Building Productivity Tools That Actually Work

We partnered to create a time tracking and habit building application designed around how teams actually work. Rather than forcing rigid productivity systems, we built Ripple to adapt to natural work patterns and provide genuine insights into productivity habits.

The Challenge

Existing time tracking tools often don’t fit how creative and development teams work. Most systems assume structured workflows that don’t match the reality of project-based work with varying intensity and creative cycles. We needed to build something that:

• Adapts to natural work patterns rather than forcing rigid time blocks
• Provides meaningful insights without overwhelming users with data
• Works seamlessly across devices with real-time synchronization
• Focuses on building better habits rather than just tracking time
• Stays out of the way during focused work sessions

Our Approach

We designed Ripple from the ground up, prioritizing user experience and practical functionality over complex feature sets. The goal was creating a tool that teams would actually want to use daily, not just install and abandon.

Technology Stack

React + Tailwind CSS We built a clean, responsive interface using React for component architecture and Tailwind CSS for rapid, consistent styling. This combination delivered a modern interface that works seamlessly across devices.

Supabase Backend Real-time data synchronization was essential for a tool used across multiple devices. Supabase provided the backend infrastructure to sync activity instantly, ensuring users always have up-to-date information whether working on desktop or mobile.

Rapid Prototyping We started with rapid prototyping to validate the core concept quickly, then refined the experience based on real usage patterns. This approach ensured we built features that actually matter rather than assuming what users need.

Key Features

Productivity Tools That Adapt

The application includes several core features designed around practical productivity:

• Focus Sessions - Intuitive time tracking that adapts to natural work flows without forcing rigid time blocks
• Project Analytics - Visual insights into productivity patterns across different types of work
• Habit Tracking - Simple tools that track consistency without being overwhelming
• Activity Overview - Daily and weekly views that show actual work patterns
• Real-time Sync - Instant data synchronization across all devices
• Clean Interface - Minimal design that stays out of the way during focused work

Results

Ripple demonstrates how productivity tools can work when they’re designed around how people actually work rather than theoretical productivity systems. The application provides genuine value through practical insights and habit building, not complex dashboards or overwhelming analytics.

• Clean, intuitive interface that teams want to use daily
• Real-time synchronization that works seamlessly across devices
• Practical insights into actual work patterns
• Foundation for building better productivity habits
• Rapid development approach that validated concepts quickly

The Partnership Approach

This project shows how we approach tool building—focusing on solving real problems rather than adding features. By starting with rapid prototyping and iterating based on actual usage, we created something that genuinely serves its purpose rather than just checking boxes on a feature list.