CHANGELOG.md

@@ -5,6 +5,31 @@ All notable changes to TESSERACT will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
+## [0.1.5] - 2025-01-XX
+
+### Added
+- **Nested Kanban View** - Major feature implementation
+  - Parent tasks now appear in each column where they have subtasks
+  - Parent cards show "X of Y subtasks in this column" indicator
+  - Parent cards are expandable/collapsible to show children in that column
+  - Parent cards have distinct visual styling (thicker orange border, bold text)
+  - Only leaf tasks (tasks with no children) are draggable
+  - Parent cards automatically appear in multiple columns as children move
+- Helper functions for nested Kanban logic:
+  - `getDescendantsInStatus()` - Get all descendant tasks in a specific status
+  - `hasDescendantsInStatus()` - Check if parent has any descendants in a status
+
+### Changed
+- Kanban board now labeled "Kanban Board (Nested View)"
+- Parent task cards cannot be dragged (only leaf tasks)
+- Column task counts now include parent cards
+- Improved visual hierarchy with parent/child distinction
+
+### Improved
+- Better visualization of task distribution across statuses
+- Easier to see project structure while maintaining status-based organization
+- Parent tasks provide context for subtasks in each column
+
 ## [0.1.4] - 2025-01-XX
 
 ### Added

README.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 **Task Decomposition Engine** - A self-hosted web application for managing deeply nested todo trees with advanced time tracking and project planning capabilities.
 
-![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-0.1.4-orange)
+![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-0.1.5-orange)
 ![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT-blue)
 
 ## Overview
@@ -12,7 +12,9 @@ TESSERACT is designed for complex project management where tasks naturally decom
 ### Key Features
 
 - **Arbitrary-Depth Nesting**: Create tasks within tasks within tasks - no limits on hierarchy depth
-- **Dual View Modes**: Toggle between Tree View (hierarchical) and Kanban Board (status-based)
+- **Dual View Modes**:
+  - **Tree View**: Hierarchical collapsible tree with full nesting
+  - **Nested Kanban**: Status-based board where parent tasks appear in multiple columns
 - **Intelligent Time Tracking**:
   - Leaf-based time calculation (parent times = sum of descendant leaf tasks)
   - Automatic exclusion of completed tasks from time estimates
@@ -101,13 +103,29 @@ docker-compose down -v
 
 **Expand/Collapse**: Click chevron icon to show/hide subtasks
 
-#### Kanban View
+#### Kanban View (Nested)
 
-**Add Task**: Click "+" in any column to create a task with that status
+The Kanban board displays tasks in a nested hierarchy while maintaining status-based columns:
 
-**Move Tasks**: Drag and drop cards between columns to change status
+**Parent Cards**:
+- Appear in **every column** where they have subtasks
+- Display "X of Y subtasks in this column" counter
+- Have distinct styling (thick orange border, bold title)
+- Click chevron to expand/collapse and see children in that column
+- Cannot be dragged (only leaf tasks are draggable)
 
-**Edit Tasks**: Use the three-dot menu same as Tree View
+**Leaf Tasks**:
+- Appear only in their status column
+- Fully draggable between columns
+- Standard card styling
+
+**Add Task**: Click "+" in any column to create a root-level task
+
+**Move Tasks**: Drag and drop leaf task cards between columns
+
+**Edit Tasks**: Use the three-dot menu on any card (parent or leaf)
+
+**Example**: A project with backend (2 tasks in backlog, 1 in progress) and frontend (1 in done) will show the project card in all three columns with appropriate counts.
 
 ### Understanding Time Estimates
 
@@ -354,7 +372,6 @@ Ensure JSON structure matches schema. Common issues:
 See [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md) for version history.
 
 ### v0.2.0 (Planned)
-- Nested Kanban view (parent cards split across columns)
 - Task dependencies and blocking relationships
 - Due dates and calendar view
 - Progress tracking (% complete)

frontend/src/App.jsx

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ function App() {
               <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold text-cyber-orange">
                 TESSERACT
                 <span className="ml-3 text-sm text-gray-500">Task Decomposition Engine</span>
-                <span className="ml-2 text-xs text-gray-600">v0.1.4</span>
+                <span className="ml-2 text-xs text-gray-600">v0.1.5</span>
               </h1>
             </div>
             <SearchBar />

frontend/src/components/KanbanView.jsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { useState, useEffect } from 'react'
-import { Plus, Check, X, Flag, Clock } from 'lucide-react'
+import { Plus, Check, X, Flag, Clock, ChevronDown, ChevronRight, ChevronsDown, ChevronsUp } from 'lucide-react'
 import {
   getProjectTasks,
   createTask,
@@ -27,14 +27,51 @@ const FLAG_COLORS = {
   pink: 'bg-pink-500'
 }
 
