Top 1% Backend Developer Roadmap (Execution Tracker)

Rule: Don't check a box because you watched a video.
Check it only after you've built something with it.

Phase 1 — Foundation (Weeks 1–6)

Programming Language

• Choose one backend language
• Learn variables
• Learn functions
• Learn error handling
• Learn file I/O
• Build 3 CLI programs
• Build 1 mini project without tutorials

Internet Fundamentals

• Understand TCP/IP
• Understand DNS
• Understand HTTP
• Understand HTTPS
• Inspect API requests in Postman
• Read request and response headers
• Explain the request-response cycle from memory

Linux & Terminal

• Linux daily usage
• Navigate filesystem confidently
• Use grep effectively
• Use curl effectively
• Use SSH
• Manage permissions (chmod/chown)
• Manage processes
• Create a cron job

Phase 2 — Core Backend Skills

REST APIs

• Build CRUD API
• Use proper status codes
• Add pagination
• Add filtering
• Version API
• Create consistent error responses
• Add rate limiting

Authentication

• Implement JWT auth
• Implement refresh tokens
• Learn OAuth 2.0
• Implement Google OAuth
• Learn CSRF protection

Testing

• Write unit tests
• Write integration tests
• Test API endpoints
• Mock external services

Docker

• Write Dockerfile
• Build image
• Run container
• Create docker-compose.yml
• Connect app + database
• Use multi-stage builds

Immediate Next Targets

• Finish Flask backend project
• Add tests
• Complete Docker setup
• Build GitHub Actions CI
• Deploy to Render/AWS
• Add monitoring
• Document everything in Obsidian