Step-by-Step Guide: Building a Trello Clone with Adalo

Building a Trello-style project management app seems straightforward until you realize the complexity involved: dynamic boards, movable task cards, user collaboration, and cross-platform deployment. Traditional development would require separate codebases for web, iOS, and Android—plus months of work and significant technical expertise to handle the database relationships and real-time updates that make these apps functional.

That's where Adalo comes in. Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months. With smart workarounds for task management workflows, you can create a fully functional Trello clone that organizes projects, tracks progress, and keeps teams aligned—all without writing a single line of code.

Why Adalo Works for Building a Trello-Style Project Management App

Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This makes it an excellent choice for creating a Trello-inspired task management system, where real-time data organization and cross-platform accessibility are essential for keeping teams productive whether they're at their desks or on the go.

Publishing your project management app to the app stores opens up significant advantages for team collaboration. With native mobile apps, your users can receive push notifications when tasks are assigned, deadlines approach, or project updates occur—keeping everyone aligned without constantly checking their browser. This level of engagement transforms a simple task tracker into a powerful productivity tool that travels with your team.

Building a project management app inspired by Trello is an excellent way to explore Adalo's powerful features. While Adalo doesn't support native drag-and-drop functionality, this guide will show you how to create a fully functional task management system using Adalo's components and creative workarounds. Adalo's (soon to be prompt-enabled) agnostic builder lets you publish the same app to the web, native iOS, and native Android, all without writing a line of code or rebuilding. If your plan is mass distribution through the app stores' vast marketplaces, then this is a great option versus many of the vibe-coding builders out there today.

Prerequisites and Important Notes

Before starting, understand that Adalo currently doesn't offer drag-and-drop components for moving items between lists. Instead, we'll implement status changes through dropdowns, buttons, and smart filtering. This approach creates an effective project management tool that maintains the core organizational benefits of Trello.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Database Structure

The foundation of any Adalo app is a well-designed database. For our Trello clone, we'll create four main collections with carefully planned relationships. Learn more about Adalo's database fundamentals before proceeding.

1.1 Create the Boards Collection

Navigate to your Adalo database and create a new collection called "Boards":

• Name (Text): The board title
• Description (Text): Board description
• Owner (Relationship to Users): One-to-many relationship
• Members (Relationship to Users): Many-to-many relationship
• Created Date (Date/Time): Automatically set on creation
• Color (Text): For visual customization

1.2 Create the Lists Collection

Add a "Lists" collection to organize cards within boards:

• Name (Text): List title
• Board (Relationship to Boards): Many-to-one relationship
• Position (Number): For ordering lists
• Created Date (Date/Time): Automatically set

1.3 Create the Cards Collection

The "Cards" collection is the heart of your task management:

• Title (Text): Card title
• Description (Text): Detailed task description
• List (Relationship to Lists): Many-to-one relationship
• Assigned User (Relationship to Users): Many-to-one relationship
• Due Date (Date/Time): Task deadline
• Status (Text): Current status (To Do, In Progress, Done)
• Priority (Text): High, Medium, Low
• Position (Number): For ordering within lists
• Created Date (Date/Time): Automatically set

1.4 Create the Comments Collection (Optional)

For collaboration features, add a "Comments" collection:

• Content (Text): Comment text
• Card (Relationship to Cards): Many-to-one relationship
• Author (Relationship to Users): Many-to-one relationship
• Created Date (Date/Time): Automatically set

Step 2: Building the Board Overview Screen

Start with a screen that displays all available boards. This serves as your app's home screen.

