Replacement Guide

How to Build Your Own Nirvana

Replace Nirvana with a custom build. The To-Do List App for Getting Things Done

Weekend Project
21 features0 integrationsOne weekend

Estimated Timeline

Based on 21 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.

1
Setup & scaffolding
2 hours
2
Core features
4-6 hours
3
Polish & deploy
2 hours

Recommended Tech Stack

Next.js 14

Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components

Supabase

PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions

Tailwind CSS

Utility-first styling for rapid UI development

Prisma

Type-safe ORM for complex relational data models

Key Features to Replicate

Top features across 8 categories. See all 21 features

Task Organization(5 features)

Inbox

Brain dump area to capture all tasks and ideas

Next List

View actionable next tasks to focus on

Scheduled List

View scheduled and deferred tasks

Someday List

Store future ideas and long-term goals

Waiting List

Track tasks waiting on others

Organization(3 features)

Areas of Focus

Basic areas of focus to categorize tasks (Free tier)

Flexible Tagging

Use tags, contacts, or areas to add context to tasks and projects

Unlimited AreasPremium

Create unlimited areas of focus (Pro tier feature)

Scheduling(3 features)

Due Dates

Set due dates on tasks and projects to never miss a deadline

Recurring To-DosPremium

Create recurring tasks that repeat on a schedule (Pro tier feature)

Scheduled To-Dos

Defer and schedule to-dos to appear in actionable lists at a later time

Project Management(2 features)

Basic Projects

Create and organize projects to group related tasks

Unlimited ProjectsPremium

Create unlimited projects (Pro tier feature)

Communication(1 features)

Focus via Email

Have your focus list emailed to you first thing on specific days of the week

Filtering(1 features)

Advanced Filters

Filter tasks based on tags, areas, contacts, energy level, time required and more

Integration(1 features)

Email Capture

Turn any email into a to-do by forwarding it to your Nirvana account

Note Taking(1 features)

Notes & Checklists

Add detailed notes and checklists to tasks to ensure nothing gets overlooked

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Nirvana

Monthly$3/mo
Yearly$36/yr
5-Year Total$180

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~2 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyVery Easy

Total Cost Comparison

1 Year
SaaS
$36
DIY
$240
3 Years
SaaS
$108
DIY
$720
5 Years
SaaS
$180
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 21 features at very easy complexity.

Ready to Build?