refactor: adopt sendError helper across core controllers

backend/controllers/households.controller.js

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 const householdModel = require("../models/household.model");
+const { sendError } = require("../utils/http");
 
 // Get all households user belongs to
 exports.getUserHouseholds = async (req, res) => {
@@ -7,7 +8,7 @@ exports.getUserHouseholds = async (req, res) => {
     res.json(households);
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Get user households error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to fetch households" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to fetch households");
   }
 };
 
@@ -20,13 +21,13 @@ exports.getHousehold = async (req, res) => {
     );
 
     if (!household) {
-      return res.status(404).json({ error: "Household not found" });
+      return sendError(res, 404, "Household not found");
     }
 
     res.json(household);
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Get household error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to fetch household" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to fetch household");
   }
 };
 
@@ -36,11 +37,11 @@ exports.createHousehold = async (req, res) => {
     const { name } = req.body;
 
     if (!name || name.trim().length === 0) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Household name is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Household name is required");
     }
 
     if (name.length > 100) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Household name must be 100 characters or less" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Household name must be 100 characters or less");
     }
 
     const household = await householdModel.createHousehold(
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ exports.createHousehold = async (req, res) => {
     });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Create household error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to create household" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to create household");
   }
 };
 
@@ -64,11 +65,11 @@ exports.updateHousehold = async (req, res) => {
     const { name } = req.body;
 
     if (!name || name.trim().length === 0) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Household name is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Household name is required");
     }
 
     if (name.length > 100) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Household name must be 100 characters or less" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Household name must be 100 characters or less");
     }
 
     const household = await householdModel.updateHousehold(
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ exports.updateHousehold = async (req, res) => {
     });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Update household error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to update household" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to update household");
   }
 };
 
@@ -93,7 +94,7 @@ exports.deleteHousehold = async (req, res) => {
     res.json({ message: "Household deleted successfully" });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Delete household error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to delete household" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to delete household");
   }
 };
 
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ exports.refreshInviteCode = async (req, res) => {
     });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Refresh invite code error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to refresh invite code" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to refresh invite code");
   }
 };
 
@@ -115,14 +116,14 @@ exports.refreshInviteCode = async (req, res) => {
 exports.joinHousehold = async (req, res) => {
   try {
     const { inviteCode } = req.params;
-    if (!inviteCode) return res.status(400).json({ error: "Invite code is required" });
+    if (!inviteCode) return sendError(res, 400, "Invite code is required");
 
     const result = await householdModel.joinHousehold(
       inviteCode.toUpperCase(),
       req.user.id
     );
 
-    if (!result) return res.status(404).json({ error: "Invalid or expired invite code" });
+    if (!result) return sendError(res, 404, "Invalid or expired invite code");
 
 
     if (result.alreadyMember) {
@@ -138,7 +139,7 @@ exports.joinHousehold = async (req, res) => {
     });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Join household error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to join household" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to join household");
   }
 };
 
@@ -149,7 +150,7 @@ exports.getMembers = async (req, res) => {
     res.json(members);
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Get members error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to fetch members" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to fetch members");
   }
 };
 
@@ -160,12 +161,12 @@ exports.updateMemberRole = async (req, res) => {
     const { role } = req.body;
 
     if (!role || !['admin', 'user'].includes(role)) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Invalid role. Must be 'admin' or 'user'" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Invalid role. Must be 'admin' or 'user'");
     }
 
     // Can't change own role
     if (parseInt(userId) === req.user.id) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Cannot change your own role" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Cannot change your own role");
     }
 
     const updated = await householdModel.updateMemberRole(
@@ -180,7 +181,7 @@ exports.updateMemberRole = async (req, res) => {
     });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Update member role error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to update member role" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to update member role");
   }
 };
 
