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

This comprehensive tutorial will guide you through creating a fully functional project management application using Adalo's no-code platform. You'll build core features including project creation, task management, team collaboration, and progress tracking—all without writing a single line of code.

What Is a ClickUp Clone and Why Build One with No-Code?

A ClickUp clone is a custom-built project management app that replicates the core functionality of popular productivity tools like ClickUp, Asana, or Trello. At its foundation, project management software provides task creation and assignment, progress tracking, deadline monitoring, resource allocation, and team collaboration tools.

Core Features Every Project Management Clone Needs

Building your own project management solution allows you to tailor features specifically for your team's workflow. Essential features include:

• Task Management: Create, edit, assign, and track tasks with customizable properties
• Project Organization: Group related tasks into projects with hierarchical structures
• Team Collaboration: Commenting, file sharing, and activity feeds
• Visual Workflows: Kanban boards, list views, and calendar displays
• Status Tracking: Customizable task statuses matching your team's processes
• Notifications: Updates for assignments, mentions, and upcoming deadlines

Benefits of Building vs. Buying Project Management Software

Organizations increasingly adopt low-code/no-code to speed delivery and control costs. Building your own project management app offers:

• Complete customization to match specific workflows
• Potential cost savings vs. per-seat subscriptions at scale
• Data ownership with full control over your information
• Faster iteration based on direct user feedback without vendor dependencies

Choosing the Best No-Code App Builder for Project Management Clones

When selecting a platform, consider cross-platform capabilities, database flexibility, and deployment options. Adalo stands out for project management applications because it supports responsive web apps and native mobile builds.

Adalo vs. Bubble for Project Management Apps

While Bubble excels at complex web applications, Adalo offers distinct advantages for project management tools:

• Native mobile publishing: Deploy directly to iOS and Android app stores
• Responsive design: Interfaces adapt across devices
• Integrated database: Relational collections with common field types
• Component marketplace: A large and growing marketplace for extended functionality
• True WYSIWYG: What you design is what users experience

Why Adalo Excels at Cross-Platform Publishing

Adalo enables publishing to web, Apple App Store, and Google Play from one project. This is essential for project management apps where teams need access from desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Always verify platform-specific behaviors and submission requirements.

Setting Up Your Adalo Account and Project Foundation

Step 1: Create Your Adalo Account

1. Navigate to Adalo.com and click Sign Up
2. Create your account via email or Google
3. Verify your email address
4. Start on the Free tier (ideal for development and testing; check current limits on the pricing page)

Step 2: Initialize Your Project Management App

1. Click Create New App from your dashboard
2. Name your app (e.g., TaskFlow or ProjectHub)
3. Choose Mobile App (you can also publish to web later)
4. Select Start from Scratch
5. Click Create App to enter the builder

Step 3: Configure Your App Theme

1. Select a primary color that represents productivity (blue, purple, or green work well)
2. Choose a complementary secondary color for call-to-action buttons
3. Pick a clean, readable font (e.g., Roboto or Inter)
4. These theme settings apply across screens for consistency

Understanding Adalo's Interface and Navigation

• Left Sidebar: Screens, components, database
• Center Canvas: Visual editor
• Right Panel: Properties, styling, actions
• Top Bar: Preview, publish, settings

For plan limits and features, see Adalo’s pricing page.

Designing the Relational Database for Task and Project Management

Proper database architecture determines scalability and functionality. Project management databases require interconnected collections for users, projects, tasks, and related entities.

Step 4: Enhance the Users Collection

1. Click the Database icon
2. Select Users
3. Add properties:

• Full Name (Text)
• Profile Image (Image)
• Role (Text) – e.g., Admin, Manager, Member, Viewer
• Department (Text)
• Job Title (Text)
• Phone Number (Text)
• Status (Text) – e.g., Active, Away, Busy, Offline)

Step 5: Create the Projects Collection

1. + Add Collection → Projects
2. Add properties:

• Project Name (Text)
• Description (Long Text)
• Project Status (Text) – Planning, Active, On Hold, Completed, Archived
• Priority (Text) – Low, Medium, High, Critical
• Start Date (Date)
• Due Date (Date)
• Completion Date (Date)
• Progress Percentage (Number)
• Color Tag (Text)
• Created Date (Date & Time – Automatic)

