Invoico
A personal invoicing platform built for my dad to replace expensive monthly subscription services. Started as a simple solution but evolved into a comprehensive invoicing system with client management, payment tracking, and email automation using Resend.
Project Overview
Understanding the problem, approach, and solution
Invoico started as a personal project to help my dad avoid paying monthly subscription fees for invoicing software. What began as a simple solution evolved into a comprehensive invoicing platform as I kept adding features and improvements.
My dad was paying expensive monthly fees for basic invoicing functionality. Most invoicing solutions are overpriced for small businesses and freelancers who just need simple, reliable invoice management without recurring costs.
I built a full-stack invoicing platform using Next.js with heavy emphasis on Server Actions for data management and Resend for email automation. The system grew organically as I continuously added features based on real usage needs.
Technical Architecture
Deep dive into the technologies and architectural decisions
Implementation Details
Next.js with TypeScript for a robust and type-safe user interface
Heavy use of Server Actions for seamless data mutations and form handling
Prisma ORM with PostgreSQL for reliable data management
Resend API integration for automated invoice delivery and payment reminders
Dynamic PDF generation for professional invoice documents
Shadcn UI components with Tailwind CSS for consistent design
Technology Stack
Core Technologies
Architecture Highlights
- Modern, scalable architecture with separation of concerns
- Type-safe development with comprehensive TypeScript integration
- Optimized performance with lazy loading and caching strategies
- Responsive design with mobile-first approach
Challenges & Solutions
Key technical challenges encountered and how they were overcome
The Challenge
Creating professional, customizable PDF invoices with dynamic content
The Solution
Implemented React-PDF with custom templates and dynamic data binding
The Challenge
Managing complex data operations and form submissions efficiently
The Solution
Leveraged Next.js Server Actions extensively for type-safe server-side operations and seamless form handling
The Challenge
Ensuring invoice emails are delivered reliably without being marked as spam
The Solution
Integrated Resend API with proper domain authentication and email templates for professional delivery
Results & Impact
Measurable outcomes and the positive impact of the solution
Eliminated monthly subscription costs for my dad's business
Server Actions provide seamless, type-safe data operations
Resend integration ensures reliable email delivery
Continuous feature additions based on real-world usage feedback
Project Success
This project successfully addressed the core challenges while delivering measurable improvements in user experience, performance, and business metrics. The solution demonstrates modern development practices and scalable architecture.
Key Learnings
Skills and knowledge gained through this project
Mastered Next.js Server Actions for type-safe server-side operations
Learned email automation and deliverability best practices with Resend
Gained experience in iterative development based on real user feedback
Developed skills in PDF generation and document handling
Business Impact
Real-world value and market positioning
Saves $50-100+ monthly subscription fees for small businesses
Provides professional invoicing without recurring costs
Designed to support multiple businesses and high invoice volumes
Future Enhancements
Planned improvements and feature roadmap
Add payment gateway integration (Stripe, PayPal)
Implement recurring invoice automation
Add expense tracking and financial reporting
Build mobile app for on-the-go invoice management
Continuous Innovation
This project continues to evolve with new features and improvements based on user feedback and emerging technologies.