JobTrackr — Local-First Job Application Manager

Version: v0.1.0

JobTrackr is a desktop-first, single-user application that helps manage job applications, companies, contacts, notes, interactions, and reminders — entirely offline. All data is stored locally in an embedded SQLite database, and no cloud or network access is required.

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Overview

JobTrackr provides a structured local workflow for tracking every step of your job search. It integrates a Rust + Tauri backend for database and file handling, with a modern SvelteKit + Tailwind + shadcn-svelte frontend.

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Tech Stack

• Backend: Rust, Tauri v2, sqlx (SQLite), tracing for logging
• Frontend: SvelteKit 5 (runes), TailwindCSS, shadcn-svelte, Lucide icons
• Dates: @internationalized/date for timezone-safe CalendarDate handling
• Data Storage: ~/.JobTrackr/jobtrackr.db
• Logs: ~/.JobTrackr/logs/YYYY-MM/jobtrackr.YYYY-MM-DD.log

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Architecture

• Tauri commands act as the bridge between Svelte and Rust, exposing CRUD for all entities.
• Services in Rust perform logic and formatting before returning JSON responses.
• Svelte stores mirror backend entities and expose load/create/update/delete functions.
• Dialogs are modular Svelte components for creating and editing records.
• Homepage preloads all stores to ensure fast navigation and data availability.

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Data Model

Entities

• Company
• Person
• JobListing
• Application
• Interaction
• Note
• Reminder

Enumerations

Stage, WorkType, SeniorityLevel, Currency, Role, NoteType, InteractionType

Each entity includes timestamps (createdAt, updatedAt) and a generated displayLabel.

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Frontend Behavior

Reactive State (Svelte 5 Runes)

Use $state and $bindable, and never mutate objects in place.

// Correct
$formData = { ...existing, field: value };

// Incorrect (non-reactive)
Object.assign($formData, existing);

Edit Mode

Dialogs rehydrate by fully reassigning $formData to maintain reactivity.

Global Preload

All entity stores are loaded when the homepage mounts:

onMount(() => Promise.all([
  loadApplications(),
  loadCompanies(),
  loadNotes(),
  loadJobListings(),
  loadPeople(),
  loadReminders(),
  loadInteractions()
]));

Date Handling

Avoid .toISOString() to prevent UTC shifts. Construct date strings manually:

const d = $formData.reminderDate;
const yyyyMmDd = `${d.year}-${String(d.month).padStart(2, "0")}-${String(d.day).padStart(2, "0")}`;

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Features (v0.1.0)

• Full CRUD dialogs for all entities
• Unified alert system (success, error, info)
• Homepage with:
  • Recent Applications
  • Pending Reminders
  • Recent Notes
• Fallback messages when lists are empty
• Live-updated stores and dialogs
• Timezone-safe date handling
• Automatic store preload for subpages

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Directory Structure

src-tauri/
  src/
    commands/      # Tauri command functions
    services/      # Business logic layer
    db/            # SQL schema, models, enums
    utils/         # Logging, helpers

src/
  lib/
    stores/        # Svelte stores for CRUD
    components/
      formDialogs/ # Entity dialogs
      ui/          # shadcn-svelte components
      utils/       # Custom selectors, alerts, date pickers
  routes/
    +page.svelte   # Homepage using live store data

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Installation

Prerequisites

All platforms

• Rust (stable)
• Cargo
• Node.js 18+
• pnpm or npm

Linux

sudo apt install libgtk-3-dev webkit2gtk-4.1 pkg-config appmenu-gtk3-module

macOS

xcode-select --install

Windows

• Visual Studio Build Tools
• WebView2 Runtime

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Steps

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/<your-user>/JobTrackr.git
cd JobTrackr

# Install frontend dependencies
pnpm install     # or: npm install

# Fetch Rust dependencies
cargo fetch

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Development

pnpm tauri dev    # or: npm run tauri dev

• SQLite database is created at ~/.JobTrackr/jobtrackr.db
• Logs are stored under ~/.JobTrackr/logs/YYYY-MM/

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Build (Release)

pnpm tauri build   # or: npm run tauri build

Binaries are placed in:

src-tauri/target/release/bundle/

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Usage

Dialog Lifecycle

1. Open dialog and fill form
2. Submit → backend updates SQLite
3. Store updates → UI refreshes → dialog closes

Store Interface

Each store exposes:

loadX();
createX(payload);
updateX(id, updates);
deleteX(id);

Routing

Links use:

<a href={resolve("/path")}>Link</a>

This ensures safety under SvelteKit 2+.

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Logging

Logs rotate daily and are grouped by month: ~/.JobTrackr/logs/YYYY-MM/jobtrackr.YYYY-MM-DD.log

Includes startup, database initialization, and runtime events.

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Troubleshooting

Dialogs don’t update properly Reassign $formData entirely rather than mutating.

Date saved as previous day Avoid .toISOString(); build YYYY-MM-DD manually.

Selectors empty Ensure preload occurs before opening dialogs.

Linux build fails Install missing GTK or WebKit dependencies.

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Security and Privacy

• 100% local data — no internet access required
• No telemetry, analytics, or cloud sync
• All user content stored in ~/.JobTrackr/

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Known Limitations

• No schema migration UI
• No multi-user support
• Minimal form validation
• No filtering/sorting UI yet

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Roadmap

• Sorting and filtering for all list pages
• export (JSON, CSV, Excel, DB)
• import (JSON, CSV, Excel, DB)

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

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Credits

• UI Components: shadcn-svelte (adapted for Svelte 5)
• Icons: Lucide
• Frameworks: Tauri, SvelteKit
• Author: Chris Nielsen (Rodhor)