Move from Frontend to Full Stack Developer by Early 2026

Build back-end skills, practice full stack projects, and grow confidence working across the whole web stack.

Weekly Hours: 25
Estimated Weeks: 19

Phases

Phase 1: Strong Foundation in Back-End Basics

Begin learning core back-end concepts. Focus on server basics, databases, and connecting them to front-end code. Become comfortable with simple server tasks.

4 weeks

Understand what servers do
Learn how databases store information
Practice building basic API endpoints
Get comfortable with command line basics

Server-side programming basics
Understanding databases
Intro to APIs
Simple debugging

Intro to servers guide
Database basics tutorial
Command line fundamentals
API basics walkthrough

Build and run a basic server locally
Connect a simple database to your code
Create and test a basic API endpoint

Phase 2: Deepen Back-End Knowledge and Integrate

Go deeper with server technologies. Learn to handle real-world data, create user authentication, and connect your front-end work to the back-end smoothly.

5 weeks

Work with user authentication
Practice reading and writing to databases
Handle errors in server code
Connect full stack workflows

Persistent data storage
Authentication basics
Error handling
Connecting front-end to back-end

Full stack practice project
Authentication flow diagram
Error handling exercises

Create a login and signup flow
Store and update user information
Debug full stack errors

Phase 3: Project Building and Collaboration

Apply what you learned by building real projects end-to-end. Collaborate with others if possible, and build confidence shipping working applications.

6 weeks

Plan and finish full stack projects
Work with version control
Write and follow documentation
Handle teamwork basics

Project planning
Version control
Testing
Team communication

Full stack project checklist
Version control system guide
Simple project documentation template

Finish a basic full stack project
Collaborate on code with another person
Write a project README

Phase 4: Prepare for Full Stack Roles

Review, polish, and prepare for job requirements. Practice technical challenges, explain your projects, and get ready for interviews or advancing at work.

4 weeks

Review all major concepts
Practice technical questions
Document your projects
Improve communication skills

Technical interview practice
Clear explanation of ideas
Portfolio writing

Sample technical challenges
Interview question list
Project presentation template

Solve practice technical tasks aloud
Create or update a project portfolio
Present your project to a peer

Weekly Plan

Week	Focus	Why	Tasks	Deliverables
1	Understand what servers do	You need to know the basics before deeper study.	Read a guide on how servers work, Take a quiz on server basics, Write a short summary in your own words	Short summary on servers, Quiz results
2	Learn database fundamentals	Databases power most back-end apps.	Follow a database basics tutorial, Draw a simple data model, Practice using command line for data	Data model diagram, Command line task screenshots
3	Create and test a basic API endpoint	APIs connect front-end and back-end.	Build a basic API route, Test the route using simple tools, Explain what happens step by step	Working API endpoint, Explanation summary
4	Connect a database to your code	Real apps save and retrieve information.	Write server code to save data, Retrieve data and show in front-end, Check code for errors	Code that connects front-end and database, List of issues found and fixed
5	User authentication basics	Most apps require accounts and logins.	Follow a step-by-step authentication example, Build your own signup/login form, Explain user authentication out loud	Signup/login form in demo app, Verbal authentication walkthrough
6	Work with database CRUD (create, read, update, delete)	CRUD is the heart of most apps.	Practice each CRUD operation in a tiny project, Quiz yourself on data flows, Debug and fix actual data errors	Tiny CRUD project, Quiz results
7	Error handling and debugging	Good apps handle mistakes gracefully.	Read about error handling techniques, Practice triggering and catching errors, Write down what you learned	List of handled errors, Summary of error handling approaches
8	Connect the front-end to the back-end	Integration is key for full stack roles.	Build a simple app using both client and server, Test the app from end to end, Fix issues and explain how it all fits together	Demo full stack app, Simple integration report
9	Review and practice all basics so far	Review strengthens understanding before deeper work.	Review all notes and summaries, Test yourself without looking at guides, Write a full stack workflow summary	Self-test results, Workflow summary
10	Plan your first full stack project	Building real projects cements your skills.	Choose a simple project you care about, Sketch the features and user flows, Break project into small steps	Project plan, Feature list
11	Build and document your project	Documentation helps others (and your future self) understand your work.	Start building your project, Write clear READMEs on how it works, Test each feature as you go	Partial project demo, Draft documentation
12	Handle version control basics	Version control is needed for team work.	Read a version control system guide, Practice branching and merging, Reflect on your workflow	Versioned project repository, Branching/merging notes
13	Collaborate on code with others	Teams need collaboration skills.	Pair up with another learner if possible, Review each other's code, Leave clear feedback	Pull request with review, Feedback summary
14	Test and fix your project	Testing catches issues before users do.	List out ways users could break your app, Write simple tests by hand, Fix at least three problems	Bug/issue list, Tests and fixes log
15	Write and follow clear project documentation	Documentation is important for handoff and teamwork.	Improve your README, Write step-by-step setup instructions, Have another person try to follow them	Clean final README, Third-party feedback
16	Review all major full stack concepts	Review brings everything together before final prep.	Skim all notes and projects, List topics you feel confident in, Plan extra study on weak topics	Confidence checklist, Personal study plan
17	Practice technical interview challenges	Interviews often use technical questions.	Try timed quizzes on data and logic, Answer aloud without notes, Review explanations for missed questions	Quiz scores, Self-review notes
18	Present your project and explain your choices	Clear communication can set you apart.	Give a short demo to a peer, Answer common project questions, Note what you need to improve	Project presentation, List of improvement points
19	Final portfolio and next steps planning	A focused portfolio supports your job or promotion goals.	Collect and update your projects, Write a summary for each project, Set up your next learning steps	Completed project portfolio, Learning roadmap for next year