TrackAndFound

TrackAndFound

TrackAndFound was inspired by a problem that many students face on campus: losing important items and struggling to get them back. Whether it’s a charger, wallet, keycard, or laptop, losing something valuable can quickly derail a day. We noticed that many lost and found systems are fragmented, inconvenient, or ineffective, so we set out to build a simple platform that makes reporting, searching, and recovering items easier for the entire campus community.

What I learned

This project taught me how to turn a real world problem into a functional product. I learned how to build a full stack web application, design a user friendly interface, and connect frontend and backend systems in a way that creates a smooth experience for users. I also learned how important user trust and clarity are when building a system that deals with personal belongings. Good UX, clear item descriptions, and effective matching logic are critical when users are trying to recover something important.

How I built it

I built TrackAndFound as a fullstack application with a responsive frontend and a backend API. The frontend allows users to create posts for lost or found items, upload photos, add important details like location and time, and search for matching items. The backend handles user authentication, item storage, filtering, matching, and moderation features. I also incorporated an item matching system that helps surface relevant listings based on item descriptions, categories, and locations.

Challenges I faced

One of the biggest challenges was designing a system that is both easy to use and accurate. Lost item descriptions can be vague, and matching them to the right item is not always straightforward. I had to balance simplicity with enough detail to make matches useful. Another challenge was building trust into the platform. Since the app involves returning personal belongings, it was important to think about privacy, verification, and clear user flows that make the process feel safe and reliable.

I also faced technical challenges in integrating all parts of the system, including image uploads, API logic, database management, and responsive UI design. Debugging and refining the workflow took time, but it was essential to create a product that feels polished and actually useful.

Why this project matters

TrackAndFound addresses a real campus problem in a practical way. It helps students recover lost items faster and gives finders a clear and easy way to return what they’ve found. More than anything, the project is about solving a daily inconvenience through technology and community collaboration.

This project was a valuable experience in building something meaningful from an idea grounded in everyday life. It showed me how even a simple problem can become the foundation for a useful and impactful product.

Built With

• api
• app
• authentication
• crud
• express.js
• full-stack
• hackathon
• javascript
• location-based
• mongodb
• node.js
• react
• real-world
• reporting
• ui/ux
• vite
• web