/how-to-build-lovable

How to build Booking platform with Lovable?

Discover how to build an efficient booking platform using Lovable. Our step-by-step guide offers expert tips to design, develop, and launch with ease.

Book a free  consultation
Matt Graham, CEO of Rapid Developers

Book a call with an Expert

Starting a new venture? Need to upgrade your web app? RapidDev builds application with your growth in mind.

Book a free No-Code consultation

How to build Booking platform with Lovable?

 
Setting Up Your Lovable Project
 

  • Create a new project in Lovable from your dashboard.
  • Give your project a meaningful name, for example “BookingPlatform”.
  • Lovable manages dependencies internally so you won’t have a terminal. All dependency references will be declared in a configuration file.

 
Configuring Dependencies in Lovable
 

  • Create a new file called lovable.config.js in the root directory of your project.
  • Add the following code snippet to declare required dependencies like Express (for the server) and any other packages you need:

module.exports = {
  dependencies: {
    "express": "^4.17.1"
    // Include any additional dependencies here
  }
};
  • This file tells Lovable which packages to load automatically without using a terminal.

 
Creating the Backend Server
 

  • Create a new file in the root directory called server.js.
  • Insert the code snippet below into the file. This code sets up an Express server with endpoints to get the list of bookings and create a new booking.

const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const port = process.env.PORT || 3000;

// Middleware to parse JSON and URL-encoded data
app.use(express.json());
app.use(express.urlencoded({ extended: true }));

// Endpoint to retrieve bookings
app.get('/bookings', (req, res) => {
  // In a real app, retrieve bookings from your database
  res.json({ message: 'List of bookings will appear here.' });
});

// Endpoint to create a new booking
app.post('/bookings', (req, res) => {
  // In a real app, save booking data to your database and perform data validation
  console.log(req.body);
  res.json({ message: 'Booking created successfully.' });
});

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server running on port ${port}`);
});
  • This file serves as the main entry point of your booking backend logic.

 
Defining the Application Start Command
 

  • Create a file named lovable.json in the root directory. This configuration file tells Lovable how to start your app.
  • Add the following snippet to specify the startup command:

{
  "start": "node server.js",
  "env": {
    "PORT": "3000"
  }
}
  • This file sets the environment variables your application needs and instructs Lovable which file to execute.

 
Creating the Frontend Booking Page
 

  • Create a new file called index.html in the root directory. This file will serve as the main page for users to create bookings.
  • Add the following HTML code into index.html:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <title>Booking Platform</title>
</head>
<body>
  <h1>Book Your Experience</h1>
  <form id="bookingForm">
    <input type="text" name="name" placeholder="Your Name" required />
    <input type="email" name="email" placeholder="Your Email" required />
    <input type="date" name="date" required />
    <button type="submit">Book Now</button>
  </form>
  <script src="booking.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
  • This file creates a simple form allowing users to input their name, email, and booking date.

 
Creating the Frontend Script
 

  • Create a new file called booking.js in the root directory. This script will handle the form submission.
  • Add the following JavaScript snippet to booking.js:

document.getElementById('bookingForm').addEventListener('submit', async (e) => {
  e.preventDefault();
  
  // Gather form data
  const formData = new FormData(e.target);
  const data = {};
  formData.forEach((value, key) => {
    data[key] = value;
  });

  try {
    // Send form data to the backend /bookings endpoint
    const response = await fetch('/bookings', {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: {
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
      },
      body: JSON.stringify(data)
    });
    const result = await response.json();
    alert(result.message);
  } catch (error) {
    alert('Error creating booking');
  }
});
  • This code listens for form submissions and sends the data to your Express server.

 
Testing Your Booking Platform Locally
 

  • Click the Run button in Lovable’s interface. Lovable will execute server.js using the configuration in lovable.json.
  • Open the provided URL in your browser. You should see the booking form displayed from index.html.
  • Test the form by filling in details and submitting. Console logs in Lovable should display booking data, and the app will show a success message if everything is configured correctly.

 
Deploying Your Booking Platform
 

  • After verifying that the application works as expected, use Lovable’s built-in deployment features to publish your platform.
  • Adjust any configuration settings in lovable.json if necessary for production environments.
  • Share the live URL provided by Lovable with your users so they can start booking.

Want to explore opportunities to work with us?

Connect with our team to unlock the full potential of no-code solutions with a no-commitment consultation!

