Finance Manager Software as a Service

Introduction

• Presenter: Antonio
• Topic: Building a finance manager web app to manage financial data.
• Features Highlighted:
  • User dashboard with interactive graphs for transactions, income, and expenses.
  • Filters by accounts and date ranges.
  • CSV uploads and direct bank connections using Plaid.
  • Real-time data management, including adding, editing, and deleting transactions.
  • Support for interacting with bank data and performing bulk operations.

User Dashboard Overview

• Main Components:
  • Interactive, switchable graphs displaying transactions and categories.
  • Options to sort, search, and bulk delete transactions.
  • Form for adding new transactions with dynamic components.
• Features:
  • Renaming accounts and setting transactions to uncategorized when categories are deleted.
  • Real-time data updates and edits.
  • Integration with Plaid to connect and fetch bank transactions.
  • CSV import functionality with the ability to map CSV columns to specific fields.
  • Settings to disconnect bank accounts and manage subscriptions.

Project Setup

• Technology Stack:
  • Next.js for building React applications.
  • Bun, an alternative JavaScript runtime for improved performance.
  • Clerk for user authentication and management.
  • Tailwind CSS for utility-first CSS styling.
  • Drizzle ORM for database management, particularly with Neon PostgreSQL.
• Initial Setup:
  • Instructions for installing dependencies and project setup using either Node.js or Bun.
  • Basic Next.js project structure with TypeScript and Tailwind CSS.
  • Using Shadcn UI for a collection of reusable components.

Development Process

Authentication with Clerk

• Setup:
  • Clerk initialization and environment variables setup (NEXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_PUBLISHABLE_KEY and CLERK_SECRET_KEY).
  • Middleware configuration for protecting routes based on user authentication.
• Routes:
  • Creating route groups for structured routing (auth, dashboard), including catch-all routes for authentication.
  • Sign-in and sign-up pages designed with Clerk components.
  • Protected dashboard route ensuring only logged-in users access certain pages.
• Functional Overview:
  • Integration with Clerk to manage user sessions and authentication status.
  • Handling of protected routes to ensure security.

API Integration with Hono

• Setup:
  • Installation of Hono and integration with Next.js Edge Middleware.
  • Creation of catch-all API route for streamlined API management.
• APIs:
  • Building different example API routes (authors, books) and learning query methods with Drizzle ORM.
  • Implementing error handling strategies using Hono middleware and HTTP exceptions.
  • Editor-friendly approaches to dynamically manage API routes and RPC setups.

Building Features and Pages

Transactions Page

• Functionalities:
  • Creation of transactions tab with view, add, and manage options.
  • Implementation of a detailed transactions table with sorting, searching, and bulk operations.
  • Integration with CSV uploads for bulk transaction management.
  • Setup to connect with bank accounts using Plaid after performing upgrades.
• Components:
  • Transaction form with dynamic fields for adding accounts and categories.
  • Real-time data updates for adding, editing transactions, and managing categories.
  • Utilization of Clerk for managing user accounts and authentication features.
• Error Handling:
  • Creating detailed error handling and validation across forms and API interactions.
  • Introduction of status codes and smart amount component for better flexibility.

Creating Financial Data Management Views

• Interactive Charts:
  • Implementation of interactive charts to visualize financial data over periods.
  • Features to filter data by date ranges and account types.
  • Setting up chart components to display income, expenses, and balance trends.
• Summary and Reports:
  • Generating summary pages with a comprehensive update of financial data.
  • Dynamic filters and tools to manage transactions in bulk (e.g., CSV uploads).
  • Handling bank data integrations with detailed transaction and category management.

Advanced Features and Technologies

• Hono and Integrations:
  • Advanced guide on using Hono with Drizzle ORM and the automation of API route management.
  • Techniques for seamless integration with external services and leveraging Next.js features.
  • Real-time functionality with smart updates across different financial management tools.
• Projections and Future Enhancements:
  • Emphasis on subscription-based services with integration points for payment providers (e.g., Lemon Squeezy).
  • Security considerations with route protection and user session management.
  • Exploring further capabilities of Next.js, including file-based routing and server-side functionalities.

Final Deployment and Optimization

• Environment Configuration:
  • Detailing all necessary environment variables and their roles, especially for backend services.
  • Optimization steps before deployment, including build and caching strategies.
• Deployment Process:
  • Step-by-step guide for deploying on Vercel.
  • Adjustments for production environment and handling different deployment stages.

Conclusion

• Review:
  • Comprehensive build of a full-featured financial manager web app.
  • Integration of several modern web development technologies and tools.
• Course Follow-up:
  • Links to extended courses for additional features such as monthly subscription plans and Plaid integrations.
  • Access to pro-level content and source code through the provided links.

Additional Notes

• Scripting and Code Management:
  • Usage of advanced scripting techniques (with Bun and Drizzle) for database and migration handling.
  • Simplifying complex query management with honolibraries and error handling strategies.
• Visual Enhancements:
  • Tailored UI components for a seamless user experience across different devices.