-function TaskCard({ task, allTasks, onUpdate, onDragStart }) {
+// Helper function to get all descendant tasks recursively
+function getAllDescendants(taskId, allTasks) {
+  const children = allTasks.filter(t => t.parent_task_id === taskId)
+  let descendants = [...children]
+
+  for (const child of children) {
+    descendants = descendants.concat(getAllDescendants(child.id, allTasks))
+  }
+
+  return descendants
+}
+
+// Helper function to get all descendant tasks of a parent in a specific status
+function getDescendantsInStatus(taskId, allTasks, status) {
+  const children = allTasks.filter(t => t.parent_task_id === taskId)
+  let descendants = []
+
+  for (const child of children) {
+    if (child.status === status) {
+      descendants.push(child)
+    }
+    // Recursively get descendants
+    descendants = descendants.concat(getDescendantsInStatus(child.id, allTasks, status))
+  }
+
+  return descendants
+}
+
+// Helper function to check if a task has any descendants in a status
+function hasDescendantsInStatus(taskId, allTasks, status) {
+  return getDescendantsInStatus(taskId, allTasks, status).length > 0
+}
+
+function TaskCard({ task, allTasks, onUpdate, onDragStart, isParent, columnStatus, expandedCards, setExpandedCards }) {
   const [isEditing, setIsEditing] = useState(false)
   const [editTitle, setEditTitle] = useState(task.title)
 
-  // Find parent task if this is a subtask
+  // Use global expanded state
-  const parentTask = task.parent_task_id
+  const isExpanded = expandedCards[task.id] || false
-    ? allTasks.find(t => t.id === task.parent_task_id)
+  const toggleExpanded = () => {
-    : null
+    setExpandedCards(prev => ({
+      ...prev,
+      [task.id]: !prev[task.id]
+    }))
+  }
 
   const handleSave = async () => {
     try {
@@ -56,11 +93,20 @@ function TaskCard({ task, allTasks, onUpdate, onDragStart }) {
     }
   }
 
+  // For parent cards, get children in this column's status
+  const childrenInColumn = isParent ? getDescendantsInStatus(task.id, allTasks, columnStatus) : []
+  const totalChildren = isParent ? allTasks.filter(t => t.parent_task_id === task.id).length : 0
+
   return (
+    <div className="mb-2">
       <div
         draggable={!isEditing}
-      onDragStart={(e) => onDragStart(e, task)}
+        onDragStart={(e) => onDragStart(e, task, isParent)}
-      className="bg-cyber-darkest border border-cyber-orange/30 rounded-lg p-3 mb-2 cursor-move hover:border-cyber-orange/60 transition-all group"
+        className={`${
+          isParent
+            ? 'bg-cyber-darker border-2 border-cyber-orange/50'
+            : 'bg-cyber-darkest border border-cyber-orange/30'
+        } rounded-lg p-3 cursor-move hover:border-cyber-orange/60 transition-all group`}
       >
         {isEditing ? (
           <div className="flex gap-2">
@@ -90,19 +136,33 @@ function TaskCard({ task, allTasks, onUpdate, onDragStart }) {
         ) : (
           <>
             <div className="flex justify-between items-start">
+              <div className="flex-1">
+                <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+                  {/* Expand/collapse for parent cards */}
+                  {isParent && childrenInColumn.length > 0 && (
+                    <button
+                      onClick={toggleExpanded}
+                      className="text-cyber-orange hover:text-cyber-orange-bright"
+                    >
+                      {isExpanded ? <ChevronDown size={14} /> : <ChevronRight size={14} />}
+                    </button>
+                  )}
+
                   <div className="flex-1">
                     <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm">
                       {/* Flag indicator */}
                       {task.flag_color && FLAG_COLORS[task.flag_color] && (
                         <Flag size={12} className={`${FLAG_COLORS[task.flag_color].replace('bg-', 'text-')}`} fill="currentColor" />
                       )}
-                <span className="text-gray-200">{task.title}</span>
+                      <span className={`${isParent ? 'font-semibold text-cyber-orange' : 'text-gray-200'}`}>
+                        {task.title}
+                      </span>
                     </div>
 
-              {/* Parent task context */}
+                    {/* Parent card info: show subtask count in this column */}
-              {parentTask && (
+                    {isParent && (
                       <div className="text-xs text-gray-500 mt-1">
-                  ↳ subtask of: <span className="text-cyber-orange">{parentTask.title}</span>
+                        {childrenInColumn.length} of {totalChildren} subtask{totalChildren !== 1 ? 's' : ''} in this column
                       </div>
                     )}
 
@@ -132,6 +192,15 @@ function TaskCard({ task, allTasks, onUpdate, onDragStart }) {
                         )}
                       </div>
                     )}
+
+                    {/* Description */}
+                    {task.description && (
+                      <div className="mt-2 text-xs text-gray-400 italic">
+                        {task.description}
+                      </div>
+                    )}
+                  </div>
+                </div>
               </div>
 
