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

Building a project management tool like Basecamp from scratch typically requires months of development time, a full engineering team, and significant budget for backend infrastructure, mobile app development, and ongoing maintenance. Most teams simply want a customized workspace that fits their specific workflows—not the complexity of coordinating developers across web, iOS, and Android platforms.

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.

Why Adalo Works for Building a 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 a natural fit for creating a Basecamp-style project management tool, where teams need seamless access across desktop browsers and mobile devices without maintaining separate codebases.

Publishing your project management app to the app stores means team members can receive push notifications for task assignments, message replies, and upcoming deadlines—keeping everyone aligned without constant email checks. With Adalo handling the technical infrastructure, you can focus on designing workflows that match how your team actually works.

This tutorial walks you through creating a functional project management app using Adalo's no-code platform. Adalo also lets you build one app for web, iOS, and Android — including PWA and app store publishing—from a single AI-assisted platform. You’ll replicate Basecamp-style essentials—task management, message boards, file sharing, and simple roles—without writing code.

What Is a Basecamp Clone and Why Build One with a No-Code App Builder

Basecamp combines task tracking, team communication, file sharing, and scheduling into one workspace. Building your own version with Adalo lets you tailor the workflow to your team while keeping data ownership and reducing implementation complexity.

Core Features You’ll Replicate

• To-Do Lists: create, assign, schedule, and track tasks
• Message Boards: threaded team discussions per project
• File Storage: centralized uploads with attribution
• Calendar & Milestones: due dates and key events
• User Roles: simple admin/member permissions

Why Choose No-Code Over Custom Development

No-code tools replace large portions of hand-coding with visual builders and prebuilt integrations. You focus on UX and business rules instead of infrastructure. Timelines and costs vary by team and scope, but many teams find they can validate an MVP far faster than with traditional development.

Set Up Your Adalo Account

Step 1: Create Your Account & App

1. Go to Adalo.com → Sign Up
2. Verify your email, then click Create New App
3. Pick Mobile App or Web App (web is convenient for desktop collaboration)
4. Name your app (e.g., “ProjectHub”) → Start from Scratch

Design Your Database Structure

A clean relational model prevents duplication and makes filtering/permissions easier.

Step 2: Enhance the Users Collection

Add fields (Database → Users → + Add Property):

• Full Name (Text)
• Profile Image (Image)
• User Role (Text) – e.g., Admin, Member
• Department, Job Title, Phone Number (optional)
• Notification Preferences (True/False)

Step 3: Create Projects

Fields:

• Project Name (Text)
• Description (Long Text)
• Status (Text) – Planning, Active, On Hold, Completed
• Start Date, Target End Date, Actual End Date (Date/Time)
• Project Color (Text) for visual tags
• Created Date (Date/Time – Automatic)

Step 4: Create Tasks

Fields:

• Task Name (Text)
• Description (Long Text)
• Priority (Text) – Low, Medium, High, Urgent
• Status (Text) – To Do, In Progress, Review, Done
• Due Date (Date/Time)
• Estimated Hours, Actual Hours (Number)
• Created Date, Completed Date (Date/Time)

Step 5: Create Messages

Fields:

• Message Title (Text)
• Message Body (Long Text)
• Message Type (Text) – Announcement, Discussion, Update
• Is Pinned (True/False)
• Created Date, Edited Date (Date/Time)

Step 6: Create Comments

Fields:

• Comment Text (Long Text)
• Created Date, Edited Date (Date/Time)

Step 7: Create Files

Fields:

• File Name (Text)
• File (File Upload)
• File Type (Text)
• File Size (Number)
• Uploaded Date (Date/Time – Automatic)

Step 8: Add Relationships

Projects

• Project Owner → Users (Many Projects → One User)
• Team Members → Users (Many↔Many)
• Tasks → Tasks (One Project → Many Tasks)
• Messages → Messages (One → Many)
• Files → Files (One → Many)

Tasks

• Project → Projects (Many → One)
• Assigned To → Users (Many → One)
• Created By → Users (Many → One)
• Comments → Comments (One → Many)

