jasonbrain.com

Full-Stack PHP Monorepo & Portfolio

View Source on GitHub

Project Overview

jasonbrain.com is more than just a portfolio; it is a custom-built, performance-optimized PHP application designed to demonstrate full-stack development capabilities without relying on heavy frameworks or CMS bloat.

The project serves as a central hub for my multi-disciplinary work, integrating music production, event services, and web development into a cohesive digital experience. It prioritizes speed, security, and maintainability.

Latest Update: v1.7.1 - Admin Dashboard & AI Foundation

This major release establishes the core infrastructure for a dynamic, self-hosted Content Management System (CMS) and introduces the service layer for AI integration.

  • Admin Dashboard: A secure, protected area for managing site settings, maintenance mode, and system diagnostics.
  • Database Integration: Migrated configuration to a MariaDB database for dynamic control without code edits.
  • AI Service Layer: Integrated `GeminiService` to handle communication with the Google Gemini API for future features.

Project Milestones

v1.7.0: Performance & Responsive Images

Implemented `srcset` and `sizes` attributes for optimized image delivery, improved mobile usability, and added social integration.

v1.6.0: Project Hub & Content Expansion

Introduced a new public-facing hub for the repository and expanded the site's content structure with a dedicated blog landing page.

v1.5.1: Strategic Brand Pivot & Accessibility Fixes

Formalized the distinction between the personal brand and the **BrainAV** tech lab by creating a new GitHub organization and dedicated project case studies. Also addressed a key accessibility issue.

v1.5.0: Architectural Standardization & AI Workflow

Implemented `src/bootstrap.php` as a single, unified entry point for the entire application, significantly improving maintainability. Also formalized the Human-AI development workflow with dedicated prompts.

v1.4.1: Security Hardening

Removed third-party dependencies by converting all contact forms to a self-hosted PHP solution with a secure `config.php` and honeypot spam protection.

v1.4.0: Professional Rebranding

Shifted the site's narrative to "Creative Technologist" by adding a professional resume and rewriting key content to bridge creative and technical expertise.

v1.2.0: PHP Architecture Migration

Converted the entire site from static HTML with JavaScript loaders to a dynamic PHP application using server-side includes for components like navigation and footers.

Architecture & Engineering

Component-Based PHP Architecture

To ensure maintainability and scalability, the site utilizes a modular structure:

  • Application Entrypoint: All pages initialize through a central `src/bootstrap.php` file, standardizing configuration and setup.
  • Server-Side Includes: Core components like the head, navigation, and footer are managed centrally and injected via PHP.
  • Centralized Assets: CSS and JavaScript are consolidated in the root to reduce HTTP requests and simplify caching strategies.
  • Secure Configuration: Sensitive data is decoupled using a `.gitignore`'d `config.php` file, adhering to security best practices.

Key Technical Features

🛠️ Custom CMS

A secure, bespoke admin dashboard for managing site settings, maintenance mode, and system diagnostics.

🔒 Security First

Self-hosted contact forms with honeypot protection and strict input sanitization. No third-party form dependencies.

⚡ Performance

Implements the "Facade Pattern" for lazy-loading heavy media iframes (Spotify, HearThis.at), significantly boosting Core Web Vitals.

🎨 Modern UI/UX

Responsive design using CSS variables for theming, BEM-like naming conventions, and custom canvas animations.

🔍 SEO Optimized

Semantic HTML5, structured data (JSON-LD) for rich results, and a dynamic sitemap.

Tech Stack

PHP 8.4
Backend Logic
HTML5
Semantic Structure
CSS3
Custom Styling
JavaScript
ES6+ Interactivity
Git
Version Control

Interested in Custom Web Solutions?

I build tailored web applications using these same principles of performance and security.

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