Dev Blog
- 16
- October
- 2025
Connecting the Pieces: Calendar, Routines, and More
The app continues to take shape as more pieces come together and existing flows are refined.
The calendar has now been fully integrated wherever needed right now across the app – whether for journal entries or activities – along with all related functionality for each. New builds were recently released for testing on both platforms, continuing the steady testing cycle.
Both the morning and evening routine screens now connect through to the “category” screen, which in turn leads to the an activities screen. Here you can see activities filtered down accordingly and eventually we will add the tracking and goal here too. But for now this dynamically displays the correct set of activities depending on the selected category and time of day, helping bring the daily flow to life.
Over the past week, I’ve been focused on the forgot/reset password flow, finalizing the last details before I push the next app release out for testing. After I will focus on integrating push notifications. Finally implementing and getting in all that work and research I did a while ago! I have started the set up on the different platforms and planning.
Each update ties the app together more tightly – getting it closer to the full experience we’ve been aiming for.
More updates to come soon!
– Megan
- 29
- September
- 2025
From Routines to Releases: The Latest Progress
The app continues to move steadily toward full functionality, with several key updates completed since the last post.
Implementation of routines on the client landing screen is now complete, providing a clear and structured view of daily activities. This section of the screen displays scheduled activities grouped by morning, afternoon, and evening, giving clients an easy way to see their day at a glance. Coaches can also now set activity status, marking which activities are currently active for a client. On the journaling side, users can now edit and delete entries, giving them more flexibility and control.
Google Internal Testing has now been set up. Beta testing is now running on both iOS and Android, with test releases available for both platforms. Meanwhile, the design team has been busy filling in any gaps in app flow, ensuring a smoother and more cohesive user experience.
I’ve also finalized a solution for push notifications on both iOS and Android, bringing us much closer to full reminder functionality. It’s not in the app yet, but the approach is clear.
Currently, I’m focused on filling in the calendar wherever needed in the app, having just finished reviewing and updating it’s functionality. Each of these steps brings the app closer to a polished, fully functional release.
More progress is on the way!
– Megan
- 05
- September
- 2025
From Fixes to Testing and New Features
The past stretch has been all about refinement, testing, and pushing forward with new functionality. Here are some highlights from recent work:
I wrapped up addressing the bugs and UX suggestions from the last review, which cleared the way to release new builds for both internal AND external testing. A milestone on the road to release!
On the feature side, I added activity preview and delete functionality, giving users more control and flexibility in managing their activities. I’ve also created the styling for routines on the client landing screen, where activities will be listed and grouped by time of day to fit into a daily routine. Implementation of populating this listing is already underway.
Each of these steps brings the app closer to a polished, fully functional state. More progress updates to come soon!
– Megan
- 22
- August
- 2025
Refining Features and Adding Notifications
Development continues mostly in a refinement phase for the full functionality to create an activity, focusing on polishing existing features and preparing the app for the next release.
I’ve completed the logic for handling various recurrence types – daily, weekly, and monthly – in advanced scheduling activities, with the exception of the custom recurrence, which still requires additional work. Using the iOS Reminders model as a reference helped guide the implementation, though the custom recurrence needs some more specific details that weren’t initially incorporated. The design and styling need to be updated and made more dynamic, along with additional data collection added to better reflect the expected functionality of this selection.
On the notifications front, device notifications are now functional for non-recurring activity reminders, bringing us closer to full reminder support. I’m also addressing the bugs identified during the last review. Once I’ve worked through that list, I’m planning to get a build out with the functionality as it currently stands.
With these continued refinements and updates, the app is steadily approaching a release-ready state. Looking forward to sharing more progress in the next update.
– Megan
- 07
- August
- 2025
Smoothing Out the Edges
Since the last update, development of the full create activity process has shifted into more of a refinement phase – though a few areas still needed work. I’ve reviewed and refactored much of the existing code to improve stability and maintainability. Fetching existing activities is now implemented, and the UI has become even more dynamic and responsive to different selections and inputs.
I also wrapped up the custom styling for these screens for now and completed the dynamic time input functionality. Time frames can now be added via a pop-up and deleted at runtime, with full integration into the core logic. This change aligns it with the design and expected flow.
A key focus right now is implementing the specific logic for handling various recurrence types in scheduled activities – a complex feature with a lot of moving parts. Thankfully, with the dynamic UI foundation already in place, it’s mostly a matter of planning and layering in additional logic.
