Trapper Keeper
Rails SPA Address Book Application
Project Overview
Trapper Keeper is a single-page application built with Ruby on Rails that provides users with a comprehensive CRUD-style address book for managing their personal and professional contacts. The application emphasizes simplicity and user experience while demonstrating full-stack development capabilities.
Problem Statement
Many people struggle to keep track of their contacts across multiple platforms and devices. Traditional address books are either too complex for casual users or lack the flexibility needed for organizing diverse contact information. There was a need for a simple, web-based solution that could be accessed from anywhere.
Target Audience
Individuals and small business owners who need a straightforward way to organize and manage their personal and professional contacts without the complexity of enterprise CRM systems.
Key Features
- Full CRUD operations for contact management
- Responsive design that works on desktop and mobile
- Search and filter functionality for quick contact lookup
- Clean, intuitive user interface
- Secure user authentication and data protection
- Export functionality for contact backup
Technical Stack
Frontend
Backend
Database
Tools & DevOps
Architecture & Technical Decisions
System Architecture
The application follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern typical of Rails applications. The frontend is a single-page application that communicates with the Rails backend through RESTful API endpoints. PostgreSQL handles data persistence, while the application is deployed on Fly.io for reliable hosting.
Key Trade-offs
- Chose Rails over lighter frameworks for rapid development and built-in conventions
- Used PostgreSQL instead of SQLite for production scalability
- Implemented server-side rendering for better SEO over pure client-side SPA
- Prioritized functionality over advanced UI animations to meet MVP timeline
Development Process
Timeline
3 months from initial concept to production deployment
Key Challenges
- • Implementing efficient search functionality across multiple contact fields
- • Ensuring responsive design works seamlessly across different screen sizes
- • Managing database relationships and ensuring data integrity
- • Optimizing application performance for larger contact lists
Key Learnings
- Rails conventions significantly speed up development when followed properly
- Database indexing is crucial for search performance as data grows
- User testing revealed the importance of intuitive navigation patterns
- Proper error handling and user feedback improve overall user experience
Results & Impact
Key Metrics
User Feedback
Simple and effective. Finally, an address book that doesn't overwhelm me with features I don't need.
The search functionality is fast and intuitive. I can find any contact in seconds.
Love that I can access my contacts from anywhere. The mobile experience is surprisingly good.
Future Improvements
- Integration with popular email providers for contact import
- Advanced tagging and categorization system
- Contact sharing and collaboration features
- Mobile app for offline access
- Analytics dashboard for contact management insights
Interested in Learning More?
I'd love to discuss this project and my development process in more detail.