Book a Free Consultation

How to Build a Lovable Booking API with Express


const express = require('express');
const bodyParser = require('body-parser');
const app = express();

app.use(bodyParser.json());

// In-memory data structure for Lovable booking platform
const bookings = [];

// POST /api/bookings - Create a new booking for a Lovable experience
app.post('/api/bookings', (req, res) => {
  const { userId, experienceId, date, paymentInfo } = req.body;
  if (!userId || !experienceId || !date || !paymentInfo) {
    return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Missing required fields' });
  }
  
  // Create a new booking entry with structured data
  const booking = {
    bookingId: bookings.length + 1,
    userId,
    experienceId,
    date,
    status: 'pending',
    paymentInfo // This may include card details, transaction ids etc.
  };
  
  bookings.push(booking);
  res.status(201).json({ booking });
});

// PUT /api/bookings/:id/status - Update booking status (confirm or cancel)
app.put('/api/bookings/:id/status', (req, res) => {
  const bookingId = parseInt(req.params.id, 10);
  const { status } = req.body;

  const booking = bookings.find(b => b.bookingId === bookingId);
  if (!booking) {
    return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Booking not found' });
  }
  
  if (!['confirmed', 'cancelled'].includes(status)) {
    return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Invalid status value' });
  }
  
  booking.status = status;
  res.json({ booking });
});

// GET /api/bookings/:id - Retrieve details of a specific booking
app.get('/api/bookings/:id', (req, res) => {
  const bookingId = parseInt(req.params.id, 10);
  const booking = bookings.find(b => b.bookingId === bookingId);
  
  if (!booking) {
    return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Booking not found' });
  }
  
  res.json({ booking });
});

const PORT = process.env.PORT || 3000;
app.listen(PORT, () => {
  console.log(`Lovable Booking API server running on port ${PORT}`);
});

How to Process Payment for Bookings with Lovable?


const express = require('express');
const axios = require('axios');
const router = express.Router();

// In-memory store for bookings
const bookings = [];

// POST /api/bookings/pay - Process booking and handle payment via an external API
router.post('/api/bookings/pay', async (req, res) => {
  const { userId, experienceId, date, paymentToken } = req.body;
  if (!userId || !experienceId || !date || !paymentToken) {
    return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Missing required fields' });
  }
  
  try {
    // Call the external payment API to charge the user
    const paymentResponse = await axios.post('https://api.externalpayments.com/charge', {
      token: paymentToken,
      amount: 2000, // Example fixed amount in cents
      currency: 'USD'
    });
    
    if (paymentResponse.data.status !== 'succeeded') {
      return res.status(402).json({ error: 'Payment processing failed' });
    }
    
    // Create a new booking entry after successful payment
    const booking = {
      bookingId: bookings.length + 1,
      userId,
      experienceId,
      date,
      status: 'confirmed',
      paymentDetails: paymentResponse.data
    };
    
    bookings.push(booking);
    res.status(201).json({ booking });
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Payment API error:', error.message);
    res.status(500).json({ error: 'Internal server error during payment processing' });
  }
});

module.exports = router;

How to Cancel a Booking and Process a Refund with Lovable


const express = require('express');
const moment = require('moment');
const axios = require('axios');

const app = express();
app.use(express.json());

const bookings = [
  // Example booking:
  // {
  //   bookingId: 1,
  //   userId: 'user123',
  //   experienceId: 'exp456',
  //   date: '2023-12-25T15:00:00Z',
  //   status: 'confirmed',
  //   paymentInfo: { paymentId: 'pay789', amount: 2500 }
  // }
];

app.post('/api/bookings/:id/cancel', async (req, res) => {
  const bookingId = parseInt(req.params.id, 10);
  const booking = bookings.find(b => b.bookingId === bookingId);
  if (!booking) {
    return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Booking not found' });
  }
  if (booking.status !== 'confirmed') {
    return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Only confirmed bookings can be cancelled' });
  }
  
  const now = moment();
  const bookingDate = moment(booking.date);
  if (bookingDate.diff(now, 'hours') < 48) {
    return res.status(400).json({ error: 'Cancellation period expired. Must cancel at least 48 hours before the booking date.' });
  }
  
  try {
    const refundResponse = await axios.post('https://api.paymentgateway.com/refund', {
      paymentId: booking.paymentInfo.paymentId,
      amount: booking.paymentInfo.amount
    });
    if (refundResponse.data.status !== 'succeeded') {
      return res.status(402).json({ error: 'Refund failed, cancellation aborted' });
    }
    booking.status = 'cancelled';
    res.json({ booking, refund: refundResponse.data });
  } catch (error) {
    res.status(500).json({ error: 'Error processing cancellation and refund', details: error.message });
  }
});

const PORT = process.env.PORT || 3000;
app.listen(PORT, () => console.log(`Server running on port ${PORT}`));

Want to explore opportunities to work with us?

Connect with our team to unlock the full potential of no-code solutions with a no-commitment consultation!

Book a Free Consultation
Matt Graham, CEO of Rapid Developers

Book a call with an Expert

Starting a new venture? Need to upgrade your web app? RapidDev builds application with your growth in mind.

Book a free No-Code consultation

Best Practices for Building a Booking platform with AI Code Generators

 

Understanding the Booking Platform and AI Code Generators

 

  • This guide explains how to build a booking platform with integrated AI code generators in a step-by-step, beginner-friendly manner.
  • A booking platform is a system that allows users to schedule and manage appointments, reservations, or services online.
  • AI code generators help automate parts of the development process by generating code snippets based on textual prompts, reducing manual coding effort and speeding up development.

 

Gathering Requirements and Planning the Platform

 

  • Outline the platform features: user registration, appointment scheduling, payment processing, calendar integration, and notifications.
  • Decide on core functionalities such as searching available slots, checking for conflicts, and managing bookings.
  • Create simple sketches or wireframes to visualize the user interface and interactions.
  • List non-functional requirements like security, performance, and scalability.