The app went through external review in preparation for TestFlight external testing. A bug surfaced during this process, but the problem has been addressed. I’ve also reviewed all the areas where this could happen again to help prevent a repeat issue. Aim is for a new build to be sent in for review soon, with the goal of getting it out for testing soon.
At this point, it’s all about refining the experience and finalizing logic before release for testing. We’re getting close!
More to come soon.
– Megan
- 25
- July
- 2025
From Plans to Progress
Development of the activities functionality is well underway! While there’s still some work left to do, the core features are in place. Both coaches and clients can now create activities. Originally, we planned to work on this feature for clients first, but I found the functionality between coaches and clients to be so tightly connected that it made sense to build both together.
Thanks to recent design updates, advanced scheduling with recurring reminders has also been added. Handling the dynamic UI across these screens, including generating summaries at runtime, dynamic styling and syncing them across frames, was a real challenge, but it’s been overcome. The next step is finishing up the last pieces and implementing the ability to fetch existing activities.
Looking ahead, the next big hurdle will be making those reminders functional through notifications or alarms. That will require some research and experimentation, but I’m ready for it.
This brings us one step closer to a fully functional app. Looking forward to sharing more progress in the next update.
– Megan
- 10
- July
- 2025
Feature Foundations & Frontend Refinements
There’s been steady progress across several areas of the app. Some pieces are starting to take shape, while others are just getting underway.
The calendar has been built and is now awaiting full integration into the app. This will become a part of how users engage with their activities and journal entries, and how coaches engage with their client’s milestones and activities. The backend work to support journal entries has already been completed.
Work has started on activities, with some brainstorming and collaboration across the team, along with some work on the backend. After some discussion, the decision was made to begin with client-created activities, before later expanding the feature to coaches as well. This approach ensures the functionality remains accessible to users who don’t have a coach, while laying the foundation for future flexibility.
The app is currently going through a visual audit, with a potential overhaul of the colour scheme on the horizon. Design and UX feedback is being collected, and all notes will be reviewed and implemented with the goal of improving the overall experience.
The commitment to improvement remains strong as the journey moves forward. More updates coming in the next post as these features continue to take shape.
– Megan
- 23
- June
- 2025
Linking, Loading, and Looking Ahead
It’s been a while since the last post. Things have been moving behind the scenes, and I’m excited to share where we’re at.
Coach–Client Linking via Code: We can now link coaches and clients. Coaches can now generate a unique code and share it with their clients, who then use it to complete the linking process. It’s a simple, secure way to connect the right people.
Lazy Loading for Journal Entries: Journal entries now load as you scroll, improving performance and will keep things smooth for users with lots of content.
Styling Improvements: There has been progress on the UI, and further refinements are still underway.
Attention is now turning to adding more functionality to the coach side of the app, working on how coaches manage client information and assign activities to better support their clients.
Looking forward to seeing these features come to life and continuing to build a smoother, more supportive experience for both coaches and clients. More updates soon!
– Megan
- 23
- May
- 2025
Backend Fixes, UX Gains, and What’s Next
It’s been a busy stretch behind the scenes!
It’s been a mix of deep backend work, significant frontend development, and lots of hands-on testing.
I’ve spent a good chunk of time getting the local database up and running smoothly. That meant a lot of under-the-hood work. Fixing up some core database logic and making sure everything plays nicely together. I’ve also been doing a lot of testing, hunting down bugs and correcting unexpected behaviour.
The good news? After plenty of iterating, I finally pushed out a stable build! It’s been great to run through the app without constantly bumping into issues.
Since then, I’ve kept at it with continued testing and refinements – from how the keyboard interacts with inputs and handling user data on logout, to making sure buttons resize nicely. I made some improvements to the overall user experience and tightened up the responsive styling, so everything feels smoother across devices.
We’re still committed to frequent builds, keeping things transparent and the momentum going.
Next up: planning for the coach–client communication link can begin! More updates soon as we keep building and improving
– Megan
- 08
- May
- 2025
Cleaning Up and Paving the Way for New Features!
Life comes with changes, and the app has been no exception.
For a while, things were moving ahead thanks to an awesome intern who was driving development full-time. I was mostly checking in now and then, reviewing things, and offering guidance.
Now that she has moved on to new things, I’m stepping in full-time to take the reins. I’m diving headfirst into some cleanup and general improvements. My focus has been on fixing any bugs, removing any unnecessary code, and polishing up existing features to make sure everything runs smoothly. It’s also been a great opportunity for me to get fully hands-on with every part of the project.
