Dead Simple Task List

The Dead Simple Task List is a lightweight, share-by-link Kanban app for teams that want to collaborate instantly without account setup or onboarding friction.

Built during a 24 Hour Hackathon, this project shipped as a complete full-stack product: frontend, API, backed, and deployment-ready architecture.

Live app: https://deadsimpletasks.app/

Contributors: Eli Parker, Canon Curtis, Emery Ingebretsen

Why We Built This

Most task tools are powerful but heavy. For short-lived projects, hackathons, group assignments, or household planning, they can feel like overkill.

This app focuses on one thing:

• Create a board
• Share one link
• Start organizing immediately

No required account. No workspace setup. No extra ceremony.

Hackathon Scope (24 Hours)

In one day, we built and integrated:

• A React web client with a clean Kanban experience
• A GraphQL API with Apollo Server
• A PostgreSQL-backed data model and SQL migrations
• Board persistence and ordering logic for columns/tasks
• Local "recent boards" UX so users can jump back in quickly

Features

• Shareable board links for instant collaboration
• Kanban-style columns and tasks
• Task and column ordering support
• Recent boards saved in local storage
• GraphQL API designed for real-time friendly workflows

Tech Stack

Frontend:

• React
• TypeScript
• Vite

Backend:

• Node.js
• Apollo Server (GraphQL)
• TypeScript

Data:

• PostgreSQL
• SQL migrations

Project Structure

apps/
  web/   # React + Vite frontend
  api/   # Apollo GraphQL API + Postgres migrations
docs/    # Product notes and design artifacts

Running Locally

1) Start the API

cd apps/api
npm install
cp .env.example .env
npm run dev

Notes:

• API runs on PORT=4000 by default.
• DATABASE_ENABLED=false works for local development without Postgres.
• Set DATABASE_ENABLED=true and DATABASE_URL to enable full persistence.

2) Start the Web App

cd apps/web
npm install
npm run dev

Architecture Notes

• GraphQL schema and resolvers live under apps/api/src/graphql.
• Database migrations live in apps/api/migrations and run at API startup when DB is enabled.
• The frontend stores recently opened board metadata in local storage for quick return visits.

Design Artifacts

• Concept mockup: Task List Concept.png
• API graph: Task List API.png

What This Project Demonstrates

• End-to-end product execution under extreme time constraints
• Practical full-stack architecture decisions
• Delivery focus: solving a real collaboration pain point with minimal UX friction

License

GPL 3 (see LICENSE)