Use case: REST API with auth, storage, and background jobs Tools: FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Redis, Docker Difficulty: Intermediate
Why this combo works
- Clear and durable backend foundation
- Good support for async work and structured APIs
- Portable setup for local and hosted environments
Caveats
- Background jobs need operational care
- Infra complexity is higher than serverless stacks
Use case: Event-driven backend for lightweight apps Tools: TypeScript, Cloudflare Workers, KV, Queues Difficulty: Intermediate
Why this combo works
- Fast global deployment model
- Nice fit for webhook handlers and edge-friendly APIs
- Lower ops burden for smaller products
Caveats
- Vendor-specific patterns can reduce portability
- Long-running tasks may need a separate service