Punar Hunza
A high-converting, headless storefront engineered with intelligent checkout orchestration and server-side inventory protection for a boutique DTC brand.
Role
Solo Engineer & PM
Timeline
4 weeks
Core Stack
Accelerated by
cursor
windsurf
The Context
The Problem
Boutique DTC brands face friction when scaling on generic platforms like Shopify, especially in markets relying on Cash on Delivery (COD) and manual Bank Transfers. Generic platforms require prohibitive workarounds for custom payment proofs and lack seamless guest-to-user conversion without disrupting the high-intent funnel.
The Solution
I migrated the brand to a bespoke Next.js headless architecture. This owned end-to-end data flow allowed for a checkout pipeline that natively handles proof-of-payment uploads via Vercel Blob and leverages background Magic Link generation to silently convert guests into authenticated users, eliminating recurring fees.
System Architecture
A high-performance headless commerce engine focusing on atomic data integrity and frictionless user onboarding.
- →Hybrid Rendering (Next.js): Server Actions securely execute pricing and inventory validation to prevent client-side cart tampering.
- →Atomic Database Operations: Row Level Security (RLS) secures data, while stock updates use raw PostgreSQL RPCs (decrement_stock) to prevent race conditions during high-traffic drops.
- →Frictionless Auth: Integrated Supabase Auth via @supabase/ssr, using the Admin API to issue magic links asynchronously during guest checkout.
- →Transactional Notification Bus: Resend acts as the central spine, routing order confirmations, magic links, and anomaly alerts via real-time database webhooks.
Feature Deep-Dives
Secure Checkout Orchestration & Auth Conversion
A custom checkout flow that moves all calculations to the server and converts guests to users via magic links sent natively through Resend.
Technical Hurdles Overcome
- ▪Enforced strict server-side recalculation of totals and dynamic shipping right before the final DB insert to prevent client-side cart spoofing.
- ▪Implemented atomic PostgreSQL stock reduction RPCs to handle high-concurrency purchase requests for limited inventory without overselling.
Data-Driven Admin Pipeline & Lifecycle Automation
A protected admin layer with custom analytics and automated re-engagement workflows triggered by order state changes.
Technical Hurdles Overcome
- ▪Designed server-side data reducers to format complex relational PostgreSQL payloads into unified KPIs like AOV and Revenue Trends before streaming them.
- ▪Engineered a verifiable review-capture system using securely hashed, single-use tokens generated only upon verified delivery.
The AI Multiplier
I leveraged AI to drastically accelerate the scaffolding of boilerplate Tailwind UI components and standard data-fetching hooks. This allowed me to refocus my bandwidth entirely on complex architectural constraints—custom authentication pipelines, atomic database concurrency controls, and secure payment-proof integrations.
Analytics & Outcomes
A custom-built backend telemetry layer providing deep visibility into the commercial engine.
- //Protected Revenue: Zero overselling incidents since deployment due to the atomic PostgreSQL stock transaction architecture.
- //Unified CRM Audit: A custom event log actively tracks the full order lifecycle from payment-proof upload to physical fulfillment.
- //Friction Mapping: Real-time monitoring of drop-off points by mapping checkout initialization against successfully generated magic sessions.
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