TREAD Talks

A modern, full-stack faith-based talks and content platform built with Next.js, Convex, and Better Auth.

Tech Stack

• Frontend: Next.js 16, React 19, Tailwind CSS v4
• Backend: Convex (database + backend functions)
• Authentication: Better Auth
• Email: Resend
• Deployment: Vercel

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js 22+ (LTS recommended)
• pnpm

Development

1. Clone the repository
2. Install dependencies:

   pnpm install

3. Set up environment variables (see Environment Variables section)
4. Start the development server:

   pnpm dev

   This runs both Next.js and Convex dev in parallel.

Deployment

Deployment is fully automated via Vercel:

• Push to main → Vercel automatically deploys Convex functions + Next.js app
• Preview deployments created automatically for pull requests

Build Process

pnpm run build
  → convex deploy --cmd 'pnpm run build:next'
    → 1. Deploys Convex functions to production
    → 2. Builds Next.js application

Environment Variables

Vercel

Required for automated deployment:

• CONVEX_DEPLOY_KEY - Get from Convex Dashboard → Settings → Deploy Keys

Convex

Set in Convex Dashboard → Settings → Environment Variables:

Authentication:

• BETTER_AUTH_SECRET - Random secret key for Better Auth
• SITE_URL - Your production URL (e.g., https://gettreadtalks.vercel.app)

Email (Resend):

• RESEND_API_KEY - Get from Resend Dashboard
• RESEND_FROM_EMAIL - Sender email address (defaults to delivered@resend.dev)
• RESEND_TEST_MODE - Set to false to send real emails (defaults to true)
• RESEND_TO_EMAIL - Recipient for sendTestEmail() function (development only)
• RESEND_WEBHOOK_SECRET - Get from Resend Dashboard → Webhooks

Email Setup Flow

Development (Current Setup):

1. Set in Convex Dashboard → Development:
   • RESEND_API_KEY - Your API key
   • RESEND_TEST_MODE=false - To send real test emails
   • RESEND_TO_EMAIL=your-email@example.com - Your email for testing
2. Emails send from delivered@resend.dev (default, works without domain verification)
3. Test using sendTestEmail function in Convex Dashboard

Production (When Ready to Launch):

1. Verify gettreadtalks.com domain in Resend Dashboard:
   • Add domain
   • Configure DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
   • Wait for verification
2. Set in Convex Dashboard → Production:
   • RESEND_API_KEY - Your API key
   • RESEND_FROM_EMAIL=noreply@gettreadtalks.com - Your verified domain
   • RESEND_TEST_MODE=false - To send real emails
3. Emails will send from noreply@gettreadtalks.com with replies to hello@gettreadtalks.com

🔗 Resources

• Better Auth Documentation
• Convex Documentation
• Next.js Documentation
• Tailwind CSS v4