Architecting Forge: Turning Skills into a Global Currency
Forge started as a simple idea: what if people could trade their skills directly, without traditional barriers? In this post, I share how I designed and built Forge — a skill exchange platform powered by Django, Next.js, and a custom embers system.
5 min
Forge started as a simple question: Why is exchanging skills still so complicated in the digital age? Instead of navigating invoices, currency conversions, and freelance platforms, what if skills could be traded directly—powered by a shared digital currency?
The Concept Behind Forge
Forge is a skill exchange platform where users offer their abilities—design, writing, coding—in exchange for embers, a virtual currency that can later be redeemed for real-world cash.
The goal was to create a system where value was transparent, transactions were fast, and everyone had equal opportunity regardless of geography or background.
Technology Stack and Architecture
The Forge platform was built using a modern, scalable stack:
- Frontend: Next.js (App Router) for a seamless, dynamic user experience
- Backend: Django Rest Framework (DRF) for a robust and secure API
- Authentication: JWT-based secure login and token refresh system
- Database: SQLite for early development, scalable to PostgreSQL for production
- Hosting: Vercel (frontend) and dedicated servers (backend)
This separation allowed me to independently scale and update each part of the system as needed.
Frontend Features
Skill marketplace • Profile dashboards • Advanced filtering and sorting
Backend Features
Custom embers system • Secure transactions • Freelance project management
Design Challenges
Building a two-sided marketplace comes with its own set of challenges:
Key Hurdles
- Balancing user acquisition between skill-seekers and skill-providers
- Designing a simple yet powerful transaction model based on embers
- Ensuring platform security with JWT authentication and rate-limiting
- Optimizing performance for low-bandwidth regions
Where Forge Stands Today
Today, Forge enables users across different fields and regions to:
- Offer freelance services without upfront costs
- Collaborate on projects with embers as a trust currency
- Redeem earnings for real-world payments with minimal friction
Looking Ahead
My next steps are focused on expanding Forge's reach, integrating smart contracts for trustless payments, and introducing a mobile-first version to reach broader audiences. The vision remains the same: make skills the true global currency.
In a world where borders are digital, so should opportunity be.