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+# Installation Guide
+
+[![Installation Status](https://img.shields.io/badge/Installation-Easy-brightgreen.svg)](https://github.com/your-org/your-repo-name/docs/user-guide/installation_guide.md)
+[![License](https://img.shields.io/github/license/your-org/your-repo-name)](https://github.com/your-org/your-repo-name/blob/main/LICENSE)
+
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+This installation guide provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for setting up the project on your local machine or server. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Linux, this guide will walk you through the process of getting the project up and running. If you encounter any issues, refer to the troubleshooting section at the end of the guide.
+
+---
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+Before you begin, make sure you have the following software installed on your system:
+
+### 1. **Node.js**
+   - **Version**: v14.x or higher
+   - **Installation**: Download and install Node.js from the [official website](https://nodejs.org/). Ensure that npm (Node Package Manager) is also installed.
+
+### 2. **PostgreSQL**
+   - **Version**: v12.x or higher
+   - **Installation**: Download and install PostgreSQL from the [official website](https://www.postgresql.org/download/). During installation, make a note of your database username and password.
+
+### 3. **Git**
+   - **Version**: Latest version recommended
+   - **Installation**: Download and install Git from the [official website](https://git-scm.com/).
+
+### 4. **Optional: Docker**
+   - **Version**: Latest version recommended
+   - **Installation**: Download and install Docker from the [official website](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop). Docker is optional but recommended for containerized deployment.
+
+---
+
+## Step-by-Step Installation
+
+### 1. **Clone the Repository**
+
+First, clone the project repository to your local machine:
+
+``` bash
+git clone https://github.com/your-org/your-repo-name.git
+cd your-repo-name
+```
+
+### 2. **Install Project Dependencies**
+Navigate to the project directory and install the required dependencies using `npm`:
+
+``` bash
+npm install
+```
+This command will download and install all the necessary packages listed in the package.json file.
+
+### 3. **Set Up the Database**
+
+##### 3.1 Create a PostgreSQL Database
+Log in to your PostgreSQL instance and create a new database for the project:
+
+``` sql
+CREATE DATABASE your_database_name;
+```
+
+#### 3.2 Configure Database Connection
+Create a `.env` file in the root of your project directory and add the following environment variables, replacing the placeholders with your actual PostgreSQL credentials:
+
+``` plaintext
+DATABASE_URL=postgres://your_username:your_password@localhost:5432/your_database_name
+JWT_SECRET=your_secret_key
+```
+This `.env` file will be used by the application to connect to the database and manage other sensitive information.
+
+#### 4. **Run Database Migrations**
+Apply the database migrations to set up the initial schema:
+
+``` bash
+npm run migrate
+```
+This command will create the necessary tables and other database structures required by the application.
+
+#### 5. Start the Development Server
+Now that the dependencies are installed and the database is set up, you can start the development server:
+
+``` bash
+npm run dev
+```
+After running this command, the application will be accessible at http://localhost:3000 in your web browser.
+
+#### 6. Running Tests
+To ensure everything is set up correctly, run the test suite:
+
+``` bash
+npm test
+```
+If all tests pass, your installation is successful, and you can start developing your application.
+
+### Optional: Docker Setup
+If you prefer to use Docker for containerized deployment, follow these additional steps:
+
+#### 1. Build the Docker Image
+Build the Docker image for your project:
+
+``` bash
+docker build -t your-image-name .
+```
+
+#### 2. Run the Docker Container
+Run the container, ensuring that the database is linked and the necessary environment variables are set:
+
+``` bash
+docker run --name your-container-name -e DATABASE_URL=postgres://your_username:your_password@your_db_host:5432/your_database_name -p 3000:3000 your-image-name
+The application will now be running in a Docker container and accessible at http://localhost:3000.
+```
+
+### Post-Installation Configuration
+
+#### 1. Environment Variables
+Ensure that all necessary environment variables are set, particularly `DATABASE_URL` and `JWT_SECRET`, for secure and proper operation of the application.
+
+#### 2. Seeding the Database
+`(Optional)` Seed the database with initial data using the following command:
+
+``` bash
+npm run seed
+```
+This command populates the database with sample data that can be used for development and testing.
+
+#### 3. Setting Up User Roles
+After installation, you may need to set up user roles and permissions. Refer to the `usage_guide.md` for instructions on how to manage users within the application.
+
+### Troubleshooting
+
+#### 1. Common Installation Issues
+  - **`Node.js` or `npm` Version Mismatch:** Ensure that you are using the correct versions of `Node.js` and `npm` as specified in the prerequisites. Use `nvm` (Node Version Manager) to switch between `Node.js` versions if needed.
+  - **Database Connection Errors:** Double-check your `DATABASE_URL` environment variable to ensure it is correctly configured. Make sure PostgreSQL is running and accessible.
+  - **Port Conflicts:** If the default port (3000) is in use, either stop the conflicting service or modify the port number in the `package.json` or `.env` file.
+
+#### 2. Dependency Issues
+  - If you encounter issues with installing dependencies, try clearing the npm cache and reinstalling:
+
+``` bash
+npm cache clean --force
+rm -rf node_modules
+npm install
+```
+
+#### 3. Docker Issues
+- **Docker Daemon Not Running:*8 Ensure that the Docker daemon is running on your machine before attempting to build or run containers.
+- **Container Port Conflicts:** If you encounter port conflicts when running the container, modify the host port mapping in the Docker run command (-p host_port:container_port).
+##### Conclusion
+This installation guide should help you successfully set up and run the project on your local machine or server. If you encounter any issues that are not covered in this guide, please refer to the FAQ or reach out to our support team.
+
+For more detailed instructions on using the application after installation, refer to the Usage Guide.
+
+### Feedback
+We value your feedback! If you have any suggestions or encounter any issues during installation, please open an issue on our GitHub repository.
+
+### License
+This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
+
+                       
+### Key Features of this `installation_guide.md`:
+
+- **Prerequisites**: Clearly outlines the required software and versions, with links to the official download pages.
+
+- **Step-by-Step Instructions**: Detailed installation steps for setting up the project across different platforms, ensuring that users of all levels can follow along.
+
+- **Optional Docker Setup**: Provides guidance for users who prefer to run the application in a containerized environment using Docker.
+
+- **Post-Installation Configuration**: Includes additional steps that may be necessary after the initial setup, such as configuring environment variables and seeding the database.
+
+- **Troubleshooting Section**: Addresses common installation issues and provides solutions to help users resolve problems quickly.
+
+- **Feedback and License Sections**: Encourages user feedback and provides information on the project's licensing terms.
+
+This guide is designed to be user-friendly and comprehensive, covering all aspects of installation to help users set up the project successfully.