Once all the cleanup is done, I’ll be moving on to planning and setting up the communication flow between the client and coach – a key feature that will take user interaction to the next level. Additionally, I’ll be doing more frequent builds, so you can expect regular updates and improvements as we continue to move forward. Looking forward to sharing more as that comes together!
– Megan
- 24
- April
- 2025
Polishing the Experience, One Update at a Time
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve continued refining and enhancing key parts of the YouCoach platform with a focus on both usability and visual polish.
One of the areas we worked on was the login flow specifically updating the “Remember Me” functionality to ensure it points users to the correct frame. While it’s a relatively minor fix on the surface, small improvements like this help streamline the experience and reduce friction during re-entry into the app.
We also made progress on the Morning Routine feature by properly linking it to its designated frame and adding a new panel to support layout and interaction improvements. This sets the stage for a more structured and engaging daily check-in, which is central to our goal of supporting intentional, habit-building routines.
In parallel, we focused on refining the journal experience. We updated the journal save icon to better reflect its function and make it more visually clear. Styling updates were also made to support dark mode, particularly around how memos are displayed, ensuring consistency and readability. In addition, we addressed the behavior of journal icons to make sure they respond accurately when selected, improving overall interactivity and user feedback.
These updates are part of our broader effort to bring greater consistency and polish to the interface while supporting meaningful functionality. We’re continuing to build intentionally with clarity, responsiveness, and a thoughtful user journey in mind.
Looking forward to sharing more soon!
Tersia
- 10
- April
- 2025
Continuing to Refine and Build: UI Alignment, Journal Tags, and New Features
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been focused on refining the visual consistency across YouCoach, particularly within the Client and Coach profile frames. We revisited these components to ensure they closely align with the Figma designs, helping bring more cohesion and clarity to the overall interface. These updates are part of our ongoing effort to create an experience that feels seamless, polished, and intuitive from end to end.
In parallel, we’ve continued building out new functionality to support journal tagging. This system will give users the ability to categorize their entries and surface related content more easily, laying the foundation for a more organized and personalized journaling experience.
We’ve also been exploring improvements to navigation and layout behavior. Work has started on a framework for a persistent navigation menu, and we’ve been experimenting with ways to dynamically control the visibility of different frames throughout the app. While these features are still in development, they’re key steps toward improving the overall flow and responsiveness of the platform.
Another area of focus has been laying the groundwork for client activity tracking, as well as starting to build the structure for a new Morning Routine feature. These additions will create more opportunities for coaches and clients to engage in daily, intentional check-ins, and will help support habit-building over time.
We’re also continuing to address custom styling needs as they arise, making sure the UI feels unified and consistent as we introduce new components and refine existing ones.
As always, our goal is to build with purpose prioritizing clarity, responsiveness, and a thoughtful user experience. We’re excited about the direction things are heading and look forward to sharing more progress in the next update.
Tersia
- 27
- March
- 2025
Creating a Seamless Journal Entry Display in YouCoach
As we continue developing the YouCoach platform, our main priority is improving the overall user experience by ensuring that interactions are smooth, intuitive, and visually appealing. Over the past two weeks, we’ve focused on several key areas to enhance the platform’s functionality and design.
One of our main efforts has been refining the Journal screen and improving the way journal entries are displayed. We’ve concentrated on ensuring that entries are clearly formatted, properly linked to their associated prompts and timestamps, and easy to navigate. The goal is to create a visually clean and user-friendly experience that helps users engage with their journal content more effectively.
Additionally, we’ve worked on implementing dynamic resizing functionality for text boxes, ensuring they adapt properly to varying amounts of text. This prevents any clipping issues when entries grow large and helps maintain a smooth user experience while interacting with journal content.
Another key area of focus has been improving the error handling for journal entry routes. We’ve implemented stronger validation to catch missing or invalid data inputs, which has enhanced the system’s overall reliability. Additionally, we’ve added more detailed error messages to both the client and server sides, making troubleshooting quicker and clearer for both users and developers.
As we move forward, we’re excited to keep building on the progress we’ve made and continue enhancing the platform. We’re committed to improving the overall user experience, enhancing UI responsiveness, and ensuring seamless interactions across the platform. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and look forward to sharing more updates as we keep developing YouCoach.
Tersia
- 13
- March
- 2025
Refining the Journal Entry Display in the New Screen
As development continues on the YouCoach project, we have been focused on refining the Journal screen and improving how journal entries are displayed. The main goal right now is to ensure that the entries are presented in a clean, user-friendly way, creating a seamless experience for users as they interact with their journal content.
