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+# Copilot Instructions for Exam Manager
+
+## Architecture Overview
+- **Backend**: TypeScript (Node.js) located in [/backend](/backend). Uses `rjweb-server` for the web server and `mongodb` for the database.
+- **Frontend**: React (Vite) located in [/frontend](/frontend). Uses Tailwind CSS for styling and React Router for navigation.
+- **Database**: MongoDB. Database connection string is managed via `.env` file.
+- **Deployment**: Backend serves the frontend's built files from `/frontend/dist`. API routes are prefixed with `/api`.
+
+## Core Patterns & Conventions
+
+### Backend (Node.js/TypeScript)
+- **Server Framework**: `rjweb-server`. Routes are defined using `fileRouter.Path`.
+- **Database Access**: Use the exported `db` object from [backend/src/index.ts](backend/src/index.ts).
+- **Models & Types**: Defined in [backend/src/types.ts](backend/src/types.ts).
+- **Authentication**: Session-based using a cookie named `exams_session` or an `api-authentication` header. Use `authCheck` from [backend/src/lib/Auth.ts](backend/src/lib/Auth.ts) to protect routes.
+- **Static Files**: The backend serves the frontend's built files from `/frontend/dist`. API routes are prefixed with `/api`.
+
+### Frontend (React)
+- **API Calls**: Axios-based. Authentication is handled automatically via cookies. API paths start with `/api/`.
+- **Types**: Always keep [frontend/src/types.ts](frontend/src/types.ts) in sync with backend types.
+- **Routing**: Managed in [frontend/src/App.tsx](frontend/src/App.tsx). Protected routes should verify authentication with the backend.
+- **Icons**: Use `lucide-react` for iconography.
+
+## Developer Workflows
+- **Running with Docker**: Use `docker-compose up --build` to build both stacks and the DB.
+- **Local Backend Dev**: 
+  ```bash
+  cd backend
+  npm install
+  npm run dev
+  ```
+- **Local Frontend Dev**:
+  ```bash
+  cd frontend
+  npm install
+  npm run dev
+  ```
+
+## Important Files
+- [backend/src/index.ts](backend/src/index.ts): Entry point and server configuration.
+- [backend/src/routes/](backend/src/routes/): Directory containing all API endpoints.
+- [backend/src/types.ts](backend/src/types.ts): Shared TypeScript interfaces for models.
+- [frontend/src/App.tsx](frontend/src/App.tsx): Frontend routing and auth state.
+- [frontend/src/types.ts](frontend/src/types.ts): Type definitions for the frontend.