Setting up a MongoDB instance.

MongoDB Atlas will be used for this.

• Sign up for a free account or log in.
• Select 'Create a new cluster'
• Select the free cluster option. Your first one will be free
• You will be prompted to select your hosting provider and a few other settings. The default ones are fine for this. Click "Create Cluster" at the bottom of the page. It will take a few minutes to deploy
• Your home page will display your new cluster. Click Connect
• Select "Connect with app*
• Copy the connection string and save it somewhere. This is the MONGO_URL. I personally have a notepad I paste it into. We will modify this string in the following way:
  • replace the <password> with your password
  • give your database a name in the <dbname> section