Kickly: AI-Powered Project Platform for Startups

We built Kickly as a distributed platform where each function - AI planning, collaboration, time tracking, billing - runs as its own service. This let each part scale based on demand and fail independently without taking down the whole platform. The desktop app uses Electron to feel native on Windows and Mac while sharing the same React codebase as the web app. Both connect to the same backend APIs, so work syncs automatically. For real-time features, we used WebSockets to push updates instantly. When someone adds a task or sends a message, everyone sees it immediately without refreshing. **Key Features:** **AI Project Planning** – Users describe their startup idea in plain language. The AI analyzes it and generates a complete project plan with phases, tasks, timelines, and resource estimates. The AI adapts based on the industry and team size. **Smart Task Management** – Tasks organize into custom workflows. Teams can create boards, set dependencies, assign owners, and track progress. The system prevents circular dependencies and warns about blockers. **Built-In Time Tracking** – Team members clock in and out of tasks directly from the app. Time data feeds into reports showing where effort goes and whether projects stay on budget. **Team Chat and Channels** – Every project gets chat channels for different topics. Messages, files, and task references stay organized. Notifications ensure people see important updates without getting overwhelmed. **Desktop and Web Apps** – The same experience works on desktop and browser. Projects, tasks, messages, and time entries sync across both platforms in real-time. **AI Assistant Integration** – Users can ask the AI questions about their project anytime. The assistant has context on the project plan, current progress, and team activity, so it gives relevant answers. **Subscription Management **– Teams choose their plan and get access to features based on their tier. AI credits, storage limits, and team seats adjust automatically. Billing handles upgrades, downgrades, and usage overages. **Activity Feeds** – A timeline shows everything happening across the project - tasks completed, messages sent, time logged, plan updates. Teams can see progress at a glance. **API Access** – Developers can connect Kickly to other tools through REST APIs. This lets teams integrate time tracking with payroll systems or sync tasks with external project managers. **Security and Permissions **– Project owners control who can view, edit, or manage different parts of the platform. Sensitive data encrypts in transit and at rest.