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How to build Task management app with Lovable?

Learn how to build a robust task management app with Lovable. Follow our step-by-step guide with code snippets, tips, and best practices for effective workflow management.

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How to build Task management app with Lovable?

 
Step 1: Setting Up Your Lovable Project
 

  • Create a new project in Lovable and name it "Task Management App".
  • Because Lovable does not provide a terminal, dependencies must be installed by adding the required libraries to a configuration file. Create a new file named lovable.json in your project’s root directory with the following content:

{
  "name": "task-management-app",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "dependencies": {
    "lovable-dom": "latest",
    "lovable-storage": "latest"
  },
  "scripts": {
    "start": "load index.html"
  }
}
  • The dependencies field above simulates installing additional libraries that help manage DOM interactions and storage. Lovable will read this file and automatically load these dependencies in your project.

 
Step 2: Creating the Main HTML File
 

  • Create a new file named index.html in the root directory. This file will serve as the main entry point of your app.
  • Add the basic HTML structure with links to your CSS and JavaScript files. Insert the following 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>Task Management App</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
  </head>
  <body>
    <h1>Task Management App</h1>
    <div id="task-container">
      <input type="text" id="new-task" placeholder="Enter new task..." />
      <button id="add-task">Add Task</button>
      <ul id="task-list"></ul>
    </div>
    <script src="app.js"></script>
  </body>
</html>
  • This file sets up the basic interface with an input to add tasks, a button to trigger task addition, and an unordered list where tasks will be displayed.

 
Step 3: Adding the JavaScript Functionality
 

  • Create a new file named app.js in the root directory. This file will handle the logic behind adding, displaying, and deleting tasks.
  • Paste the following code into app.js:

// Check if the browser supports local storage (Lovable storage utility can also be used)
function loadTasks() {
  let tasks = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('tasks')) || [];
  return tasks;
}

function saveTasks(tasks) {
  localStorage.setItem('tasks', JSON.stringify(tasks));
}

function renderTasks() {
  const taskList = document.getElementById('task-list');
  taskList.innerHTML = '';
  const tasks = loadTasks();

  tasks.forEach((task, index) => {
    const li = document.createElement('li');
    li.textContent = task;
    
    // Create a delete button
    const deleteBtn = document.createElement('button');
    deleteBtn.textContent = 'Delete';
    deleteBtn.onclick = function() {
      deleteTask(index);
    };
    
    li.appendChild(deleteBtn);
    taskList.appendChild(li);
  });
}

function addTask() {
  const taskInput = document.getElementById('new-task');
  const taskText = taskInput.value.trim();
  if (taskText === '') {
    return; // Do not add empty tasks
  }
  const tasks = loadTasks();
  tasks.push(taskText);
  saveTasks(tasks);
  taskInput.value = '';
  renderTasks();
}

function deleteTask(index) {
  let tasks = loadTasks();
  tasks.splice(index, 1);
  saveTasks(tasks);
  renderTasks();
}

// Bind event listener to the Add Task button
document.getElementById('add-task').addEventListener('click', addTask);

// Render tasks on initial load
renderTasks();
  • This code defines helper functions for loading and saving tasks. Tasks are stored in the browser's local storage for persistence. The renderTasks() function updates the task list in the UI whenever tasks are added or deleted.
  • The event listener on the Add Task button triggers addTask() which in turn updates local storage and the view.

 
Step 4: Styling Your App with CSS
 

  • Create a new file named styles.css in the root directory. This file will contain the app’s styling.
  • Copy and paste the following code into styles.css:

body {
  font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
  background: #f4f4f4;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 20px;
}

#task-container {
  background: #fff;
  padding: 20px;
  border-radius: 5px;
  max-width: 500px;
  margin: auto;
  box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}

h1 {
  text-align: center;
}

#new-task {
  width: 70%;
  padding: 10px;
  border: 1px solid #ddd;
  border-radius: 3px;
}

#add-task {
  padding: 10px;
  border: none;
  background: #28a745;
  color: #fff;
  border-radius: 3px;
  cursor: pointer;
}

#task-list {
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
  margin-top: 20px;
}

#task-list li {
  padding: 10px;
  background: #eee;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
  border-radius: 3px;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
}

#task-list li button {
  background: #dc3545;
  border: none;
  color: #fff;
  padding: 5px 10px;
  border-radius: 3px;
  cursor: pointer;
}
  • This CSS gives your app a clean and modern interface. It centers the task container and styles the input box, button, and task list items.

