### **Project Estimate: SmoothSchedule Platform Development**

**Date:** December 16, 2025
**Prepared For:** Internal & External Stakeholders
**Prepared By:** Gemini AI Software Engineering Agent

---

#### **1. Executive Summary**

This document provides a high-level cost and timeline estimate for the from-scratch development of the SmoothSchedule platform. Our analysis of the existing codebase reveals that SmoothSchedule is not merely a scheduling application, but a sophisticated, multi-tenant Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform with enterprise-grade features for e-commerce, extensive customization, and developer-level extensibility.

The architecture includes several high-complexity components, most notably a **sandboxed custom scripting engine** for user-defined automations and a **full data-isolation sandbox mode** for testing. These features place the project in a category of complexity comparable to building a platform-as-a-service (PaaS).

*   **Total Estimated Project Cost:** **$3,500,000 - $5,500,000 USD**
*   **Estimated Timeline:** **18 - 24 months**

---

#### **2. Project Scope & Complexity Analysis**

This estimate is based on the implementation of the following key features and architectural pillars identified in the codebase:

*   **Multi-Tenant SaaS Architecture:** The system is designed to serve multiple businesses (tenants) from a single infrastructure, with complete data separation.
*   **Custom Python Scripting Engine:** The platform's most complex feature is its ability to safely execute custom, user-written Python code in a sandboxed environment. This allows for limitless business automation, similar to Zapier or Salesforce Apex, and requires significant investment in security and resource management.
*   **Full Data-Isolation Sandbox Mode:** A complete "Test Mode" for each tenant, which uses a separate, isolated database schema. This allows users to safely test workflows and automations without affecting their live business data—a feature typical of mature, enterprise-grade platforms.
*   **Extensible Automation & Plugin Framework:** A comprehensive system for creating, installing, and managing "plugins" (automations). These can be triggered by schedules (e.g., cron jobs) or application events (e.g., when an appointment is completed), and are managed via a built-in marketplace.
*   **Visual Page Builder:** A drag-and-drop interface (identified as using `@measured/puck`) that allows tenants to build their own public-facing websites and booking pages.
*   **Advanced E-commerce Platform:** Integration with Stripe Connect, enabling tenants to bill their own customers, not just for the platform to bill its tenants. This requires complex logic for managed accounts, payment flows, and fee processing.
*   **Real-time Capabilities & Asynchronous Tasks:** The platform uses WebSockets (`django-channels`) for live updates and a Celery-based queue for handling background jobs like sending emails, generating reports, and running automations.
*   **Mobile Application:** A companion field application for iOS and Android that integrates with the full feature set of the backend.

---

#### **3. Cost Estimate Breakdown**

This estimate assumes a US-based software development agency model, including project management, design, development, and quality assurance.

| Category                      | Description                                                                                                                                     | Estimated Cost Range      |
| :---------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------ |
| **Backend Development**       | (Python/Django) Includes multi-tenancy, database architecture, REST APIs, and the highly complex scripting engine & sandbox mode.                | $1,500,000 - $2,200,000   |
| **Frontend Development**      | (React/TypeScript) Includes the primary web application, visual page builder, custom dashboards, and UIs for the automation/scripting engine.     | $700,000 - $1,100,000    |
| **Mobile App Development**    | (iOS/Android) Native or cross-platform development of the companion field application.                                                          | $350,000 - $550,000       |
| **UI/UX Design**              | Wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity design for the web and mobile applications, ensuring a polished and intuitive user experience.           | $250,000 - $400,000       |
| **Project Management & QA**   | Management oversight, sprint planning, manual and automated testing, and release coordination across all development tracks.                       | $550,000 - $900,000       |
| **Third-Party Security Audit** | Essential for a platform that executes custom code. Includes penetration testing and code review by an external security firm.                    | $100,000 - $350,000       |
| **Total Estimated Cost**      |                                                                                                                                                 | **$3,500,000 - $5,500,000** |

---

#### **4. Assumptions & Disclaimer**

*   This estimate is based on a feature set inferred from a comprehensive analysis of the provided codebase.
*   The costs are calculated using a blended agency rate typical for senior-level engineering talent in the United States. Rates and timelines may vary based on team location and composition.
*   This document is a high-level estimate intended for budgetary and planning purposes only. It is **not** a fixed-price quote. A formal proposal would require a detailed discovery and specification phase.
*   This estimate covers initial development and deployment. It does **not** include ongoing operational costs such as hosting, third-party service fees (e.g., Stripe, Twilio), marketing, or post-launch maintenance.