Sober Points — Full Platform Rescue, Completion & Feature Expansion
Overview
Sober Points is a lifestyle and rewards platform built to help users track habits, earn points, and engage with local activities. The project was originally stuck in development, missing essential features and lacking stability. I was brought in to complete the platform, implement advanced functionality like an interactive Airbnb-style map system, and finalize all backend integrations — delivering a production-ready product in just four days.
The Challenge
When I inherited the project, major portions of the platform were incomplete: authentication was unreliable, dashboards were broken, admin tools didn’t exist, and the map system was non-functional. The codebase had architectural issues, lacked API structure, and required a full cleanup. The main challenge was transforming a partially built system into a polished, scalable, and fully functional platform under tight deadlines.
Project Goals
- ✔ Stabilize the existing React codebase and fix critical blocking issues
- ✔ Implement an Airbnb-style interactive map with filters and dynamic markers
- ✔ Add Google Authentication and secure session management
- ✔ Create a full admin dashboard for content, blogs, and user management
- ✔ Integrate a headless CMS for structured content workflows
- ✔ Complete backend API development and server deployment on Linux + Nginx
Process
Codebase Audit & Architecture Cleanup
Reviewed all existing code, identified breaking issues, removed unused logic, and restructured core components for reliability and scalability.
Feature Completion & Bug Fixing
Finished all unfinished modules including authentication, user flows, dashboard sections, and core UI logic — completing what was pending for months within four days.
Interactive Map Development
Built a fully interactive map system inspired by Airbnb, allowing users to explore locations dynamically with tooltips, clustering, filters, and real-time updates.
Authentication & Account System
Added secure Google OAuth, JWT authentication, protected routes, refresh tokens, and admin access rules.
Admin Panel + Headless CMS
Built a custom admin dashboard allowing the team to manage blogs, static pages, users, and platform content using a connected headless CMS.
Backend API Development
Completed missing API routes, added validation, optimized database queries, and ensured proper error handling throughout the system.
Deployment on Linux (Nginx + PM2)
Configured and deployed the platform on a secure Linux server using PM2 and Nginx with caching, SSL, and optimized security headers.
Results
- ▲ Project completed in 4 days after being stuck for months
- ▲ Fully functional platform with stable authentication and dashboards
- ▲ Airbnb-style map system significantly improved user engagement
- ▲ Admin team can now manage blogs and content without developers
- ▲ High-performance deployment enabling fast response times
- ▲ Eliminated major bugs and improved system reliability
“The progress was unbelievable. Talha took a half-finished, unstable project and turned it into a polished platform in a matter of days. The new map system and admin tools completely transformed the product.”
— Sober Points Team