DK's Magic Forge - Personal Website & Project Booking

Welcome to DK's Magic Forge – a personal site designed to showcase the projects I’m currently working on and offer clients a streamlined way to book my services, track progress, and get high-quality, flexible development.

The Vibe

• Fantasy Magic Forge Theme: Think of a fantasy magic forge where projects are "forged" by your trusty wizard (me). It’s a little bit whimsical, with flair and animations to make the experience enjoyable.
• Personal Branding: This site not only shows off my work, but also gives clients a personal touch – showcasing my skills, personality, and creative process.
• No Corporate Overload: No big corporate jargon, no huge contracts, just clear, simple, and efficient communication.

Project Booking & Terms

Key Features:

• Client-Suggested Hourly Rate: Clients suggest an hourly rate when booking a project, but I will review and potentially adjust based on the project’s scope.
• Booking = To-Do List: When you book a project, it gets added to my to-do list. But this doesn’t guarantee immediate start or commitment yet. We’ll review the scope and finalize details before moving forward.
• Cancellation Freedom: Both the client and I have the freedom to cancel at any time. No retroactive charges, and the client only pays for work already completed.

Payment:

• Hourly Rate Negotiation: Once the project scope is reviewed, we’ll agree on an hourly rate.
• Booking Fee: A small non-refundable booking fee (e.g., €5) ensures the project is added to the to-do list.
• No Work Until Confirmed: Work won’t start until both parties have agreed on the rate, scope, and contract terms.

Freedom for Both Parties:

• Cancellation at Any Time: Either party can pull out of the project without any penalties. The client is only billed for the hours worked up until cancellation.

Test Suite & Bug Fixing:

• Test Suite Option: If the client chooses the test suite option, the project comes with 1 month of free bug fixing after delivery.
• Bug Fixes After Free Period: Bug fixes beyond the free period will be charged at the agreed hourly rate.

Features & Workflow

1. Booking a Project:

   • Client books a project by filling out a form, suggesting an hourly rate.
   • Important: Booking only places the project on the to-do list, but it does not guarantee immediate work. We’ll confirm the rate and scope before starting.

2. Payment:

   • Client suggests an hourly rate when booking the project.
   • Small booking fee: €5 or similar to ensure seriousness, deducted from the total cost once confirmed.

3. Scope & Freedom:

   • The project will be defined in a slim Scope of Work (SFD). No huge contracts. A simple contract with max 5 pages outlining the project details and agreed terms.
   • Freedom for both parties: You can cancel at any time. Only pay for work already completed, and the project can be revised or adjusted as needed.

4. Test Suite:

   • If you want a test suite for your project, it’s available as an option. The test suite includes 1 month of free bug fixing. Without it, the free bug fix period is reduced to 14 days.

5. No Liability:

   • I will provide you with a product you can test and use. After that, you’re free to use the code as you see fit. I am not liable for any indirect damages.
   • The bug fixing period does not extend beyond the agreed-upon period unless a new issue arises during testing.

Project Scope:

• I work with a flexible tech stack: Clojure, Rust, Ruby, Python, etc.
• You can book cross-platform web or app projects. The project can range from MVPs to more advanced custom builds.
• Customizable features: Want to make your project open-source and / or stream the development? You’ll get a discount (e.g., 10%).

Pricing:

• The max price for an MVP is agreed upon upfront. Any changes to the scope will result in a new agreement, and the price can go higher.
• Hourly rate is negotiated based on the project complexity. Once we finalize the project scope, we both sign off on the contract. I can demand a higher hour rate, when I see fit.

Key Decisions & Policies:

1. Client Communication: We’ll use email, Discord, or similar to communicate during the project.
2. Payment System: The client will pay for the project via direct transfer (minimize fees). The initial fee for booking will be made by stripe, to make booking simple.
3. Open Source Projects: If you agree to make the project open source, you get a 10% discount. I’ll also maybe sometimes stream the development, and you’ll get to follow the progress in real-time.
4. Flexibility: Both parties can cancel at any time. If I go on vacation or a project is on hold, no retroactive charges are applied.

Minimal, Simple Contracts:

• All contracts are short and sweet, no 1000-page documents. The contract will cover:
  • Scope of Work
  • Payment Terms
  • Bug Fixing
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Ownership of Code
  • Liability Limitations
  • Test Suite Option
  • Termination Clause

The "No SFD" Approach:

• Projects are based on functional parameters and goals. You don’t need a full spec document or exhaustive details. The focus is on delivering value, not on strict specifications.

AI Lookover

Maybe also use AI to simplify the projet details made by the client and check if the project plan is feasible (time, money, scope, etc.)

Working Process:

1. You book the project and suggest an hourly rate.
2. I review the project, confirm the rate and scope, then proceed.
3. We sign a simple contract, and I start working on your project.
4. You can cancel at any time, and pay only for the work completed.
5. Optional Test Suite available for an extra charge, with 1-month bug fixing included.

Functionality of DK's Magic Forge Website

Key Features and Functionalities:

1. Project Booking System:

   • Booking Form: Clients can fill out a booking form to suggest their preferred hourly rate and provide project details (name, description, tech stack, etc.).
   • Client Communication: Clients can contact you via email or Discord. A clear communication channel for any queries, project updates, and feedback.
   • Booking Confirmation: After booking, the project is added to your to-do list, but both you and the client will review the scope, rate, and contract terms before finalizing the project.

2. Project Overview Page:

   • Project List: A list of all active and past projects, with status (e.g., ongoing, completed, canceled) and project details.
   • Clickable Project Cards: Each project card is clickable, leading to the detailed project page where more information is provided.

3. Project Details Page:

   • Detailed Scope: Displays project name, description, tech stack, current progress, and hourly rate (negotiable).
   • Project Tracking: Shows hours worked, remaining budget, and project milestones.
   • Contract & Documents: Upload and link essential documents like contracts, invoices, and PDFs generated via Typst (e.g., Scope of Work, invoices, project terms).
   • Test Suite Option: Clients can choose to add a test suite to the project, and it will be noted on the project page.

4. Payment and Booking Fee:

   • Direct Payment Details: Clients can see payment details for direct bank transfer (no cuts from payment systems).
   • Booking Fee: Clear information on the small non-refundable booking fee required to confirm a project in the to-do list.
   • Payment Tracking: Integration for tracking payments made, remaining balance, and milestone payments.

5. Freedom to Cancel:

   • Cancellation Option: Both you and the client can cancel projects easily through the site. No retroactive charges – work is billed only for hours completed.

6. Notifications:

   • Client Updates: Clients should receive notifications when their project is added to the to-do list, and when major milestones or changes happen.
   • Payment Status Updates: Clients are informed when payments are made and when projects enter testing or the bug-fixing period.

7. Open Source Projects:

   • Open Source Flag: If a project is open-source, it will be highlighted and available for streaming (with a 10% discount for the client).
   • Public GitHub Repositories: Clients can see the code development in real time on GitHub (if the project is open-source).

TODO

• add 404.html
• stripe payments
• contact captcha
• auth + role based security
• infos like email, discord (for paying clients)
• notification emails on important events