One of the key areas we’ve been working on is the logic behind displaying journal entries. It’s crucial that each entry is formatted correctly and linked properly to its associated prompts and timestamps. We’ve also been ensuring that the overall layout is visually consistent and easy to understand, making it clear and intuitive for users to engage with their past entries.
The focus remains on ensuring the display logic works smoothly and efficiently, building the foundation for a clean, consistent experience that we can expand on in future updates.
We’re excited to continue improving this feature and can’t wait to see it evolve. There’s still a lot to be done, but we’re making good progress and are looking forward to what’s next.
Tersia
- 27
- February
- 2025
Streamlining Journal Entry Logic and Optimizing Performance
It’s been an exciting journey as I continue to work on the YouCoach project. Recently, I’ve been diving deeper into refining the logic for inserting journal prompt IDs into the journal entry table. As we scale, ensuring that the process is both efficient and optimized for performance is key to maintaining a seamless user experience.
One of the major focuses right now is improving the scalability of this process, particularly when dealing with multiple journal prompt IDs. The goal is to ensure that as the app grows, the performance doesn’t get impacted, allowing users to continue journaling without any delays or issues. I’m excited about the challenge of balancing functionality with performance to keep the app running smoothly.
In addition to optimizing the logic, I’m also working to ensure that the new implementation integrates well with the rest of the system, making it as easy as possible for users to add entries without any friction.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue collaborating with Megan and refining the system further. It’s a great feeling to see the progress we’re making, and I can’t wait to tackle the next challenge as we continue enhancing the app’s functionality!
Tersia
- 13
- February
- 2025
My First Few Weeks in YouCoach
It’s been an exciting three weeks since I joined the YouCoach project, and I’ve already had the chance to dive into several key areas of development.
One of the main tasks I’ve been focusing on is improving the journal entry functionality, specifically around character limits.
Ensuring that users have a seamless experience when entering data is crucial, and it’s been interesting to work through the constraints and edge cases involved.
As we’ve expanded onto the other journal entry fields, we’ve moved on to testing and adjusting the character limit to make sure we capture all the data correctly for display.
This allows us to transition smoothly to the next step or other journal screens.
It’s definitely been a great opportunity to improve and expand on the journal entry functionality!
In addition to that, I’ve also been tackling the error handling for the login feature.
Proper error responses are essential for a smooth user experience, so I’ve been making sure that errors are displayed clearly, especially when users encounter login issues.
This has involved refining the way error messages are handled on the client side and ensuring they are intuitive and informative.
While these tasks might seem small, they’re essential to the overall stability and usability of the app.
It’s rewarding to see the progress we’re making as a team and the improvements we’re adding to the user experience.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue working on refining the app’s features and collaborating with the Megan to solve any new challenges that come up!
Tersia
- 30
- January
- 2025
Change
Change is always part of the journey! As Humera left last week to focus on her studies, we’ve welcomed Tersia to the YouCoach team. After we dealt with some minor issues with the project migrations, she’s all set up and ready to go this week. She’s already jumped in, familiarizing herself with the tech stack and getting to work on the project. Currently focusing on keeping the user informed and ensuring all messages from the backend get through—looking forward to the improvements ahead!
-Megan
- 13
- January
- 2025
New Year, New Goals!
As we step into this new year, I’ve set some exciting resolutions for myself and my YouCoach app project. Being a second-year university student now, I’ve learned so much about balancing studies with my passion for app development. This year, my goal is to take YouCoach to the next level—focusing on refining features, improving user experience, and hopefully bringing it closer to launch!
2025 is all about growth, hard work, and turning ideas into reality. Here’s to another year of learning, creating, and achieving.
-Humera
- 26
- November
- 2024
Back in Action: Grateful for Teamwork and New Challenges
I’ve been away for the past two weeks, busy tackling my final exams, which meant I had to take a short leave from work. During my absence, Megan stepped in to take over the development of the app. Not only did she ensure everything ran smoothly, but she also improved my designs. Now that I’m back, I’m excited to dive in again. Just before I left, I was working on journal entries for the client side, and now I’m focused on sorting out some bugs in our production environment. It feels great to be back in the flow.
-Humera
- 14
- November
- 2024
Refining the Experience & Building the Journal
Recently, we’ve been refining frame navigation for smoother transitions, enhancing alignment and styling for a cleaner look, and expanding the app with additional frames. Although updates have been made across all screens, the primary focus has been on the journal frames and their core functionality. It’s exciting to see the app coming together, and we’re eager to share a new build with these updates soon!
– Megan