2.1 Add Navigation Bar

1. Add a Rectangle component at the top of your screen
2. Set background color to match your brand
3. Add a Text component inside with "My Boards" as the title
4. Include an Image component for your logo

2.2 Create Board List Display

1. Add a Custom List component below the navigation
2. Configure the list (learn more about connecting lists to databases):
   
   • What is this a list of?: Boards
   • Filter: Where Owner equals Logged in User OR Members contains Logged in User
   • Sort by: Created Date (Newest First)

2.3 Design Board Cards

Within the Custom List, design each board item:

1. Add a Rectangle as the container
2. Include a Text component for the board name using Magic Text
3. Add another Text component for description
4. Apply the board's color property to the rectangle background
5. Add an Icon component for visual appeal

2.4 Implement Board Actions

1. Set the entire list item to Link → Board Detail Screen
2. Send Current Board as data
3. Add a Button component labeled "Create New Board"
4. Link this button to a board creation form screen

Step 3: Creating the Board Detail Screen

This screen displays lists and cards within a selected board, implementing our Trello-like functionality.

3.1 Set Up Screen Layout

1. Add a Rectangle for the header section
2. Include board name using Text with Magic Text from Current Board
3. Add navigation Icon to return to boards list
4. Create a horizontal scroll container using a Rectangle with overflow settings

3.2 Implement Status-Based Card Lists

Since we can't drag and drop, we'll create three filtered lists for different statuses:

To Do List Setup:

1. Add a Rectangle container (width: 300px)
2. Add header Text: "To Do"
3. Insert a Custom List component
4. Configure the list:
   
   • What is this a list of?: Cards
   • Filter: Where List → Board equals Current Board AND Status equals "To Do"
   • Sort by: Position (Ascending), then Created Date

In Progress List Setup:

1. Duplicate the To Do list container
2. Change header text to "In Progress"
3. Update filter: Where List → Board equals Current Board AND Status equals "In Progress"

Done List Setup:

1. Duplicate again for the Done list
2. Change header text to "Done"
3. Update filter: Where List → Board equals Current Board AND Status equals "Done"

3.3 Design Card Components

Within each Custom List, create card displays:

1. Add a Rectangle with rounded corners and shadow
2. Include Text for card title using Magic Text
3. Add Text for assigned user (if exists)
4. Display due date with conditional formatting
5. Add priority indicator using colored Rectangle

3.4 Add Card Creation Buttons

1. Below each list header, add a Button: "+ Add Card"
2. Set action to Link → Create Card Screen
3. Send data: Current Board and default status based on list

Step 4: Building Card Management Features

Create screens and forms for adding and editing cards with status management capabilities.

4.1 Create Card Form Screen

1. Add screen title: "Create New Card"
2. Include Input components:
   
   • Title (Text input, required)
   • Description (Multiline text input)
   • Due Date (Date picker)
   • Priority (Dropdown with options: High, Medium, Low)
   • Assigned User (Dropdown showing board members)

4.2 Add Hidden Fields

Use invisible components to set default values:

1. Add hidden Text for Status (set based on which list's button was clicked)
2. Include hidden Text for Board relationship
3. Set Position to count of existing cards + 1

4.3 Implement Form Actions

1. Add "Create" Button with action:
   
   • Create → Cards collection
   • Map all form inputs to database fields
   • Link back to Board Detail Screen after creation

Step 5: Implementing Status Changes

Without drag-and-drop, we need alternative methods for moving cards between lists.

5.1 Quick Status Change Buttons

On each card in the Custom Lists:

1. Add small Icon buttons for status changes
2. For To Do cards: Add "→" icon with action:
   
   • Update Current Card
   • Set Status to "In Progress"
3. For In Progress cards: Add both "←" and "✓" icons
4. Configure appropriate status updates for each

5.2 Card Detail Screen with Full Edit

1. Create a new screen for card details
2. Add Link action from card tap in lists
3. Include all card information with Text components
4. Add Dropdown for status selection:
   
   • Options: To Do, In Progress, Done
   • Default: Current Card's Status
5. Include "Update" Button that saves all changes

5.3 Bulk Actions Implementation

1. Add a Toggle component to each card for selection mode
2. Create a conditional Rectangle that appears when any card is selected
3. Include bulk action Buttons:
   
   • Move Selected to In Progress
   • Move Selected to Done
   • Delete Selected

Step 6: Adding Advanced Features

Enhance your Trello clone with powerful Adalo features.

