vibecodeit

Build Attio

KINDAreplaces $44/mosaves $528/yrback to the verdict

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Saved on this device only. Tick prerequisites first, then work the phases in order · do not start one until the checks above it pass.

Build a flexible contact workspace with explicit duplicate merging.

estimated effort multi-daythe files for this build are in the project pack

RuntimePython 3.12+ and FlaskStorageSQLite through Python sqlite3InterfaceJinja HTML templates, CSS and vanilla JavaScriptVerificationPython unittest and browser acceptance fixtures

Before step 1

Everything below is assumed from the first step. Tick each one when you actually have it, not when you plan to.

  1. installPython is free; this local prototype requires no hosting subscription.

    Why The local backend, tests and storage use Python.

    Get it Install Python from python.org. Open a terminal in a new empty project folder. On Windows, use py -3 where this guide says python if python is not on PATH; on macOS/Linux use python3 if needed. Create .venv and activate it before installing packages. open ↗

    Verify python --version reports 3.12+ and python -c "import sqlite3" succeeds.

  2. installNo paid service required for this local step.

    Why You need to view the local interface and edit generated project files.

    Get it Use an installed Chrome, Firefox or Edge browser. Open the empty project folder in your editor; open the terminal there, not in this catalog repository.

    Verify You can create a text file in the project folder and open browser developer tools.

  3. have readyNo paid service required for this local step.

    Why This fixture makes the first end-to-end check reproducible.

    Get it Create synthetic sample data before implementation: Two contacts with the same normalized email, different notes, and one company. Save it under fixtures/ with the expected results in fixtures/README.md; use no real credentials or customer records.

    Verify The fixture files and expected outcomes exist and can be inspected without a vendor account.

  4. decideNo paid service required for this local step.

    Why The full commercial product is larger than this guide.

    Get it The deliverable is a flexible contact workspace with explicit duplicate merging. Read every exclusion below. Indie mode runs locally; any public or shared use requires the product access and deployment gates first.

    Verify You can name the primary workflow and the vendor features this version deliberately leaves out.

Data model

Create these before the first phase that stores anything. Changing a table later is the expensive kind of change.

- people(id,name,email,company_id,attributes_json)
- companies(id,name,domain)
- interactions(id,person_id,at,type,note)
- lists(id,name,filters_json)
- next_actions(id,person_id,due_date,done)
- Use stable ids and explicit relationships; add auxiliary tables named by the phases before those phases use them.
- Acceptance fixture: Two contacts with the same normalized email, different notes, and one company.

Environment variables

These go in a .env file the app reads at startup. The pack's .env.example is this table as a file · copy it, never commit the filled-in version.

VariableNeededExampleWhere the value comes from
DATA_DIRrequired./data/attioA new private folder this application creates on first run; never serve it as static files.
SECRET_KEYsecretrequiredreplace-with-a-random-secretGenerate with python -c "import secrets; print(secrets.token_hex(32))" and save only in .env.
APP_MODErequiredindieUse indie for loopback-only personal work. Product mode must refuse to start until owner login and the deployment gates are configured.
SITE_URLrequiredhttp://127.0.0.1:5000The origin used for local forms and links; replace with the chosen HTTPS origin in product mode.

The build, in order

  1. Local foundation and data contract

    Create the runnable local foundation for a flexible contact workspace with explicit duplicate merging, including the real schema and acceptance fixture.

    1. Run the venv command first, then stop and activate it before running the remaining commands. Use your OS instructions: Windows .venv\Scripts\activate.bat in cmd, or .venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1 in PowerShell; macOS/Linux source .venv/bin/activate. Then install the listed packages. Create app.py exposing app, load .env with python-dotenv, and add a /healthz route. Freeze tested dependency versions to requirements.txt. Create .env manually from .env.example; replace SECRET_KEY before launch.

      Files app.pyrequirements.txt.env.example.gitignore

      terminal
      python -m venv .venv
python -m pip install Flask Flask-WTF python-dotenv waitress tzdata
python -m pip freeze > requirements.txt
python -m flask --app app run --host 127.0.0.1

    2. For database-backed state create schema.sql and db.py using this model: people(id,name,email,company_id,attributes_json); companies(id,name,domain); interactions(id,person_id,at,type,note); lists(id,name,filters_json); next_actions(id,person_id,due_date,done). Add the auxiliary relationships explicitly used in later phases; use stable ids, foreign keys, parameterized values and transactions. For canonical files use atomic replacement and hashes instead. Implement python manage.py init and python manage.py seed to create only synthetic data: Two contacts with the same normalized email, different notes, and one company. Re-running init must not erase data.

      Files schema.sqldb.pymanage.pyfixtures/README.md

      terminal
      python manage.py init
python manage.py seed

    3. Install Flask-WTF CSRF protection for forms and same-origin fetches, validate Host and Origin against SITE_URL, bound inputs and escape output. Deliberately public intake endpoints get bounded validation and rate limits; signed provider webhooks use signature checks instead of browser CSRF tokens. All other admin routes stay local until product authentication exists. When a later phase tests viewer/member permissions, implement the users, hashed passwords, expiring server sessions and role checks in this foundation first; product mode must never use a fabricated identity from request input. Add error, empty, keyboard-focus and retry states now.

