REX Mutual Referrals
A werid idea turned capstone project turned business.
REX started as a slightly unhinged idea:
“What if people traded referrals like currency?”
Not bought.
Not gamed.
Not fake.
Just… exchanged.
That idea turned into a capstone project.
That project turned into a full-stack web app.
And now, it’s slowly turning into a real business.
The Problem
If you’ve ever tried to grow anything online — a startup, content, affiliate links, a product — you already know:
- Organic growth is slow
- Ads are expensive
- And most “growth hacks” are either spammy or unsustainable
At the same time, there are thousands of people trying to grow different things… with completely separate audiences.
REX connects those people.
What REX Does
REX is a referral exchange platform.
You:
- Post your referral link
- Join exchanges
- Complete other people’s referrals
In return:
- Others complete yours
It’s simple. But the system underneath it is not.
Core Features
- Structured, trackable link-sharing agreements
- Users are scored based on participation and reliability
- Personalized stats, links, and performance tracking
- Firebase login with multi-provider support and SMS 2FA
- Controlled onboarding during testing, which is the seed community
How It’s Built
REX is a full-stack web application (SaaS) built with a modern, scalable architecture:
Frontend
- React 19 + TypeScript
- Vite for fast builds and dev experience
- React Router for structured navigation
- Component-based UI with global state providers
Backend / Services
- Firebase Authentication (Google, Email)
- Custom API layer for user + exchange logic
- Role-based access
- Protected routes and middleware enforcement
Notable Libraries
- Axios for API communication
- Firebase SDK for auth + identity
- React Hot Toast for real-time feedback
- Google reCAPTCHA for abuse prevention
Security Focus
As a cybersecurity student, I didn’t want this to be just another app.
So REX was built with:
- Protected routes and auth guards
- Server-side validation for critical flows
- reCAPTCHA enforcement during signup
- Role-based admin controls
- Input filtering (yes, even profanity filtering 😄)
Security isn’t an afterthought — it’s part of the architecture.
What I’ve Learned
This project forced me to learn things no class really teaches:
- How to design a system that people might actually use
- How to structure frontend + backend communication cleanly
- How to debug authentication flows across multiple providers
- How to balance speed vs. security vs. usability
- And most importantly:
- How to keep building when things break (they always do)
Current Status
REX is actively open and free to use! https://mutualreferrals.com
Recent progress includes:
- Data restructuring and migrations for better security
- Improved SEO and discoverability
- Market research and validation of the referral model
- Core web flows fully functional (auth, dashboard, profiles)
- Mobile builds in progress
Closing Thoughts
REX sits somewhere between:
- Reddit (community-driven)
- Groupon (deal-oriented)
- And a growth tool
But honestly, it’s still evolving.
That’s kind of the point.
Check It Out
If you’re early, curious, or building something yourself —
you’ll probably get it.
Never buy anything without a deal. And if you can’t find one… build a system that creates them.