User Guide

Use this guide for common user tasks in AuctioHub.

Sign In And Account Basics

1. Open the sign-in page.
2. Continue with Google authentication.
3. Confirm you return to the home page as an authenticated user.

Expected result:

• Your account menu and dashboard access are visible.

Browse And Filter Auctions

1. Open the auction listing page.
2. Use category filters and search terms.
3. Open an auction detail page to view current amount, time, and status.

Expected result:

• Active auctions show bid controls.
• Closed or canceled auctions disable bid submission.

Enter Auction Session And Place A Bid

1. Join an active auction session.
2. Check the current displayed amount.
3. Enter a full bid amount that is greater than the current amount.
4. Submit the bid.

Validation rules:

• Bid must be greater than current amount.
• Banned participants cannot place bids.
• Server-side checks are authoritative even if UI appears valid.

Use Auction Chat

1. Open the chat panel inside an auction session.
2. Send a short message.
3. Wait for periodic updates to confirm it appears in stream.

Notes:

• Chat updates are poll-based.
• Temporary delays are possible under network load.

Complete Winner Payment

1. If you are the winner, open the payment page from your auction outcome.
2. Continue to Stripe checkout.
3. Complete payment in test mode.

Expected result:

• Paid status is recorded and visible in dashboard history.

If Payment Fails Or Is Canceled

1. Return from checkout failure/cancel state.
2. Review outcome status.
3. Retry if policy allows.

Notes:

• Payment access is winner-only.
• Repeated completion callbacks are handled idempotently by the backend.
• Penalty path may apply when policy windows expire.

View Dashboard And Activity

Use dashboard sections to review:

• Current and past auction participation.
• Bid history.
• Notification events related to auctions and payments.