TaskFlow - Project Management Tool
A modern, intuitive task management tool built for remote teams. Features real-time collaboration, customizable workflows, and beautiful UI.
Overview
TaskFlow was born out of frustration with existing project management tools being either too complex or lacking essential features. I built a solution that’s powerful yet simple to use.
Key Features
Core Functionality
- Kanban Boards - Drag-and-drop interface for visual task management
- Real-Time Sync - See changes instantly as team members update tasks
- Multiple Views - Switch between Kanban, List, and Calendar views
- Task Details - Rich descriptions, attachments, comments, and checklists
- Labels & Filters - Organize and find tasks quickly
Collaboration
- Team Workspaces - Separate spaces for different projects/teams
- @Mentions - Tag team members in comments for notifications
- Activity Feed - Track all changes and updates
- Permissions - Role-based access control (admin, member, viewer)
Productivity
- Keyboard Shortcuts - Power user features for faster navigation
- Templates - Reusable board templates for common workflows
- Due Dates & Reminders - Never miss a deadline
- Time Tracking - Built-in timer for task duration tracking
Technical Implementation
Real-Time Features
Used WebSockets (Socket.io) for instant updates across all connected clients. Implemented optimistic UI updates for snappy user experience even before server confirmation.
Drag & Drop
Built custom drag-and-drop using react-beautiful-dnd with smooth animations and mobile touch support.
Performance
- Implemented virtual scrolling for boards with 1000+ tasks
- Optimized database queries with proper indexing
- Used Redis for session storage and caching
- Image optimization with Next.js Image component
Authentication
- Secure auth with NextAuth.js
- Support for email/password and OAuth (Google, GitHub)
- JWT tokens with automatic refresh
Architecture
Built as a modern monolith with Next.js API routes:
┌─────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│ Next.js │────▶│ API Routes │────▶│ PostgreSQL │
│ (React) │ │ (REST/WS) │ │ + Prisma │
└─────────────┘ └──────────────┘ └─────────────┘
│ │
│ ┌──────▼───────┐
└────────────▶│ Socket.io │
│ (Real-Time) │
└──────────────┘
Challenges Solved
Real-Time Conflicts
Problem: Multiple users editing same task simultaneously
Solution: Implemented operational transformation (OT) for conflict resolution and last-write-wins strategy with conflict notifications
Mobile Performance
Problem: Drag-and-drop laggy on mobile devices
Solution: Optimized touch handlers and reduced re-renders using React.memo and useMemo
Scale
Problem: Growing user base causing performance issues
Solution: Added Redis caching layer and optimized database queries, reducing response time by 65%
Results
- 📈 Users: 2000+ active users within 3 months
- ⭐ Product Hunt: Featured and received 200+ upvotes
- 🚀 Performance: Sub-100ms API response times
- 💯 Uptime: 99.8% uptime since launch
- 📱 Mobile: 40% of traffic from mobile devices
Tech Stack
Frontend
- Next.js 14 (App Router)
- TypeScript
- Tailwind CSS
- Framer Motion (animations)
- React Beautiful DnD
Backend
- Next.js API Routes
- Prisma ORM
- PostgreSQL
- Socket.io for WebSockets
- NextAuth.js for authentication
Infrastructure
- Vercel for hosting
- Supabase for PostgreSQL
- Redis Cloud for caching
- AWS S3 for file storage
User Feedback
“Finally, a task manager that doesn’t get in my way. The real-time updates are magical!” - Sarah K., Product Manager
“We switched from Trello and haven’t looked back. TaskFlow is faster and more intuitive.” - Mike R., Engineering Lead
Open Source
TaskFlow is open source! Contributions welcome.
License: MIT
GitHub: alexjohnson/taskflow
Demo: Try it live
What’s Next
Currently working on:
- Mobile apps (iOS & Android)
- Gantt chart view
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- API for third-party integrations
- Offline mode support
Status: ✅ Live & Actively Maintained
Try it: taskflow-demo.example.com