Step 6: Create the Tasks Collection

1. + Add Collection → Tasks
2. Add properties:

• Task Name (Text)
• Description (Long Text)
• Status (Text) – To Do, In Progress, Review, Completed, Blocked
• Priority (Text) – Low, Medium, High, Urgent
• Due Date (Date & Time)
• Estimated Hours (Number)
• Actual Hours (Number)
• Completion Percentage (Number)
• Tags (Text)
• Created Date (Date & Time – Automatic)
• Completed Date (Date & Time)

Step 7: Create the Comments Collection

1. + Add Collection → Comments
2. Add properties:

• Comment Text (Long Text)
• Created Date (Date & Time – Automatic)
• Edited Date (Date & Time)
• Is Edited (True/False)

Step 8: Create the Attachments Collection

1. + Add Collection → Attachments
2. Add properties:

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

Setting Up Relationships Between Tasks and Projects

Create relationships so your UI can filter and connect data correctly:

Projects:

• Project Owner → One User
• Team Members → Many Users (Many-to-Many)
• Project Tasks → Many Tasks

Tasks:

• Parent Project → One Project
• Assigned To → One User
• Created By → One User
• Parent Task → One Task (optional, for subtasks)
• Subtasks → Many Tasks
• Task Comments → Many Comments
• Task Attachments → Many Attachments

Comments:

• Comment Author → One User
• Related Task → One Task

Attachments:

• Uploaded By → One User
• Related Task → One Task

Learn more about externalizing data via External Collections.

Building the Project Dashboard Screen with Drag-and-Drop Components

Step 9: Create the Main Dashboard Screen

1. Rename Home to Dashboard
2. Add a Top Bar:

• App logo (left)
• Notification bell (links to notifications screen)
• Profile avatar (links to settings)

Step 10: Build the Project List View

1. Add a List (Projects)
2. Filter: Team Members contains Logged In User
3. Sort: Due Date (Soonest First)
4. List item UI:

• Project Name (prominent)
• Description (secondary)
• Progress Bar (Progress Percentage)
• Due Date (“Due in X days”)
• Status badge (color-coded)

Step 11: Add Search and Filter Functionality

1. Add a Text Input above the list:

• Placeholder: “Search projects…”
• Filter where Project Name contains input

2. Add filter buttons:

• All, Active, Completed
• Each updates the list filter

Marketplace options: Explore the Component Marketplace for advanced list/cards/Kanban components.

Step 12: Create the “New Project” Button

1. Add a Floating Action Button (FAB) with “+”
2. Link to Create Project screen

Creating Task Management Workflows and Actions

Step 13: Build the Create Project Screen

1. Create Project screen
2. Form (Projects) with:

• Project Name, Description, Status, Priority, Start/Due Dates, Color Tag

3. Team selection:

• List of Users with checkboxes → write to Team Members

4. On submit:

• Set Project Owner = Logged In User
• Navigate to Project Detail

Step 14: Create the Project Detail Screen

1. Accept Current Project param
2. Header:

• Project Name, Description, Progress, Status/Priority, Due Date

3. Tabs:

• Tasks (default), Team, Activity

Building a Kanban Board View

A Kanban visualization enhances workflow clarity:

1. Create Board View screen
2. Horizontal List for status columns (To Do, In Progress, Review, Completed)
3. Inside each column, Vertical List (Tasks):

• Filter: Status = Column Status AND Parent Project = Current Project

4. Task cards show: Name, Priority, Assignee, Due Date, counts
5. Add + Add Task per column (pre-sets status)

Step 15: Create the Task Detail Screen

1. Task Detail screen
2. Show:

• Task Name (editable), Description (editable)
• Status & Priority (dropdowns)
• Due Date (picker), Estimated/Actual Hours
• Assigned To (user selector)

3. Quick actions:

• Mark Complete, Add Comment, Attach File, Create Subtask

Setting Up Task Assignment and Notifications

• On assignment:
  
  • Send notification to Assigned User
  • Body: “[Task] in [Project]”
• On status change:
  
