshers Hub Intermediary Bot!*\n\n"
+                        f"To configure this helper, register this Chat ID in the `config.json` file:\n"
+                        f"`{chat_id}`\n\n"
+                        f"Once registered, you will receive new student questions here and can reply directly to them."
+                    )
+                    send_telegram_message(chat_id, welcome_text)
+                    continue
+
+                # Process reply messages
+                reply_to = message.get("reply_to_message")
+                if reply_to:
+                    # Verify if helper is authorized
+                    if chat_id not in helpers:
+                        logging.warning(f"Unauthorized message from chat ID {chat_id}")
+                        send_telegram_message(chat_id, "⚠️ You are not registered as an authorized helper in config.json.")
+                        continue
+
+                    original_message_id = reply_to["message_id"]
+                    question_id = get_question_id(chat_id, original_message_id)
+                    
+                    if question_id:
+                        # Extract author name
+                        first_name = message["from"].get("first_name", "")
+                        last_name = message["from"].get("last_name", "")
+                        author_name = f"{first_name} {last_name}".strip() or "Senior Helper"
+                        
+                        logging.info(f"Submitting answer for question {question_id} by helper '{author_name}'")
+                        
+                        # Post answer to Spring Boot backend
+                        backend_endpoint = f"{backend_url}/api/questions/{question_id}/answers"
+                        answer_payload = {
+                            "body": text,
+                            "author": author_name
+                        }
+                        try:
+                            res = requests.post(backend_endpoint, json=answer_payload, timeout=10)
+                            if res.status_code == 200 or res.status_code == 201:
+                                send_telegram_message(chat_id, "✅ *Answer posted successfully to the Q&A board!*", reply_to_message_id=message["message_id"])
+                            else:
+                                send_telegram_message(chat_id, f"❌ *Failed to post answer to backend.* (Status: {res.status_code})\nResponse: {res.text[:100]}", reply_to_message_id=message["message_id"])
+                        except Exception as e:
+                            logging.error(f"Error calling backend endpoint {backend_endpoint}: {e}")
+                            send_telegram_message(chat_id, f"❌ *Connection error to backend.* ({e})", reply_to_message_id=message["message_id"])
+                    else:
+                        send_telegram_message(chat_id, "❓ This message does not correspond to any active question or the mapping has expired.", reply_to_message_id=message["message_id"])
+                        
+        except Exception as e:
+            logging.error(f"Error in long polling loop: {e}")
+            time.sleep(5)
+
+# Start Polling Thread
+polling_thread = threading.Thread(target=telegram_polling_thread, daemon=True)
+polling_thread.start()
+
+# Discord Bot Client Setup
+intents = discord.Intents.default()
+intents.messages = True
+intents.message_content = True
+
+discord_client = discord.Client(intents=intents)
+discord_loop = None
+
+@discord_client.event
+async def on_ready():
+    logging.info(f"Discord Bot logged in as {discord_client.user}!")
+
+@discord_client.event
+async def on_message(message):
+    if message.author == discord_client.user:
+        return
+
+    # Process DMs
+    if isinstance(message.channel, discord.DMChannel):
+        current_config = load_config()
+        discord_helpers = current_config.get("discord_helper_user_ids", [])
+        author_id = message.author.id
+        
+        # Verify helper is authorized
+        if author_id not in [int(x) for x in discord_helpers if str(x).isdigit()]:
+            logging.warning(f"Unauthorized Discord message from user ID {author_id}")
+            await message.channel.send("⚠️ You are not registered as an authorized helper in config.json.")
+            return
+
+        # Check if helper is replying to a specific question message
+        if message.reference and message.reference.message_id:
+            original_message_id = message.reference.message_id
+            question_id = get_question_id(author_id, original_message_id)
+            
+            if question_id:
+                author_name = message.author.name
+                logging.info(f"Submitting Discord answer for question {question_id} by helper '{author_name}'")
+                
+                # Post answer to Spring Boot backend
+                backend_url = current_config.get("spring_backend_url")
+                backend_endpoint = f"{backend_url}/api/questions/{question_id}/answers"
+                answer_payload = {
+                    "body": message.content,
+                    "author": author_name
+                }
+                try:
+                    res = requests.post(backend_endpoint, json=answer_payload, timeout=10)
+                    if res.status_code in [200, 201]:
+                        await message.reply("✅ *Answer posted successfully to the Q&A board!*")
+                    else:
+                        await message.reply(f"❌ *Failed to post answer to backend.* (Status: {res.status_code})")
+                except Exception as e:
+                    logging.error(f"Error calling backend endpoint {backend_endpoint}: {e}")
+                    await message.reply(f"❌ *Connection error to backend.* ({e})")
+            else:
+                await message.reply("❓ This message does not correspond to any active question or the mapping has expired.")
