# Flask Base Application

A simple Flask web application with user authentication features.

## Installation

```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://git.leoan.se/andreas/flask-base.git
cd flask-base

# Create and activate virtual environment (recommended)
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # On Linux/MacOS
# venv\Scripts\activate  # On Windows

# Install dependencies
pip install flask flask-sqlalchemy flask-login werkzeug

# Initialize database
flask init-db
```

## Usage

### Local Development
```bash
# Start development server
flask run --host=0.0.0.0 --port=5001

# Optional: Kill any existing flask server first
pkill -f "flask run" && flask run --host=0.0.0.0 --port=5001
```

### Docker Deployment
```bash
# First generate and set your secret key
python -c 'import secrets; print(f"FLASK_SECRET_KEY={secrets.token_hex(32)}")' >> .env

# Then start the container
docker-compose up --build

# Production deployment (detached mode)
docker-compose up --build -d
```

Note: Docker will automatically load the `.env` file from your project root

The application will be available at `http://localhost:5001`

### Persisting Data
The database will be preserved between container restarts through the `./instance` volume mount.

## Configuration

### Secret Key Management
The application uses a hierarchical configuration for the secret key:
1. Environment variable `FLASK_SECRET_KEY` (highest priority)
2. Hardcoded value in `app.py` (development fallback only)

**Production Setup:**
```bash
# Generate a secure secret key
python -c 'import secrets; print(secrets.token_hex(32))'

# Update .env file
echo "FLASK_SECRET_KEY=your_generated_secret_here" >> .env
```

**Important Security Notes:**
- Never commit the `.env` file to version control
- The default secret key should only be used for development
- In production, use proper secret management (Vault, KMS, etc.)

## Features
- User registration with password confirmation
- Secure password hashing
- Login/logout functionality
- SQLite database
- Environment-based configuration