@@ -192,9 +193,7 @@ exports.removeMember = async (req, res) => {
 
     // Allow users to remove themselves, or admins to remove others
     if (targetUserId !== req.user.id && req.household.role !== 'admin') {
-      return res.status(403).json({
+      return sendError(res, 403, "Only admins can remove other members");
-        error: "Only admins can remove other members"
-      });
     }
 
     await householdModel.removeMember(req.params.householdId, userId);
@@ -202,6 +201,6 @@ exports.removeMember = async (req, res) => {
     res.json({ message: "Member removed successfully" });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Remove member error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to remove member" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to remove member");
   }
 };

backend/controllers/lists.controller.v2.js

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 const List = require("../models/list.model.v2");
 const { isValidItemType, isValidItemGroup, isValidZone } = require("../constants/classifications");
+const { sendError } = require("../utils/http");
 
 /**
  * Get list items for household and store
@@ -12,7 +13,7 @@ exports.getList = async (req, res) => {
     res.json({ items });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error getting list:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ message: "Failed to get list" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to get list");
   }
 };
 
@@ -26,18 +27,18 @@ exports.getItemByName = async (req, res) => {
     const { item_name } = req.query;
 
     if (!item_name) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ message: "Item name is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Item name is required");
     }
 
     const item = await List.getItemByName(householdId, storeId, item_name);
     if (!item) {
-      return res.status(404).json({ message: "Item not found" });
+      return sendError(res, 404, "Item not found");
     }
 
     res.json(item);
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error getting item:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ message: "Failed to get item" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to get item");
   }
 };
 
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ exports.addItem = async (req, res) => {
     const userId = req.user.id;
 
     if (!item_name || item_name.trim() === "") {
-      return res.status(400).json({ message: "Item name is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Item name is required");
     }
 
     // Get processed image if uploaded
@@ -84,7 +85,7 @@ exports.addItem = async (req, res) => {
     });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error adding item:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ message: "Failed to add item" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to add item");
   }
 };
 
@@ -97,10 +98,10 @@ exports.markBought = async (req, res) => {
     const { householdId, storeId } = req.params;
     const { item_name, bought, quantity_bought } = req.body;
 
-    if (!item_name) return res.status(400).json({ message: "Item name is required" });
+    if (!item_name) return sendError(res, 400, "Item name is required");
 
     const item = await List.getItemByName(householdId, storeId, item_name);
-    if (!item) return res.status(404).json({ message: "Item not found" });
+    if (!item) return sendError(res, 404, "Item not found");
 
 
     // Update bought status (with optional partial purchase)
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ exports.markBought = async (req, res) => {
     res.json({ message: bought ? "Item marked as bought" : "Item unmarked" });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error marking bought:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ message: "Failed to update item" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to update item");
   }
 };
 
@@ -123,13 +124,13 @@ exports.updateItem = async (req, res) => {
     const { item_name, quantity, notes } = req.body;
 
     if (!item_name) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ message: "Item name is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Item name is required");
     }
 
     // Get the list item
     const item = await List.getItemByName(householdId, storeId, item_name);
     if (!item) {
-      return res.status(404).json({ message: "Item not found" });
+      return sendError(res, 404, "Item not found");
     }
 
     // Update item
@@ -146,7 +147,7 @@ exports.updateItem = async (req, res) => {
     });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error updating item:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ message: "Failed to update item" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to update item");
   }
 };
 
@@ -160,13 +161,13 @@ exports.deleteItem = async (req, res) => {
     const { item_name } = req.body;
 
     if (!item_name) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ message: "Item name is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Item name is required");
     }
 
     // Get the list item
     const item = await List.getItemByName(householdId, storeId, item_name);
     if (!item) {
-      return res.status(404).json({ message: "Item not found" });
+      return sendError(res, 404, "Item not found");
     }
 
     await List.deleteItem(item.id);
@@ -174,7 +175,7 @@ exports.deleteItem = async (req, res) => {
     res.json({ message: "Item deleted" });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error deleting item:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ message: "Failed to delete item" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to delete item");
   }
 };
 
@@ -191,7 +192,7 @@ exports.getSuggestions = async (req, res) => {
     res.json(suggestions);
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error getting suggestions:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ message: "Failed to get suggestions" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to get suggestions");
   }
 };
 
@@ -206,7 +207,7 @@ exports.getRecentlyBought = async (req, res) => {
     res.json(items);
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error getting recent items:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ message: "Failed to get recent items" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to get recent items");
   }
 };
 