Messages

• Project → Projects (Many → One)
• Posted By → Users (Many → One)
• Comments → Comments (One → Many)

Comments

• Optional Task → Tasks (Many → One)
• Optional Message → Messages (Many → One)
• Commenter → Users (Many → One)

Files

• Project → Projects (Many → One)
• Uploaded By → Users (Many → One)

Build Core Screens

Step 9: Welcome / Auth

• Welcome: logo/image, tagline, buttons → Sign Up and Login
• Sign Up: Form (Users) → Email, Password, Full Name, User Role → on submit → Dashboard
• Login: Login form → on submit → Dashboard

Step 10: Dashboard

• Top bar: app name, New Project button, user avatar
• Stats cards:
  
  • Active Projects (Projects where Status = Active)
  • My Open Tasks (Tasks Assigned To = Logged In User AND Status ≠ Done)
  • Overdue Tasks (Due Date < Today AND Status ≠ Done)
  • Completed This Week (Status = Done AND Completed Date within last 7 days)
• Recent Projects list: Team Members contains Logged In User → sort newest first

Step 11: All Projects (Filterable)

• Filters: Status (All/Active/Planning/Completed) + Search by name
• List item: name, status badge, team avatars, progress bar
• Edit/Delete buttons visible only to Admins

Step 12: Project Details

• Header: name, description, status
• Tabs:
  
  • Tasks: list Tasks where Project = Current; group by status; quick “New Task” modal
  • Messages: list Messages (pinned first); open thread view
  • Files: list Files (name/uploader/size/date) with download/delete
  • Team: team roster; admins can add/remove members

Step 13: Task Details

• Inline edit: Task Name, Status, Priority
• Fields: Description, Due Date, Assigned To, Estimated/Actual Hours
• Comments: list + input to add
• Actions: Mark Complete (sets Status=Done & Completed Date), Delete (permissioned)

Create & Manage Tasks (CRUD)

Step 14: New Task Modal

• Form (Tasks): Task Name (required), Description, Priority, Due Date, Assigned To
• On submit:
  
  • Create Task
  • Link to Current Project
  • Set Created By = Logged In User
  • Default Status = “To Do”
  • Close modal & refresh

Step 15: Quick Status & Assignee Updates

• In task rows: Status dropdown → Update Current Task → if Done, set Completed Date = Now
• Assignee dropdown: project team members → Update Assigned To
• Optional drag-and-drop: use a marketplace Kanban component (see below)

Step 16: Conditional Delete

• Show Delete Task only if:
  
  • Logged In User is Admin OR
  • Logged In User = Created By
• Confirm → delete → return to Project

Roles & Permissions

Step 17: Visibility Rules

• Create Project buttons: show if Role = Admin
• Edit Project: show if Role = Admin OR Logged In User = Project Owner
• Delete Project: Admin only
• Task editing: allowed if (Assigned To = Logged In User OR Created By = Logged In User) or Admin override
• Message moderation: users can edit/delete own; Admins (and optionally Project Owner) can pin or moderate any

Step 18: Team Invitations

• In Project → Team tab: Invite Member (select a user) → add to Team Members
• Optional: send in-app or push notification

Integrations & Payments

Step 19: Zapier (Notifications & Automation)

• Enable Zapier
• Useful Zaps:
  
  • New Task → Slack message / Email
  • Task assigned → Email to assignee
  • Due soon → Reminder
  • Project completed → Team summary

Step 20: External Data (Scale with Xano/Airtable)

• Use External Collections
• Backends: Xano, Airtable
• Benefits: larger datasets, custom APIs, advanced queries

Step 21: Stripe (Premium Plans)

• Install Stripe integration
• Add Subscription Plans collection (Plan Name, Price, Features, Stripe Price ID)
• Upgrade screen:
  
  • Display plans → Stripe payment component
  • On success: set user plan; gate premium features via visibility rules

Marketplace Components (Kanban, Calendar)

Step 22: Kanban Board View

• Browse the Marketplace for “Kanban/Board”
• Add to Project Details as an alternative view
• Columns: To Do / In Progress / Review / Done
• Enable drag-and-drop to update Status

