Introduction

Building an e-commerce application as a solo developer can be both a rewarding and challenging experience. My project, Tathya, aims to create a smooth shopping experience for users, integrating modern practices and scalable architecture. This post shares insights from my development process, highlighting how I structured the project and solved technical challenges.

Adopting Agile for Solo Development

Even as a solo developer, I found the Agile methodology valuable to stay organized, focused, and adaptive.

1. Product Backlog: I started by breaking down key features such as user authentication, product catalog, and cart management into user stories.
2. Sprint Planning: Each user story was assigned to fixed sprints, allowing me to focus on manageable chunks within specific time frames.
3. Kanban Board: I used a Kanban board to visualize tasks and their progress, helping to prioritize work and stay on track.
4. Daily Standups: Though I don’t have a team, daily reviews of my progress helped me adjust plans and identify areas for improvement.

Building the MVP

The core goal for the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a functional and intuitive shopping platform, focusing on five primary features:

1. User Authentication: Secure user registration and login form the foundation. I added basic validation and error handling, ensuring a smooth user experience.
2. Product Catalog: Users can browse products with essential details like name, description, price, and images. A basic search and filtering system enhances navigation.
3. Shopping Cart: I implemented a cart where users can add, remove, and update items. Each action reflects both on the front end and the server, thanks to React Query for handling mutations.
4. Checkout Process: The checkout system collects shipping and payment info, ensuring the cart is validated before purchase.
5. Order Management: Users can track their order history and status, keeping them informed from the moment they place an order.

Designing the Database Schema

I designed my database using Prisma to define the schema:

model User {
  id           Int      @id @default(autoincrement())
  username     String   @unique
  email        String   @unique
  password     String
  refreshTokens RefreshToken[]
}

model Clothing {
  id        Int       @id @default(autoincrement())
  name      String
  price     Float
  colors    Color[]
  sizes     Size[]
}

model CartItem {
  id          Int      @id @default(autoincrement())
  user        User     @relation(fields: [userId], references: [id])
  clothing    Clothing @relation(fields: [clothingId], references: [id])
  quantity    Int
  createdAt   DateTime @default(now())
}