      Files app.pytemplates/base.htmltest/test_foundation.py

    done when · tick each as it passes
    watch out
    • The Flask development server is for local development only. Loopback binding alone does not replace CSRF and origin validation.
    next phase

  2. Contacts and field mapping

    Contacts and field mapping for Attio: Create people and companies with custom text fields; normalize email for comparison while preserving its display spelling.

    1. Create people and companies with custom text fields; normalize email for comparison while preserving its display spelling.

      Files features/contacts_and_field_mapping.pytemplates/contacts_and_field_mapping.html

    2. Preview CSV mapping and duplicate candidates; allow skip, create or explicit merge rather than silently guessing identity.

      Files features/contacts_and_field_mapping.py

    3. Use Two contacts with the same normalized email, different notes, and one company. Check: Importing the fixture suggests one duplicate pair and writes nothing until confirmed. Then check: Two people with the same name but different emails remain separate. Add a focused regression for the failure case under test/ using a temporary database or folder and fake external services; also perform the visible workflow in a browser.

      Files test/test_contacts_and_field_mapping.py

      terminal
      python -m unittest discover -s test
    done when · tick each as it passes
    watch out
    • Email is a useful duplicate signal, not proof that every contact belongs to the same person.
    next phase

  3. Merge and interaction timeline

    Merge and interaction timeline for Attio: Implement a merge preview showing the winning field values and all interactions that will move to the survivor.

    1. Implement a merge preview showing the winning field values and all interactions that will move to the survivor.

      Files features/merge_and_interaction_timeline.pytemplates/merge_and_interaction_timeline.html

    2. Commit the merge and a before-state audit record atomically; preserve company links and next actions.

      Files features/merge_and_interaction_timeline.py

    3. Use Two contacts with the same normalized email, different notes, and one company. Check: Merging the pair leaves one contact with both notes and both original ids in the audit. Then check: An interrupted merge rolls back without losing either record. Add a focused regression for the failure case under test/ using a temporary database or folder and fake external services; also perform the visible workflow in a browser.

      Files test/test_merge_and_interaction_timeline.py

      terminal
      python -m unittest discover -s test
    done when · tick each as it passes
    watch out
    • Do not discard conflicting values just because one row is newer.
    next phase

  4. Saved segments and next actions

    Saved segments and next actions for Attio: Save filters over company and custom fields; validate field ids whenever a view is opened.

    1. Save filters over company and custom fields; validate field ids whenever a view is opened.

      Files features/saved_segments_and_next_actions.pytemplates/saved_segments_and_next_actions.html

    2. Build a due-next-action inbox with snooze and completion and a contact timeline of manual interactions.

      Files features/saved_segments_and_next_actions.py

    3. Use Two contacts with the same normalized email, different notes, and one company. Check: Completing an action removes it from the inbox but leaves its dated history. Then check: Changing a contact field updates its membership in a saved segment. Add a focused regression for the failure case under test/ using a temporary database or folder and fake external services; also perform the visible workflow in a browser.

      Files test/test_saved_segments_and_next_actions.py

      terminal
      python -m unittest discover -s test
    done when · tick each as it passes
    watch out
    • Automatic enrichment and mailbox sync are outside this manually maintained address book.
    next phase

  5. Portable delivery and clean-start proof

    Finish the Attio replacement with a documented first-run path and a recoverable export.

    1. Document prerequisites, every configuration variable, data locations and the three domain workflows: Contacts and field mapping; Merge and interaction timeline; Saved segments and next actions. Include the exclusions, actual costs and source check date 2026-09-05. Commands shown earlier that reference project files are files the builder must implement before running them.

      Files README.md.env.example

    2. Use sqlite3.Connection.backup for the database in DATA_DIR and pause writers while taking the matching attachment snapshot. Keep schema version, hashes and a manifest for attio. Restore into a separate empty directory or isolated deployment, with all outbound actions and schedules disabled. Recreate this proof: Two contacts with the same normalized email, different notes, and one company. Compare ids/counts and open the result before recording the restore date. Never test a restore over the only live copy.

      Files OPERATIONS.mdscripts/backup.py

    3. Use a new folder and only README instructions to reach the fixture outcome. Install from requirements.txt, initialize storage, run the tests and exercise the UI at 375px and 1280px; use keyboard-only controls and inspect browser errors. Record exactly what passed; do not mark unrun checks complete.

      Files README.mdverification.md

      terminal
      python -m pip install -r requirements.txt
python -m unittest discover -s test
    done when · tick each as it passes
    watch out
    • Export without an import or restore rehearsal is not verified portability.
what this build does not replace
after v1, if you want it

Need the files? The project pack on the verdict page hands your agent the whole brief · more crm.