HF Fix: Pre-download embedding model to avoid runtime connection errors

HF: Add required metadata to backend/README.md

Deploy: Update for Hugging Face (Secrets + Port) and Vercel Proxy

chore: secure .env in gitignore and add Hugging Face API key

feat(docker): add Dockerfile for backend FastAPI app

fix(security): remove hardcoded HF_API_KEY from main.py

chore(env): rotate HF token and restore Pinecone API key

feat(search): apply year range post-filter and expose filtered count

perf(search): increase Pinecone fetch pool when year filter is active

fix(security): replace Pinecone API key with env var

feat(models): extend SearchRequest with optional year_from and year_to fields

Update requirements.txt

Change Pinecone API key to placeholder text

test(backend): add basic test script

feat(backend): add scripts to build vector DB

feat(backend): add vector DB integration

feat(backend): initialize FastAPI app

chore(backend): add dependencies

chore: add environment variable templates