TimeTracker/docs/CLIENT_FEATURES_IMPLEMENTATION.md

Client Features Implementation Guide

Date: 2025-01-27
Status: In Progress

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Implementation Summary

This document tracks the implementation of all client-facing features recommended in CLIENT_FEATURE_RECOMMENDATIONS.md.

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✅ Completed Features

1. Time Entry Approval UI in Client Portal

Status: ✅ Routes Added

Files Modified:

• app/routes/client_portal.py - Added approval routes

Routes Added:

• /client-portal/approvals - List pending approvals
• /client-portal/approvals/<id> - View approval details
• /client-portal/approvals/<id>/approve - Approve time entry
• /client-portal/approvals/<id>/reject - Reject time entry

Next Steps:

• Create templates: templates/client_portal/approvals.html
• Create template: templates/client_portal/approval_detail.html
• Add approval count badge to dashboard
• Add approval notifications

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2. Quote Approval Workflow

Status: ✅ Routes Added

Files Modified:

• app/routes/client_portal.py - Added quote approval routes

Routes Added:

• /client-portal/quotes/<id>/accept - Accept quote
• /client-portal/quotes/<id>/reject - Reject quote

Next Steps:

• Update quote detail template with accept/reject buttons
• Add email notifications for quote acceptance/rejection
• Create email templates: templates/email/quote_accepted.html, templates/email/quote_rejected.html

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3. Invoice Payment Links

Status: ✅ Route Added

Files Modified:

• app/routes/client_portal.py - Added payment route

Routes Added:

• /client-portal/invoices/<id>/pay - Pay invoice via gateway

Next Steps:

• Add "Pay Now" button to invoice detail view
• Update invoice list to show payment status
• Add payment status indicators

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4. Project Comments (Partial)

Status: ⚠️ Route Added, Needs Model Update

Files Modified:

• app/routes/client_portal.py - Added comment route

Routes Added:

• /client-portal/projects/<id>/comments - View/add project comments

Issues:

• Comment model requires user_id (non-nullable)
• Need to either:
  • Create system user for client comments
  • Modify Comment model to support nullable user_id with client_contact_id
  • Create separate ClientComment model

Next Steps:

• Decide on approach for client comments
• Update Comment model or create ClientComment model
• Create template: templates/client_portal/project_comments.html
• Add comment count to project view

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🚧 In Progress Features

5. Email Notification System

Status: 🚧 Planning

Required:

• Client notification preferences model
• Email templates for:
  • New invoice created
  • Invoice payment received
  • Project milestone reached
  • Budget threshold alerts
  • Time entry approval requests
  • Project status changes
  • New quotes available

Implementation:

• Create ClientNotificationPreferences model
• Add notification service methods
• Create email templates
• Add notification triggers

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6. In-App Notification Center

Status: 🚧 Planning

Required:

• Notification model for client portal
• Notification center UI component
• Real-time updates via WebSocket
• Notification preferences

Implementation:

• Create ClientNotification model
• Add notification API endpoints
• Create notification center component
• Integrate with WebSocket system

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7. Enhanced File Sharing

Status: 🚧 Planning

Current State:

• ClientAttachment model exists
• Basic file upload/download

Enhancements Needed:

• Document library UI
• Folder organization
• Document categories
• Search functionality
• Version control
• Document preview

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8. Client Dashboard Widgets

Status: 🚧 Planning

Current State:

• Dashboard widget system exists (dashboard-widgets.js)
• Basic dashboard exists

Enhancements Needed:

• Client-specific widgets
• Customizable layout
• Widget preferences storage
• Quick actions widget

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9. Client-Specific Reports

Status: 🚧 Planning

Required:

• Report generation service
• Report templates
• Scheduled report emails
• PDF/Excel export
• Visual analytics

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10. Project Activity Feed

Status: 🚧 Planning

Required:

• Activity feed component
• Real-time updates
• Activity filtering
• Activity types:
  • Time entries added
  • Tasks completed
  • Comments posted
  • Files uploaded
  • Status changes

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📋 Implementation Checklist

Phase 1: Quick Wins (Week 1)

• Time Entry Approval UI routes
• Quote Approval routes
• Invoice Payment route
• Approval templates
• Quote approval templates
• Payment button in invoice view

Phase 2: Core Features (Week 2-3)

• Email notification system
• In-app notification center
• Project comments (with model update)
• Enhanced file sharing UI
• Dashboard widgets

Phase 3: Advanced Features (Week 4-5)

• Client-specific reports
• Project activity feed
• Real-time updates
• Mobile optimizations

Phase 4: Polish (Week 6)

• UI/UX improvements
• Performance optimization
• Documentation
• Testing

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🔧 Technical Notes

Comment Model Issue

The Comment model requires user_id to be non-nullable. For client comments, we have options:

Option 1: System User

• Create a system user for client comments
• Store contact_id in a separate field
• Pros: No model changes
• Cons: Requires system user management

Option 2: Modify Comment Model

• Make user_id nullable
• Add client_contact_id field
• Add is_client_comment boolean
• Pros: Clean separation
• Cons: Requires migration

Option 3: Separate Model

• Create ClientComment model
• Similar structure to Comment
• Pros: Complete separation
• Cons: Code duplication

Recommendation: Option 2 (Modify Comment Model)

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Notification System Architecture

ClientNotification Model
├── client_id
├── type (invoice, project, approval, etc.)
├── title
├── message
├── read_at
├── created_at
└── metadata (JSON)

ClientNotificationPreferences Model
├── client_id
├── email_enabled
├── email_types (JSON array)
├── in_app_enabled
└── preferences (JSON)

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📝 Template Requirements

New Templates Needed:

1. templates/client_portal/approvals.html - Approval list
2. templates/client_portal/approval_detail.html - Approval details
3. templates/client_portal/project_comments.html - Project comments
4. templates/client_portal/notifications.html - Notification center
5. templates/client_portal/documents.html - Document library
6. templates/client_portal/reports.html - Reports page
7. templates/client_portal/activity_feed.html - Activity feed

Email Templates Needed:

1. templates/email/client_invoice_created.html
2. templates/email/client_payment_received.html
3. templates/email/client_milestone_reached.html
4. templates/email/client_budget_alert.html
5. templates/email/client_approval_request.html (exists)
6. templates/email/quote_accepted.html
7. templates/email/quote_rejected.html

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🎯 Success Metrics

• Client portal engagement (login frequency)
• Feature usage rates
• Invoice payment speed
• Approval response time
• Support ticket reduction

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Last Updated: 2025-01-27
Next Review: After Phase 1 completion