 
Step 5: Configuring Lovable to Run Your Application
 

  • Lovable uses the lovable.json file for dependency management and starting your app. The "scripts": { "start": "load index.html" } entry tells Lovable to load the index.html file when your project starts.
  • No terminal commands are necessary since Lovable reads this configuration file to install dependencies and launch your app.

 
Step 6: Testing Your Task Management App
 

  • Once you have created the lovable.json, index.html, app.js, and styles.css files with the provided code, save all your changes.
  • Click the Run button in Lovable's interface. The app should launch and display the task management interface.
  • You can add tasks by typing text into the input field and clicking the Add Task button. Tasks will appear in the list with a Delete button, and deletion updates the displayed tasks immediately.
  • All tasks are stored in local storage, so your data will persist even if you refresh the page.

 
Step 7: Making Additional Changes and Iterating
 

  • If you need to modify dependencies or configurations later, update the lovable.json file accordingly. Lovable will pick up the changes on the next run.
  • For further functionality (such as task editing or marking tasks as completed), update the app.js file by adding additional functions and corresponding UI elements in index.html.
  • Each time you make changes, simply save your files and click the Run button again to see the updates live.

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How to Build a Task Management API with Express for Your Lovable App

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

/\*
 Data structure for tasks includes support for nested subtasks.
 Each task has:
- id: unique identifier
- title: task title
- description: detailed description
- status: "pending" or "completed"
- createdAt: timestamp when task was created
- subtasks: array of similar task objects for nesting
\*/
let tasks = [];

app.post('/api/tasks', (req, res) => {
  const { title, description, subtasks } = req.body;
  const newTask = {
    id: tasks.length + 1,
    title,
    description,
    status: 'pending',
    createdAt: new Date(),
    subtasks: Array.isArray(subtasks)
      ? subtasks.map((sub, index) => ({
          id: 1000 + index + 1,
          title: sub.title,
          description: sub.description,
          status: 'pending',
          createdAt: new Date()
        }))
      : []
  };
  tasks.push(newTask);
  res.status(201).json(newTask);
});

app.get('/api/tasks', (req, res) => {
  res.json(tasks);
});

app.put('/api/tasks/:id', (req, res) => {
  const taskId = parseInt(req.params.id, 10);
  const taskIndex = tasks.findIndex(task => task.id === taskId);
  if (taskIndex === -1) {
    return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Task not found' });
  }
  tasks[taskIndex] = { ...tasks[taskIndex], ...req.body };
  res.json(tasks[taskIndex]);
});

app.delete('/api/tasks/:id', (req, res) => {
  const taskId = parseInt(req.params.id, 10);
  const originalLength = tasks.length;
  tasks = tasks.filter(task => task.id !== taskId);
  if (tasks.length === originalLength) {
    return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Task not found' });
  }
  res.json({ message: 'Task deleted successfully' });
});

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

How to Sync Task Details with Lovable's Enhance API


const express = require('express');
const axios = require('axios');
const app = express();
app.use(express.json());

// In-memory task store for demonstration purposes
let tasks = [
  { id: 1, title: 'Design UI Mockup', description: 'Create initial UI designs', status: 'pending' }
];

// Route to sync additional task details from an external API (e.g., Lovable Enhancements API)
app.get('/api/tasks/:id/sync', async (req, res) => {
  const taskId = parseInt(req.params.id, 10);
  const task = tasks.find(t => t.id === taskId);
  if (!task) {
    return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Task not found' });
  }
  
  try {
    // Request external API for enhanced task information based on title and description
    const response = await axios.get('https://api.lovable.com/enhanceTask', {
      params: {
        title: task.title,
        description: task.description
      }
    });
    
    // Merge the retrieved details into the task object
    task.enhancedDetails = response.data;
    res.json(task);
  } catch (error) {
    res.status(500).json({ error: 'Failed to sync with external API', details: error.message });
  }
});