  • Notify Task Creator or Project Owner

See: Announcements & Notifications

Step 16: Build the Comments Section

1. List (Comments) where Related Task = Current Task
2. Sort by Created Date (Newest First)
3. Show: Author image/name, relative time, comment text
4. Input: Text Area + Post Comment → creates Comment tied to Task

Automating Status Changes with Custom Actions

• When Completion Percentage = 100%:
  
  • Set Status = Completed, set Completed Date, update Project Progress
• When all tasks completed:
  
  • Set Project Status = Completed, notify owner

Implementing User Roles, Permissions, and Collaboration Features

Step 17: Configure Role-Based Access Control

Admin

• Full access to projects/tasks, manage users, app settings

Manager

• Create/assign projects, edit within owned projects, view reports

Member

• View assigned projects, create/edit own tasks, comment

Viewer

• Read-only access to invited projects

Implement in UI: Use conditional visibility based on Logged In User → Role and Current Project → Team Members.

Step 18: Build the Team Management Screen

1. Team Directory screen
2. Search input + List of Users
3. Show: Avatar, Name, Department, Role, Status
4. “Invite Team Member” (Admin/Manager)

Screen-level permissions: In Visible To, add conditions (e.g., Admin-only screens).

Integrating External Tools: Zapier, Stripe, and Custom APIs

Step 19: Set Up Zapier Integration for Workflow Automation

Zapier + Adalo connects to thousands of apps.

Examples:

• New Task → Slack message
• Completed Project → Email summary
• New Comment → Append to Google Sheet
• Calendar Event → Create Task

Step 20: Add Payment Processing with Stripe Components

1. Install Stripe integration
2. Add Stripe credentials in Settings
3. Create Subscription Plans collection (Plan Name, Price, Features, Stripe Price ID)

Step 21: Build the Subscription Screen

1. Upgrade Plan screen
2. List plans + Subscribe button
3. Stripe Payment component
4. On success: update User plan, store payment record, notify user

External databases: Consider Xano or Airtable via External Collections when you need advanced scale or querying.

Designing Responsive Web and Mobile Interfaces

Step 22: Implement Mobile-First Design Principles

Touch-Friendly Targets

• Aim for minimum ~44×44 for tappable elements
• Adequate spacing; large list items; swipe gestures for quick actions

Visual Hierarchy

• Emphasize primary actions; use color-coded status badges

Simplified Navigation

• Bottom navigation for main sections
• Clear back buttons; breadcrumbs for deeper flows
• Pull-to-refresh on lists (if applicable)

Creating Mobile-Optimized Task Views

• Place key actions within thumb reach
• Progressive disclosure: essentials in list; details on tap
• Use overflow menus for advanced options

Step 23: Configure Responsive Web Layout

Use Adalo’s responsive layout controls (constraints & containers):

1. Toggle Mobile/Desktop views while building
2. Desktop:

• Multi-column layouts
• Sidebars for filters/navigation
• Keyboard shortcuts for power users

3. Visibility rules:

• Hide dense elements on mobile
• Expand details on desktop

Ensuring Consistency Across Web and Native Apps

• Test on physical devices
• Use relative positioning via constraints/containers
• Respect platform conventions (iOS vs. Android)

Applying Custom Branding and Fonts

Custom branding is available on paid plans—see pricing:

1. Upload logo
2. Choose fonts
3. Apply spacing, margins, and color palette
4. Remove “Made with Adalo” branding (plan-dependent)

Testing Your Project Management App and Managing Data Limits

Step 24: Test Core Functionality Systematically

Scenarios to validate:

• Registration & login (different roles)
• Project creation, team assignment, permissions
• Task CRUD, status transitions, notifications
• Comments & attachments
• Search/filter/sort flows

Using the Free Tier for Development and Testing

The Free tier is ideal for prototyping. Create varied test data (users, projects, tasks, comments, attachments). For the latest plan limits, see Adalo pricing.

Understanding Record and Storage Limits by Plan

Plan names, limits, and features can change. Avoid hard-coding numbers—review the current matrix at adalo.com/pricing.

Step 25: Performance Testing with Realistic Data

• 100+ tasks per project
• Measure list loading/search/filter latency
• Verify pagination or “Load More” patterns
• Confirm attachment previews and downloads

Monitoring App Performance and Uptime

Check App Settings → Analytics for usage/engagement. For platform performance, see Adalo’s performance page. Replace hard-number claims with the latest official guidance.