Step 23: Calendar / Timeline

• Install a Calendar component
• Show task due dates & milestones
• Click events → open Task Details
• For Gantt-style timelines, use a premium component or external data source and embed the view

Testing & Feedback

Step 24: Preview & Device Testing

• Click Preview in the builder
• For mobile: use the Adalo preview app to scan the QR code and test on a device
• Validate auth flows, permissions, performance, and error states

Step 25: Structured QA

• Auth: sign up, login, reset password
• Projects: create/edit/delete (admin only), add team
• Tasks: create/update/assign/complete/delete
• Messages/Files: post, pin, upload, download, delete
• Permissions: verify role-specific visibility and actions

Step 26: Collect Feedback

• Invite a small pilot group
• Provide tasks (“Create a project and assign 3 tasks”, “Post a message”, “Upload a file”)
• Gather notes via a feedback form or quick interviews
• Prioritize fixes by frequency, severity, and effort

Publishing to Web, iOS, and Android

Step 27: Web App

• On a paid plan with custom domains, open Publishing → Web
• Configure favicon, SEO, and analytics
• Set up custom domain (DNS as instructed; SSL is automatic)
• Domain pricing varies by registrar—check your provider

Step 28: Apple App Store (iOS)

Requirements:

• Apple Developer account ($99/year)
• Icons, screenshots, privacy policy URL, listing metadata

Process:

1. Adalo → Publishing → iOS
2. Upload assets & metadata
3. Generate IPA
4. Upload to App Store Connect (Transporter)
5. Submit for review
   
   • Note: Apple does not guarantee review times; many reviews complete within a few days, but timing varies

More: Adalo iOS publishing

Step 29: Google Play (Android)

Requirements:

• Google Play Developer account (one-time $25)
• Icons, screenshots, privacy policy, content rating

Process:

1. Adalo → Publishing → Android
2. Upload assets & metadata
3. Generate AAB (App Bundle; required for new apps)
4. Upload to Play Console, complete listing & questionnaires
5. Submit for review
   
   • Note: Timelines vary (often a few days, longer for new accounts)

More: Adalo Android publishing

Why Adalo Works Well for Basecamp-Style Project Management

• Built-in relational DB: Users ↔ Projects ↔ Tasks ↔ Messages/Comments ↔ Files — Database help
• Cross-platform publishing: Ship to iOS, Android, and web from one project (verify behavior per platform) — Adalo product
• Marketplace components: Kanban boards, calendars, charts, advanced lists — Marketplace
• Integrations: APIs, webhooks, external data/services — Custom Actions · External Collections

Cost & Resources

• Adalo plans/limits: current details — https://www.adalo.com/pricing
• Stripe fees (optional monetization): vary by region/method; U.S. online cards are typically ~2.9% + $0.30 — https://stripe.com/pricing
• Developer programs: Apple $99/year — https://developer.apple.com/programs/ · Google Play $25 one-time — https://play.google.com/console/about/

Additional Resources

• Adalo Help Center — https://help.adalo.com/
• Adalo Marketplace — https://www.adalo.com/marketplace
• External Collections — https://help.adalo.com/integrations/external-collections-with-apis
• Custom Actions — https://help.adalo.com/integrations/custom-actions
• Optimize Performance — https://help.adalo.com/performance/optimize-app-performance
• Xano Integration — https://www.adalo.com/integrations/xano
• Airtable Integration — https://www.adalo.com/integrations/airtable
• Zapier — https://zapier.com/ · Make — https://www.make.com/
• iOS Publishing — https://www.adalo.com/ios-app-apple-app-store
• Android Publishing — https://www.adalo.com/native-android-app-google-play-store

Note: This Basecamp-style build is a prototype using Adalo’s UI and database. For true real-time collaboration, email-in & advanced notifications, granular/enterprise permissions (SSO/SCIM), Gantt/hill charts, and large-scale file storage, extend with external backends (e.g., Xano), storage (e.g., AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage) via External Collections / Custom Actions, and handle heavy processing server-side. Always test performance on real devices and confirm your privacy/compliance posture (e.g., GDPR/CCPA) before publishing.

FAQ