@@ -220,7 +221,7 @@ exports.getClassification = async (req, res) => {
     const { item_name } = req.query;
 
     if (!item_name) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ message: "Item name is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Item name is required");
     }
 
     // Get item ID from name
@@ -233,7 +234,7 @@ exports.getClassification = async (req, res) => {
     res.json({ classification });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error getting classification:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ message: "Failed to get classification" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to get classification");
   }
 };
 
@@ -247,17 +248,17 @@ exports.setClassification = async (req, res) => {
     const { item_name, classification } = req.body;
 
     if (!item_name) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ message: "Item name is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Item name is required");
     }
 
     if (!classification) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ message: "Classification is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Classification is required");
     }
 
     // Validate classification
     const validClassifications = ['produce', 'dairy', 'meat', 'bakery', 'frozen', 'pantry', 'snacks', 'beverages', 'household', 'other'];
     if (!validClassifications.includes(classification)) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ message: "Invalid classification value" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Invalid classification value");
     }
 
     // Get item - add to master items if not exists
@@ -290,7 +291,7 @@ exports.setClassification = async (req, res) => {
     res.json({ message: "Classification set", classification });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error setting classification:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ message: "Failed to set classification" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to set classification");
   }
 };
 
@@ -309,7 +310,7 @@ exports.updateItemImage = async (req, res) => {
     const mimeType = req.processedImage?.mimeType || null;
 
     if (!imageBuffer) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ message: "No image provided" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "No image provided");
     }
 
     // Update the item with new image
@@ -318,6 +319,6 @@ exports.updateItemImage = async (req, res) => {
     res.json({ message: "Image updated successfully" });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Error updating image:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ message: "Failed to update image" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to update image");
   }
 };

backend/controllers/stores.controller.js

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 const storeModel = require("../models/store.model");
+const { sendError } = require("../utils/http");
 
 // Get all available stores
 exports.getAllStores = async (req, res) => {
@@ -7,7 +8,7 @@ exports.getAllStores = async (req, res) => {
     res.json(stores);
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Get all stores error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to fetch stores" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to fetch stores");
   }
 };
 
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ exports.getHouseholdStores = async (req, res) => {
     res.json(stores);
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Get household stores error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to fetch household stores" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to fetch household stores");
   }
 };
 
@@ -28,11 +29,11 @@ exports.addStoreToHousehold = async (req, res) => {
     const { storeId, isDefault } = req.body;
     // console.log("Adding store to household:", { householdId: req.params.householdId, storeId, isDefault });
     if (!storeId) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Store ID is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Store ID is required");
     }
 
     const store = await storeModel.getStoreById(storeId);
-    if (!store) return res.status(404).json({ error: "Store not found" });
+    if (!store) return sendError(res, 404, "Store not found");
     const foundStores = await storeModel.getHouseholdStores(req.params.householdId);
     // if (foundStores.length == 0) isDefault = 'true';
 
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ exports.addStoreToHousehold = async (req, res) => {
     });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Add store to household error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to add store to household" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to add store to household");
   }
 };
 
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ exports.removeStoreFromHousehold = async (req, res) => {
     res.json({ message: "Store removed from household successfully" });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Remove store from household error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to remove store from household" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to remove store from household");
   }
 };
 
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ exports.setDefaultStore = async (req, res) => {
     res.json({ message: "Default store updated successfully" });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Set default store error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to set default store" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to set default store");
   }
 };
 
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ exports.createStore = async (req, res) => {
     const { name, default_zones } = req.body;
 
     if (!name || name.trim().length === 0) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Store name is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Store name is required");
     }
 
     const store = await storeModel.createStore(name.trim(), default_zones || null);
@@ -100,9 +101,9 @@ exports.createStore = async (req, res) => {
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Create store error:", error);
     if (error.code === '23505') { // Unique violation
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Store with this name already exists" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Store with this name already exists");
     }
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to create store" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to create store");
   }
 };
 