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

How to recursively complete tasks and notify Lovable's API


const express = require('express');
const axios = require('axios');
const app = express();
app.use(express.json());

let tasks = [
  { id: 1, title: 'Plan Project', description: 'Plan tasks for the project', status: 'pending', subtasks: [
    { id: 11, title: 'Define scope', description: 'Outline project boundaries', status: 'pending', subtasks: [] },
    { id: 12, title: 'Assign team', description: 'Select team members', status: 'pending', subtasks: [] }
  ]},
  { id: 2, title: 'Design UI', description: 'Create initial UI mockups', status: 'pending', subtasks: [] }
];

function completeTaskRecursively(task) {
  task.status = 'completed';
  if (Array.isArray(task.subtasks)) {
    task.subtasks.forEach(subtask => completeTaskRecursively(subtask));
  }
}

function findTaskById(taskList, id) {
  for (let task of taskList) {
    if (task.id === id) {
      return task;
    }
    if (task.subtasks && task.subtasks.length) {
      const found = findTaskById(task.subtasks, id);
      if (found) return found;
    }
  }
  return null;
}

app.post('/api/tasks/:id/complete', async (req, res) => {
  const taskId = parseInt(req.params.id, 10);
  const task = findTaskById(tasks, taskId);
  if (!task) {
    return res.status(404).json({ error: 'Task not found' });
  }
  completeTaskRecursively(task);
  try {
    const response = await axios.post('https://api.lovable.com/taskCompletion', {
      taskId: task.id,
      completedAt: new Date(),
      details: { title: task.title, description: task.description }
    });
    res.json({ message: 'Task and all subtasks marked as completed', lovableData: response.data });
  } catch (error) {
    res.status(500).json({ error: 'Error notifying Lovable API', 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 Task management app with AI Code Generators

 
Understanding the Requirements
 

  • Begin by clarifying what a task management app should do. Common features include creating, editing, and deleting tasks, as well as assigning deadlines and priorities.
  • Identify the role of AI code generators in your project. They can assist by automating repetitive coding tasks, suggesting improvements, or even generating boilerplate code.
  • Outline user expectations such as ease of use, responsiveness, and clear visibility of task status.

 
Setting Up Your Development Environment
 

  • Decide on a programming language and framework that is friendly for beginners. For example, using Python with a framework like Flask can be a good start.
  • Install necessary tools such as a code editor (e.g., Visual Studio Code) and version control software (e.g., Git).
  • Integrate an AI code generator plugin or service with your code editor. Many modern editors support plug-ins that can provide code suggestions or even automated refactoring.

 
Planning the App Structure
 

  • Sketch a simple flow of how users will interact with the app. Think about steps like logging in, viewing tasks, and adding new tasks.
  • Create a logical separation between the user interface (front-end) and the server logic (back-end). Even if you do not have a technical background, organizing these concepts will help you understand how different parts communicate.
  • Outline a database structure. A simple structure might include fields for task ID, description, deadlines, and status.

 
Leveraging AI Code Generators
 

  • Identify repetitive coding tasks such as writing standard API endpoints or form validation scripts. AI code generators can automate these.
  • Use the AI tool to generate initial code for common operations. For instance, ask the generator to create a function for adding a task to your database.
  • Review and manually refine the generated code. AI suggestions might need adjustments to match your specific requirements.

 
Implementing the Core Features
 

  • Focus on the CRUD operations for tasks: Create, Read, Update, and Delete.
  • Start by building a simple API endpoint for adding a task. Use the AI tool’s code generator to produce a template, then customize it as needed.

from flask import Flask, request, jsonify

app = Flask(**name**)
tasks = []

@app.route('/add\_task', methods=['POST'])
def add\_task():
    data = request.get\_json()
    task = {
        'id': len(tasks) + 1,
        'description': data.get('description'),
        'completed': False
    }
    tasks.append(task)
    return jsonify(task), 201

if **name** == '**main**':
    app.run(debug=True)
  • Similarly, create endpoints for editing and deleting tasks. Let the AI assist by providing the basic structure of these endpoints and then adjust logic based on your task model.

 
Organizing Your Code
 

  • Keep your code organized by separating different functionalities into modules or files. For example, you might create a file for API routes and another for database interactions.
  • Document each module or function with simple comments explaining what it does. AI tools can sometimes generate these comments for clarity.

 
Incorporating AI for Continuous Improvement
 

  • As you add

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