I built a small kanban board that my coding agents update with curl
When I work with coding agents I usually have a few things going at once, and after a couple of sessions I no longer know what's finished, what's half done and what's waiting on me. I tried a TODO.md, but I never looked at it. Jira or Linear felt silly for a one-person project.
The article describes the creation of a small, custom kanban board called KanbanEasy, designed to help manage tasks and progress when working with coding agents. It uses a simple API and curl commands for interaction, making it ideal for one-person projects.
What happened
The author created KanbanEasy, a small kanban board for managing tasks with coding agents. It uses a JSON API and curl commands for interaction, allowing agents to move their own cards. The board is built using Lua and LÖVE, and it is open-source with a MIT license.
Why it matters
KanbanEasy is useful for developers and AI practitioners who work with coding agents, as it provides a simple and efficient way to track progress and manage tasks without the overhead of complex tools like Jira or Linear.
- KanbanEasy is a lightweight, custom kanban board for managing tasks with coding agents.
- It uses a simple JSON API and curl commands for interaction, avoiding complex setups.
- Columns can have rules for assigning tasks and guiding agent actions.
- The board is built using Lua and LÖVE, a game framework, for fast startup and performance.
- It is open-source and available on GitHub under the MIT license.
The bigger picture
KanbanEasy provides a lightweight, efficient solution for managing tasks with coding agents, improving productivity and task visibility without the need for complex tools.
KanbanEasy is a practical, lightweight solution for managing tasks with coding agents, offering simplicity, efficiency, and customization for developers and AI practitioners.
Technical details
- The board serves a JSON API on localhost:7420.
- Agents use curl commands to interact with the API, such as claiming tasks or adding comments.
- Columns can have rules for assigning tasks and guiding agent actions.
- The board is built using Lua and LÖVE, a game framework, for fast startup and performance.
- The board is stored as a single JSON file in the user's home directory.
FAQ
How does KanbanEasy interact with coding agents?
KanbanEasy provides a JSON API on localhost:7420, which agents can access using curl commands to claim tasks, add comments, or update card statuses.
Can I customize the columns in KanbanEasy?
Yes, columns can have rules for assigning tasks and guiding agent actions, such as assigning cards to specific users or defining next steps.
What programming languages and frameworks is KanbanEasy built with?
KanbanEasy is built using Lua and LÖVE, a game framework, which allows for fast startup and efficient performance.
Is KanbanEasy open-source?
Yes, KanbanEasy is open-source and available on GitHub under the MIT license.
How can I add a card to KanbanEasy?
You can add a card by pressing N, typing a title with details like the label, assignee, and priority, and pressing Enter. The input stays open for the next card.
This summary and analysis were generated with AI from the original article and may contain errors. Read the original for the full story.
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Originally published by Dev.to AI on Oct 4, 2026.
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