 

Choosing the Right AI Code Generator

 

  • Research popular AI code generators like GitHub Copilot, Tabnine, or OpenAI Codex.
  • Consider tools that integrate with your preferred code editor or IDE for a seamless development experience.
  • Check documentation and community feedback to ensure the tool can assist with both front-end and back-end code generation.
  • Plan a small trial project to test the AI generator’s efficiency before applying it to your booking platform.

 

Setting Up the Development Environment

 

  • Install a code editor that supports AI integration (for example, Visual Studio Code with GitHub Copilot extension).
  • Set up version control using Git to track changes and collaborate if necessary.
  • Create a project structure separating front-end, back-end, and assets. For example, create folders named "client" for the user interface and "server" for handling logic and data.
  • Install necessary frameworks and libraries (such as Node.js and Express for the backend, or React for the front end) using package managers like npm or yarn.

 

Developing the Booking Platform Backend

 

  • Generate initial server code using your AI code generator. For instance, ask the AI to create an Express server.
  • Review and understand the generated code. Ensure the server responds to requests and manages data effectively.
  • Create a file (for example, "server/app.js") containing the basic server setup as follows:

const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const port = process.env.PORT || 3000;

// Middleware to parse JSON bodies
app.use(express.json());

// Sample route for booking
app.post('/api/book', (req, res) => {
  // Your booking logic goes here
  res.status(200).json({ message: 'Booking received!' });
});

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server running on port ${port}`);
});
  • Configure environment settings and database connections as needed (e.g., using MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or another database solution).

 

Integrating AI Code Generation into Your Workflow

 

  • Use the AI code generator to create repetitive modules like API endpoints, form validators, and error handlers.
  • Issue clear and precise prompts. For example, "Generate an Express middleware for logging API requests" to get a useful response.
  • Review and test the AI-generated code to ensure it meets security and performance standards.
  • Integrate code snippets into the project manually, adapting them to your project requirements.

 

Building the Front-End Interface

 

  • Create a user-friendly interface using a front-end framework such as React, Vue, or Angular.
  • Generate reusable components with your AI tool. For example, ask for a calendar component or booking form component.
  • Set up navigation and routing so users can easily move between pages like login, booking form, and booking history.
  • Ensure that the front-end interacts with the back-end using RESTful API endpoints or GraphQL as defined in your project.

 

Testing and Debugging

 

  • Perform unit testing on individual components and API endpoints. Tools such as Jest, Mocha, or Chai can be used.
  • End-to-end tests can be set up using frameworks like Selenium or Cypress to validate user journeys.
  • Pay special attention to potential edge cases such as double bookings or invalid input.
  • Use debugging tools in your browser and development environment to diagnose and fix issues.

 

Deploying the Booking Platform

 

  • Select a cloud service provider such as AWS, Heroku, or DigitalOcean to host your booking platform.
  • Configure deployment pipelines using Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) tools like GitHub Actions or Travis CI.
  • Deploy the back-end and front-end either together or via separate services depending on the architecture.
  • Monitor environment variables, secrets, and scaling settings to ensure smooth operation under load.

 

Monitoring and Maintaining the Platform

 

  • Set up application monitoring using services like New Relic, Datadog, or built-in logging solutions to track performance and errors.
  • Implement automated alerts for downtime or critical errors.
  • Regularly update dependencies, fix security vulnerabilities, and optimize both the front-end and back-end.

Client trust and success are our top priorities

When it comes to serving you, we sweat the little things. That’s why our work makes a big impact.

Rapid Dev was an exceptional project management organization and the best development collaborators I've had the pleasure of working with. They do complex work on extremely fast timelines and effectively manage the testing and pre-launch process to deliver the best possible product. I'm extremely impressed with their execution ability.

CPO, Praction - Arkady Sokolov

May 2, 2023

Working with Matt was comparable to having another co-founder on the team, but without the commitment or cost. He has a strategic mindset and willing to change the scope of the project in real time based on the needs of the client. A true strategic thought partner!

Co-Founder, Arc - Donald Muir

Dec 27, 2022

Rapid Dev are 10/10, excellent communicators - the best I've ever encountered in the tech dev space. They always go the extra mile, they genuinely care, they respond quickly, they're flexible, adaptable and their enthusiasm is amazing.

Co-CEO, Grantify - Mat Westergreen-Thorne

Oct 15, 2022

Rapid Dev is an excellent developer for no-code and low-code solutions.
We’ve had great success since launching the platform in November 2023. In a few months, we’ve gained over 1,000 new active users. We’ve also secured several dozen bookings on the platform and seen about 70% new user month-over-month growth since the launch.

Co-Founder, Church Real Estate Marketplace - Emmanuel Brown

May 1, 2024 

Matt’s dedication to executing our vision and his commitment to the project deadline were impressive. 
This was such a specific project, and Matt really delivered. We worked with a really fast turnaround, and he always delivered. The site was a perfect prop for us!

Production Manager, Media Production Company - Samantha Fekete

Sep 23, 2022