How to Build Your Own Deputy
Replace Deputy with a custom build. The complete people platform for hourly work
Build Difficulty: 5/5
Build a working replacement in a weekend with AI tools
Estimated Timeline
Based on 50 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Type-safe ORM for complex relational data models
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 50 features
Scheduling(8 features)
Advanced scheduling tools with additional controls and optimization options
AI-powered feature that automatically builds and fills shifts based on business needs, staff availability, budget, breaks, and training requirements
Schedule staff with drag-and-drop tools, view staff availability, training, and costs, and send schedules to teams via web or mobile
Schedule a shift across multiple areas within one shift and create game plans for employees
Require employee confirmation of published shifts to ensure acknowledgment
+3 more in this category
Compliance(7 features)
Automatically request attestation if staff clock in late, work unscheduled time, miss breaks, or leave early to create compliance records
Enhanced compliance features for complex labor law requirements
Schedule meal or rest breaks, prompt employees to take them, and flag missed breaks to ensure compliance with labor laws
Easily manage fair workweek rules and reduce the risk of penalties with straightforward tools and safeguards
Automatically screen employees for worrying symptoms to prevent spread of illness and trace contact with colleagues
+2 more in this category
Analytics(6 features)
Enterprise-grade data customization, additional audit reporting, and automated report-sharing capabilities
Track forecasted to actual variance in sales and wage metrics, set custom metrics and performance benchmarks
AI forecasting tool that predicts staffing requirements based on trends in sales, delivery orders, appointments, and other demand signals
Optimize labor scheduling and staffing to control costs and improve efficiency
Keep employee data in one place with clear visibility of labor hours, costs, profits, and legal compliance
+1 more in this category
HR(5 features)
Secure document management for employee records and compliance documents
Seamless experience from hire to first shift with personalized career hub, paperless onboarding, secure document management, and staff feedback surveys
Track leave requests, balances, and employee availability in one place, allowing employees to request time off directly
Streamlined onboarding process for new employees
Keep clear records of performance ratings and feedback, celebrate high-achievers, and identify staff needing guidance
Time Tracking(5 features)
Enhanced timesheet functionality with additional customization and controls
Eliminate buddy punching by using kiosk with face-unlock technology for secure time clocking
Add additional custom fields, questions and attestations to timesheets
Prevent employees from clocking in based on geolocation to ensure accurate time tracking
Time tracking solution that records accurate employee hours on tablet, mobile, desktop, or web, replacing paper timesheets
Payroll(3 features)
Manage pay centers for different business units or locations
Access library of labor laws and easily modify them to automate allowances, add shift differentials, or create custom pay rates
Streamline pay calculations for overtime, split shifts, missed breaks, and holiday premiums
Automation(2 features)
Auto approve timesheets and only manually intervene when required
Automatically approve timesheets based on configured rules
Communication(2 features)
Share critical messages, documents, and videos in one place with confirmation when key updates or policies are reviewed
Enhanced messaging experience with shift-aware actions, role-based permissions, and smarter ways to reach teams
Cost Calculator
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Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 50 features at very easy complexity.