6.1 User Management and Permissions

1. On the Board Detail Screen, add a "Members" Icon
2. Link to a Board Members screen showing:
   
   • Current members list using Simple List
   • "Add Member" functionality with user search
3. Implement conditional visibility:
   
   • Show edit buttons only to board owner
   • Display "Leave Board" only to non-owners

6.2 Search and Filter Implementation

1. Add Input component for search above card lists
2. Update Custom List filters to include (reference Adalo's filtering guide):
   
   • Title contains Search Input OR
   • Description contains Search Input
3. Add filter Dropdown for:
   
   • Assigned to me
   • Due this week
   • High priority only

6.3 Comments System

1. On the Card Detail Screen, add a Comments section
2. Use Custom List to display comments:
   
   • Filter: Where Card equals Current Card
   • Sort: Created Date (Newest First)
3. Add comment Input and "Post" Button
4. Configure Create action for new comments

6.4 Due Date Notifications

1. Use conditional formatting on cards:
   
   • Red background if Due Date is before Today
   • Yellow if Due Date is within 3 days
2. Add a "My Tasks" screen showing:
   
   • All cards assigned to Logged in User
   • Sorted by Due Date (Earliest First)

Step 7: Mobile Optimization

Adapt your design for mobile devices using Adalo's responsive features.

7.1 Mobile Navigation

1. Replace horizontal list layout with Tab Bar
2. Create separate screens for each status
3. Use the Tab Bar to navigate between:
   
   • To Do
   • In Progress
   • Done
   • My Tasks

7.2 Mobile-Friendly Card Design

1. Adjust card width to full screen width minus padding
2. Increase touch targets for buttons
3. Use Modal screens for card editing instead of navigation
4. Implement swipe actions using Deck Swiper for card review

Step 8: Performance Optimization

Ensure your app runs smoothly with these optimization techniques.

8.1 List Performance

1. Limit Custom Lists to show maximum 20 items
2. Add "Load More" Button at list bottom
3. Use simple components where possible
4. Minimize the number of Magic Text calculations

8.2 Data Management

1. Create a "Archive" status for old cards
2. Filter out archived cards from main views
3. Add periodic cleanup actions
4. Use indexed properties for filtering (Status, Board relationships)

Step 9: Styling and Polish

Make your Trello clone visually appealing and professional using Adalo's design principles.

9.1 Consistent Design System

1. Define color variables for:
   
   • Primary brand color
   • Status colors (blue for To Do, yellow for In Progress, green for Done)
   • Priority indicators (red for High, orange for Medium, gray for Low)
2. Use consistent spacing: 16px between major elements
3. Apply shadow styles to cards for depth

9.2 Animations and Feedback

1. Add loading states using conditional Spinner components
2. Show success messages after actions using Modal notifications
3. Implement smooth transitions between screens
4. Use opacity changes for hover states where applicable

Step 10: Testing and Deployment

Before launching, thoroughly test your Trello clone.

10.1 Testing Checklist

• Create multiple test boards with various members
• Test all CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete)
• Verify filters work correctly across all status lists
• Check permission-based visibility
• Test on multiple device sizes
• Verify data relationships maintain integrity

10.2 Progressive Web App Setup

1. Configure PWA settings in Adalo
2. Set app icon and splash screen
3. Enable offline caching for better performance
4. Test installation on mobile devices

Conclusion

While Adalo doesn't support native drag-and-drop functionality, this guide demonstrates how to build a powerful project management tool using Adalo's robust component system and database capabilities. The key to success is focusing on efficient workflows and clear visual organization rather than specific interaction patterns.

Your Trello clone now features:

• Multi-board organization
• Status-based task management
• User collaboration and assignments
• Due date tracking and priorities
• Search and filter capabilities
• Mobile-responsive design

To further enhance your app, explore Adalo's app templates for additional features or consider integrating with external services using Adalo's API capabilities. Remember that the best apps focus on solving user problems effectively, regardless of the specific interactions used.

For more advanced implementations and component details, refer to the Adalo Component Basics guide and the official Adalo YouTube tutorial playlist.

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