@@ -117,7 +118,7 @@ exports.updateStore = async (req, res) => {
     });
 
     if (!store) {
-      return res.status(404).json({ error: "Store not found" });
+      return sendError(res, 404, "Store not found");
     }
 
     res.json({
@@ -126,7 +127,7 @@ exports.updateStore = async (req, res) => {
     });
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Update store error:", error);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to update store" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to update store");
   }
 };
 
@@ -138,8 +139,8 @@ exports.deleteStore = async (req, res) => {
   } catch (error) {
     console.error("Delete store error:", error);
     if (error.message.includes('in use')) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: error.message });
+      return sendError(res, 400, error.message);
     }
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to delete store" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to delete store");
   }
 };

backend/controllers/users.controller.js

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 const User = require("../models/user.model");
 const bcrypt = require("bcryptjs");
+const { sendError } = require("../utils/http");
 
 exports.test = async (req, res) => {
   console.log("User route is working");
@@ -18,15 +19,15 @@ exports.updateUserRole = async (req, res) => {
 
     console.log(`Updating user ${id} to role ${role}`);
     if (!Object.values(User.ROLES).includes(role))
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Invalid role" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Invalid role");
 
     const updated = await User.updateUserRole(id, role);
     if (!updated)
-      return res.status(404).json({ error: "User not found" });
+      return sendError(res, 404, "User not found");
 
     res.json({ message: "Role updated", id, role });
   } catch (err) {
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to update role" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to update role");
   }
 };
 
@@ -36,12 +37,12 @@ exports.deleteUser = async (req, res) => {
 
     const deleted = await User.deleteUser(id);
     if (!deleted)
-      return res.status(404).json({ error: "User not found" });
+      return sendError(res, 404, "User not found");
 
 
     res.json({ message: "User deleted", id });
   } catch (err) {
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to delete user" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to delete user");
   }
 };
 
@@ -57,13 +58,13 @@ exports.getCurrentUser = async (req, res) => {
     const user = await User.getUserById(userId);
 
     if (!user) {
-      return res.status(404).json({ error: "User not found" });
+      return sendError(res, 404, "User not found");
     }
 
     res.json(user);
   } catch (err) {
     console.error("Error getting current user:", err);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to get user profile" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to get user profile");
   }
 };
 
@@ -73,23 +74,23 @@ exports.updateCurrentUser = async (req, res) => {
     const { display_name } = req.body;
 
     if (!display_name || display_name.trim().length === 0) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Display name is required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Display name is required");
     }
 
     if (display_name.length > 100) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Display name must be 100 characters or less" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Display name must be 100 characters or less");
     }
 
     const updated = await User.updateUserProfile(userId, { display_name: display_name.trim() });
 
     if (!updated) {
-      return res.status(404).json({ error: "User not found" });
+      return sendError(res, 404, "User not found");
     }
 
     res.json({ message: "Profile updated successfully", user: updated });
   } catch (err) {
     console.error("Error updating user profile:", err);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to update profile" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to update profile");
   }
 };
 
@@ -100,25 +101,25 @@ exports.changePassword = async (req, res) => {
 
     // Validation
     if (!current_password || !new_password) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Current password and new password are required" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "Current password and new password are required");
     }
 
     if (new_password.length < 6) {
-      return res.status(400).json({ error: "New password must be at least 6 characters" });
+      return sendError(res, 400, "New password must be at least 6 characters");
     }
 
     // Get current password hash
     const currentHash = await User.getUserPasswordHash(userId);
 
     if (!currentHash) {
-      return res.status(404).json({ error: "User not found" });
+      return sendError(res, 404, "User not found");
     }
 
     // Verify current password
     const isValidPassword = await bcrypt.compare(current_password, currentHash);
 
     if (!isValidPassword) {
-      return res.status(401).json({ error: "Current password is incorrect" });
+      return sendError(res, 401, "Current password is incorrect");
     }
 
     // Hash new password
@@ -131,6 +132,6 @@ exports.changePassword = async (req, res) => {
     res.json({ message: "Password changed successfully" });
   } catch (err) {
     console.error("Error changing password:", err);
-    res.status(500).json({ error: "Failed to change password" });
+    sendError(res, 500, "Failed to change password");
   }
 };