Explore dark mode toggle
Look into adding a dark mode switch to the settings page using CSS variables.
Operations & Personal
Side Project Board
A Kanban Template to Keep Your Side Project Moving
Side projects stall not because of lack of ideas, but because there's no clear next step when you finally find time to work. This Side Project Board Kanban template gives you five focused columns — Idea Inbox, Backlog, Next Up, In Progress, and Done — so every session starts with a decision already made: just open Next Up and go. Pair it with the MCP server so an AI agent can capture ideas, promote tasks, and mark things done as you talk through your progress, keeping the board current even when you don't have time to manage it yourself.
kanboard.io/templates/side-project
Template preview
Side Project Board
5 columns
Idea Inbox
3Capture every raw idea or possibility for the project before it's evaluated, so nothing gets lost.
Consider mobile app wrapper
Research whether Capacitor or React Native could wrap the web app for mobile.
Newsletter signup idea
Sketch out a simple email capture form for the landing page.
Backlog
3Hold tasks that are defined and worth doing but not yet scheduled for near-term work.
Write onboarding email sequence
Draft a 3-email welcome sequence for new signups.
Add CSV export feature
Let users export their data as a CSV file from the dashboard.
Set up error logging
Integrate a lightweight error tracking tool to catch production bugs.
Next Up
2Hold the small set of tasks queued to start next, keeping momentum clear for the next work session.
Design database schema
Sketch tables for users, projects, and tasks with relationships.
Set up authentication
Add email/password login using an existing auth library.
In Progress
2Track what's actively being worked on right now, limited to a small number to avoid context switching.
Build task creation form
Create the form UI and hook it up to the create_task endpoint.
Style the landing page hero
Finish the hero section layout and responsive breakpoints.
Done
2Archive completed work so progress is visible and the project's history is easy to review.
Set up project repo
Initialized git repo, added README, and configured basic folder structure.
Deploy staging environment
Got a staging server running with auto-deploy from the main branch.
How to run this board
Step 1
Drop every new idea into Idea Inbox as soon as it occurs to you, no filtering needed.
Step 2
Once a week, review Idea Inbox and move worthwhile ideas into Backlog with a clearer task description.
Step 3
Before each work session, pull one or two tasks from Backlog into Next Up so you always know what's coming.
Step 4
When you sit down to work, move a Next Up task into In Progress and focus only on that.
Step 5
When finished, move the task to Done and immediately pick the next one from Next Up.
AI agent usage
Run it with AI agents
An AI agent connected via the MCP server can keep a solo side project alive between work sessions by capturing new ideas straight into Backlog, nudging one task into Next Up before you sit down, and updating status as you report progress in chat, so you always know the next concrete step instead of losing momentum.
# Side Project Board Agent Instructions
This project uses a kanban board with columns: Idea Inbox, Backlog, Next Up, In Progress, Done.
- New ideas or random thoughts go into Idea Inbox via create_task.
- When asked 'what should I work on', pick the top task from Next Up (or promote one from Backlog if Next Up is empty) using move_task.
- When the user says they finished or shipped something, move that task to Done.
- When the user says they started working on something, move it to In Progress.
- Keep total tasks under 25 (free plan limit) and never create a second project unless the user explicitly asks to upgrade.
- Use get_board before making changes so column state is current.What's the next thing I should work on for my side project?
I just finished setting up the database schema, mark it done and pull in something new.
Add an idea to the inbox: explore adding dark mode toggle to the settings page.
Learn more about the board-centric workflow in Kanban for AI Agents or open the MCP guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many tasks can I have on this board?
The free plan supports 1 project with up to 25 tasks total, which is enough for most solo side projects if you archive completed work regularly by keeping it in Done or clearing it out periodically.
Can I have multiple side projects on one board?
On the free plan you get 1 project. If you're juggling multiple side projects, you'd need the Pro plan ($12/mo or $96/yr) to create additional projects.
How do I connect an AI agent to manage this board for me?
Use the MCP server integration, which exposes tools like create_task, move_task, and get_board so an AI assistant can update your project through natural conversation instead of manual clicks.
What if I have more than 25 tasks?
You can delete or archive completed Done tasks to stay under the free plan's 25-task limit, or upgrade to Pro for higher limits and no need to prune your board.
Can I access this board without opening a browser?
Yes, there's a macOS app and a REST API in addition to the web board, plus keyboard shortcuts and a command palette for fast task navigation without touching the mouse.
Why only 5 columns instead of more stages?
Five columns (Idea Inbox, Backlog, Next Up, In Progress, Done) keep a solo project simple to scan at a glance; adding more stages usually creates overhead that isn't worth it for one person.
Related templates
Ready to create this board?
Sign in and use the template to create a project with columns and sample tasks.