Firebase & GCP Reference

firebase-admin is imported in 117 backend files and is the backbone of A3's entire server-side architecture. This skill covers every Admin SDK method, pattern, and GCP service used across the codebase.

Firebase Project Structure

A3 uses the following Firebase services:

• Cloud Firestore — Primary NoSQL document database (the core of all data)
• Firebase Authentication — User auth with MFA, custom claims, blocking functions
• Cloud Storage — File/document storage with signed URLs
• Realtime Database — Status/presence tracking, ephemeral state
• Cloud Functions — Serverless backend (see cloud-functions skill)
• Firebase Emulator Suite — Local development and testing

Cloud Firestore (Admin SDK)

Initialization