Data Flow

Understanding how data flows through FirstDevJob helps when debugging or adding features.

Request Types

Queries (Read Operations)

Queries fetch data and automatically subscribe to updates:

// Component subscribes to job listings
const jobs = useQuery(api.jobs.listApproved);

// Automatically updates when data changes

Mutations (Write Operations)

Mutations modify data and trigger subscription updates:

// Submit a new job
const submitJob = useMutation(api.jobs.submit);

await submitJob({
  title: "Junior Developer",
  company: "Acme Inc",
  // ...
});

Authentication Flow

1. User clicks Sign In
2. Clerk modal opens
3. User authenticates (OAuth or email)
4. Clerk returns JWT token
5. Convex validates token on each request
6. User identity available in backend functions

Job Lifecycle

Submit → Pending → Approved → Listed
                ↘ Rejected

After 2 weeks:
Approved → Outdated → Deleted (30 days)
Pending/Rejected → Deleted

Real-time Updates

Convex automatically pushes updates to subscribed clients:

1. Admin approves a job
2. Convex mutation updates database
3. All clients with active listApproved query receive update
4. UI re-renders with new data

No polling or manual refresh needed.