+        else:
+            await message.reply("💬 Please use the **Reply** feature on the question message to answer it so I know which question you're answering!")
+
+async def broadcast_discord_question(question_id: int, title: str, body: str, author: str, user_ids: list):
+    formatted_msg = (
+        f"❓ **New Student Question!**\n\n"
+        f"👤 **Author:** {author}\n"
+        f"📌 **Topic:** {title}\n"
+        f"📝 **Details:** {body}\n\n"
+        f"💬 **Reply directly to this message to submit your answer.**"
+    )
+    for user_id_val in user_ids:
+        try:
+            user_id = int(user_id_val)
+            user = await discord_client.fetch_user(user_id)
+            if user:
+                msg = await user.send(formatted_msg)
+                save_mapping(user_id, msg.id, question_id)
+                logging.info(f"Sent Discord DM to helper {user_id}")
+        except Exception as e:
+            logging.error(f"Failed to send Discord DM to helper {user_id_val}: {e}")
+
+def run_discord_bot():
+    global discord_loop
+    logging.info("Starting Discord bot thread...")
+    discord_loop = asyncio.new_event_loop()
+    asyncio.set_event_loop(discord_loop)
+    try:
+        discord_loop.run_until_complete(discord_client.start(DISCORD_TOKEN))
+    except Exception as e:
+        logging.error(f"Discord Bot failed to run: {e}")
+
+# Start Discord Bot Thread
+discord_thread = threading.Thread(target=run_discord_bot, daemon=True)
+discord_thread.start()
+
+# FastAPI Web Server Setup
+app = FastAPI(title="RIT Telegram & Discord Intermediary Bot HTTP Server")
+
+app.add_middleware(
+    CORSMiddleware,
+    allow_origins=["*"],
+    allow_credentials=True,
+    allow_methods=["*"],
+    allow_headers=["*"],
+)
+
+class QuestionPayload(BaseModel):
+    question_id: int
+    title: str
+    body: str
+    author: str
+
+@app.post("/send_question")
+def send_question(payload: QuestionPayload):
+    current_config = load_config()
+    
+    # 1. Telegram Broadcast
+    telegram_helpers = current_config.get("helper_chat_ids", [])
+    telegram_sent = 0
+    if telegram_helpers:
+        logging.info(f"Broadcasting question {payload.question_id} to {len(telegram_helpers)} Telegram helpers.")
+        formatted_msg = (
+            f"❓ *New Student Question!*\n\n"
+            f"👤 *Author:* {payload.author}\n"
+            f"📌 *Topic:* {payload.title}\n"
+            f"📝 *Details:* {payload.body}\n\n"
+            f"💬 *Reply to this message directly to submit your answer.*"
+        )
+        for chat_id in telegram_helpers:
+            res = send_telegram_message(chat_id, formatted_msg)
+            if res.get("ok"):
+                message_id = res["result"]["message_id"]
+                save_mapping(chat_id, message_id, payload.question_id)
+                telegram_sent += 1
+
+    # 2. Discord Broadcast
+    discord_helpers = current_config.get("discord_helper_user_ids", [])
+    discord_sent = 0
+    if discord_helpers and DISCORD_TOKEN:
+        logging.info(f"Broadcasting question {payload.question_id} to {len(discord_helpers)} Discord helpers.")
+        if discord_loop:
+            try:
+                asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(
+                    broadcast_discord_question(payload.question_id, payload.title, payload.body, payload.author, discord_helpers),
+                    discord_loop
+                )
+                discord_sent = len(discord_helpers)
+            except Exception as e:
+                logging.error(f"Error scheduling Discord broadcast: {e}")
+        else:
+            logging.warning("Discord loop not running. Skipping Discord broadcast.")
+
+    return {
+        "status": "success",
+        "telegram_delivered_to": telegram_sent,
+        "discord_queued_for": discord_sent
+    }
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    uvicorn.run(app, host="0.0.0.0", port=8082)

vite.config.ts

@@ -9,6 +9,15 @@ export default defineConfig({
     react(),
     tailwindcss(),
   ],
+  server: {
+    watch: {
+      ignored: [
+        '**/backend/**',
+        '**/telegram-bot/**',
+        '**/.git/**'
+      ]
+    }
+  },
   resolve: {
     alias: {
       '@': path.resolve(__dirname, './src'),