In this chapter, you learned what MongoDB is, how a document-oriented database works, and you performed direct queries in the command line. This enabled you to become familiar with Meteor's default data repository system. You also streamlined your application by removing autopublish and gained a firm understanding of the publish/subscribe design pattern built into Meteor.

In the next chapter, we'll really tighten up security on your app, allowing multiple users to keep track of and control their own lists of items. You'll also see how to further streamline your client and server code through the use of folders.