Today's focus was on creating the backend API for the post creation feature, allowing users to generate and submit posts with necessary validations and authentication measures. This achievement is vital for enhancing the application's functionality by linking the frontend's post creation interface to a solid backend framework.

The session kicked off with a mentor-led coding session, which provided guidance on designing and implementing the API endpoint. This API is designed to accept post information, including captions, media URLs, and user details via a POST request. A significant challenge was to ensure that all incoming data underwent rigorous validation checks. We confirmed that fields like the post caption and media URL were complete, and any requests lacking required information received comprehensive error messages.

To protect the endpoint, we integrated the JWT-based authorization middleware developed in the previous phase. This integration guarantees that only authenticated users can create posts. We also added extra checks to manage expired or invalid tokens, enhancing the API's security further.

Adopting a test-driven development (TDD) strategy, I created unit tests to verify the API's performance across various scenarios, including missing fields, unauthorized attempts, and successful post submissions. Debugging these situations helped improve the logic and error-handling processes.

By the end of the session, the API endpoint was fully functional and ready for integration with the frontend. This milestone enriched my knowledge of constructing secure, scalable REST APIs while highlighting the significance of thorough validation and error management. The next steps will involve connecting this API to the frontend post creation component to ensure a seamless data flow for submissions.