Publishing Your ClickUp Clone to Web, iOS, and Android

Step 26: Prepare for Web Publishing

1. Choose domain strategy:

• Adalo subdomain: yourapp.adalo.com
• Custom domain (Starter+)

2. Configure:

• Favicon, page title, meta description, SEO
• Analytics (optional)

Custom domains: In Publishing, set domain and follow DNS steps; SSL is automatic. Domain pricing varies by registrar.

Step 27: Submit to Apple App Store

Prerequisites:

• Apple Developer account ($99/year)
• Required assets (icons, screenshots), privacy policy URL

Process:

1. In Adalo: Publishing → iOS
2. Upload assets & metadata
3. Generate build, download IPA
4. Upload via Transporter to App Store Connect
5. Submit for review (timelines vary)

Learn more: iOS app publishing.

Submitting to Google Play

Requirements:

• Google Play Developer account (one-time $25)

Process:

1. In Adalo: Publishing → Android
2. Upload assets & metadata
3. Generate AAB (App Bundle)
4. Upload to Play Console
5. Complete content rating & listing
6. Submit for review (timelines vary)

Learn more: Android publishing.

Scaling Your App: Upgrading Plans and Adding Features

When to Upgrade from Free to Paid Plans

Upgrade when you need:

• Custom domains/branding
• Higher record/storage limits
• App store publishing
• Team collaboration (additional editors)
• Custom integrations or priority support

Step 28: Choose Your Production Plan

Plan details and pricing change over time. Compare tiers and feature gating at:

• Adalo Pricing
• Plan Comparisons

Select based on team size, publishing needs, integration requirements, and budget.

Adding More Published Apps and Editors

Most plans offer add-ons for more apps, collaborator seats, storage, and support. See the current options on the pricing pages.

Why Adalo is the Right Choice for Building Your Project Management App

Adalo combines visual building with relational data, native publishing, and an active ecosystem—ideal for project management tools.

• True Cross-Platform Publishing
  Build once, ship to web, iOS, and Android from a single project, with platform-specific testing and submissions. See: Publishing overview.
• Visual Development Without Compromise
  Drag components, style visually, and wire actions without code—while still supporting complex relationships, permissions, and workflows.
• Built-in Relational Database
  Adalo’s collections model supports tasks ↔ projects ↔ users ↔ comments/attachments without external setup. Extend with External Collections when needed.
• Component Marketplace Ecosystem
  The Adalo marketplace offers a wide range of components (e.g., Kanban boards, charts, calendars) to accelerate builds.
• Flexible Integration Options
  Connect to Zapier, Xano, Airtable, Stripe, and more—so your app fits into existing workflows.
• Transparent, Scalable Pricing
  Start free for development and upgrade when you’re ready to launch. Always confirm current plan details at adalo.com/pricing.

Additional Resources

• Adalo Publishing — https://www.adalo.com/features/publishing
• Adalo Pricing & Plans — https://www.adalo.com/pricing · https://www.adalo.com/plans
• Adalo Marketplace — https://www.adalo.com/marketplace
• External Collections — https://www.adalo.com/features/external-collections
• Zapier Integration — https://www.adalo.com/integrations/zapier
• Xano Integration — https://www.adalo.com/integrations/xano
• Airtable Integration — https://www.adalo.com/integrations/airtable
• Apple Developer Program — https://developer.apple.com/programs/
• Google Play Console — https://play.google.com/console/about/
• Adalo iOS Publishing — https://www.adalo.com/ios-app-apple-app-store
• Adalo Android Publishing — https://www.adalo.com/native-android-app-google-play-store

‍Note: This ClickUp-style build is a prototype using Adalo’s UI and database. For enterprise-grade features (e.g., true real-time collaboration, complex reporting, very large datasets, advanced security/compliance), integrate external services (e.g., Xano, Airtable) via External Collections / Custom Actions and handle heavy processing server-side. Always performance-test on real devices, verify current plan limits/pricing, and review your data-privacy posture (e.g., GDPR/CCPA) before publishing.