Overview

A modern task management application inspired by tools like Trello and Asana. Built with Next.js for server-side rendering and optimal performance, it features real-time collaboration using Socket.io, drag-and-drop task organization, team workspaces, and comprehensive analytics dashboards to track productivity metrics.

Key Features

• Drag-and-Drop Task Boards - Intuitive Kanban-style interface with smooth animations
• Real-Time Collaboration - See updates from team members instantly with Socket.io
• Team Workspaces - Organize projects with role-based permissions
• Task Assignments - Assign tasks with due dates, priorities, and tags
• Productivity Analytics - Track completion rates, time spent, and team velocity
• File Attachments - Upload and manage files directly on tasks
• Comments & Activity - Rich text comments with @mentions and activity logs
• Dark Mode - Beautiful dark theme for night owls

Technical Implementation

Real-Time Architecture

Implemented a WebSocket layer using Socket.io for instant updates across all connected clients. Used Redis for pub/sub messaging to scale across multiple server instances.

State Management

Leveraged Next.js 14's server components with React Server Components for optimal performance. Client state managed with Zustand for simplicity and minimal re-renders.

Database Design

MongoDB with optimized indexes for fast queries. Implemented denormalization strategies for frequently accessed data while maintaining data integrity through careful update patterns.

Drag-and-Drop

Used dnd-kit for accessible, performant drag-and-drop with keyboard navigation support and smooth animations.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge: Implementing real-time synchronization across multiple users while maintaining data consistency.

Solution: Developed an operational transformation system that handles concurrent edits. Used optimistic updates on the client with server-side validation and conflict resolution. Implemented a queue system for operations to ensure they're applied in the correct order.

Challenge: Handling offline scenarios and ensuring no data loss.

Solution: Built an offline-first architecture with IndexedDB for local storage. Queued operations are synced when the connection is restored, with automatic conflict resolution based on timestamps and operation types.

Performance Optimizations

• Implemented virtual scrolling for large task lists
• Used React.memo and useMemo strategically to prevent unnecessary re-renders
• Lazy-loaded components and code-split routes for faster initial page load
• Optimized images with Next.js Image component
• Implemented skeleton loaders for better perceived performance

What I Learned

• Gained expertise in WebSocket programming and real-time data synchronization
• Mastered Next.js 14 features including Server Components and Server Actions
• Learned conflict resolution strategies for concurrent editing
• Built responsive drag-and-drop interfaces with accessibility in mind
• Understood the tradeoffs between consistency and availability in distributed systems