               <div className="flex gap-1 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity">
@@ -146,10 +215,30 @@ function TaskCard({ task, allTasks, onUpdate, onDragStart }) {
           </>
         )}
       </div>
+
+      {/* Expanded children */}
+      {isParent && isExpanded && childrenInColumn.length > 0 && (
+        <div className="ml-6 mt-2 space-y-2">
+          {childrenInColumn.map(child => (
+            <TaskCard
+              key={child.id}
+              task={child}
+              allTasks={allTasks}
+              onUpdate={onUpdate}
+              onDragStart={onDragStart}
+              isParent={false}
+              columnStatus={columnStatus}
+              expandedCards={expandedCards}
+              setExpandedCards={setExpandedCards}
+            />
+          ))}
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
   )
 }
 
-function KanbanColumn({ status, tasks, allTasks, projectId, onUpdate, onDrop, onDragOver }) {
+function KanbanColumn({ status, allTasks, projectId, onUpdate, onDrop, onDragOver, expandedCards, setExpandedCards }) {
   const [showAddTask, setShowAddTask] = useState(false)
 
   const handleAddTask = async (taskData) => {
@@ -158,6 +247,7 @@ function KanbanColumn({ status, tasks, allTasks, projectId, onUpdate, onDrop, on
         project_id: parseInt(projectId),
         parent_task_id: null,
         title: taskData.title,
+        description: taskData.description,
         status: status.key,
         tags: taskData.tags,
         estimated_minutes: taskData.estimated_minutes,
@@ -170,16 +260,37 @@ function KanbanColumn({ status, tasks, allTasks, projectId, onUpdate, onDrop, on
     }
   }
 
+  // Get tasks to display in this column:
+  // 1. All leaf tasks (no children) with this status
+  // 2. All parent tasks that have at least one descendant with this status
+  const leafTasks = allTasks.filter(t => {
+    const hasChildren = allTasks.some(child => child.parent_task_id === t.id)
+    return !hasChildren && t.status === status.key
+  })
+
+  const parentTasks = allTasks.filter(t => {
+    const hasChildren = allTasks.some(child => child.parent_task_id === t.id)
+    return hasChildren && hasDescendantsInStatus(t.id, allTasks, status.key)
+  })
+
+  // Only show root-level parents (not nested parents)
+  const rootParents = parentTasks.filter(t => !t.parent_task_id)
+
+  // Only show root-level leaf tasks (leaf tasks without parents)
+  const rootLeafTasks = leafTasks.filter(t => !t.parent_task_id)
+
+  const displayTasks = [...rootParents, ...rootLeafTasks]
+
   return (
     <div
-      className="flex-1 min-w-[280px] bg-cyber-darker rounded-lg p-4 border-t-4 ${status.color}"
+      className={`flex-1 min-w-[280px] bg-cyber-darker rounded-lg p-4 border-t-4 ${status.color}`}
       onDrop={(e) => onDrop(e, status.key)}
       onDragOver={onDragOver}
     >
       <div className="flex justify-between items-center mb-4">
         <h3 className="font-semibold text-gray-200">
           {status.label}
-          <span className="ml-2 text-xs text-gray-500">({tasks.length})</span>
+          <span className="ml-2 text-xs text-gray-500">({displayTasks.length})</span>
         </h3>
         <button
           onClick={() => setShowAddTask(true)}
@@ -200,17 +311,25 @@ function KanbanColumn({ status, tasks, allTasks, projectId, onUpdate, onDrop, on
       )}
 
       <div className="space-y-2">
-        {tasks.map(task => (
+        {displayTasks.map(task => {
+          const isParent = allTasks.some(t => t.parent_task_id === task.id)
+          return (
             <TaskCard
               key={task.id}
               task={task}
               allTasks={allTasks}
               onUpdate={onUpdate}
-            onDragStart={(e, task) => {
+              onDragStart={(e, task, isParent) => {
                 e.dataTransfer.setData('taskId', task.id.toString())
+                e.dataTransfer.setData('isParent', isParent.toString())
               }}
+              isParent={isParent}
+              columnStatus={status.key}
+              expandedCards={expandedCards}
+              setExpandedCards={setExpandedCards}
             />
-        ))}
+          )
+        })}
       </div>
     </div>
   )
@@ -220,6 +339,7 @@ function KanbanView({ projectId }) {
   const [allTasks, setAllTasks] = useState([])
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true)
   const [error, setError] = useState('')
+  const [expandedCards, setExpandedCards] = useState({})
 
   useEffect(() => {
     loadTasks()
@@ -237,6 +357,19 @@ function KanbanView({ projectId }) {
     }
   }
 
+  const handleExpandAll = () => {
+    const parentTasks = allTasks.filter(t => allTasks.some(child => child.parent_task_id === t.id))
+    const newExpandedState = {}
+    parentTasks.forEach(task => {
+      newExpandedState[task.id] = true
+    })
+    setExpandedCards(newExpandedState)
+  }
+
+  const handleCollapseAll = () => {
+    setExpandedCards({})
+  }
+
   const handleDragOver = (e) => {
     e.preventDefault()
   }
@@ -244,11 +377,22 @@ function KanbanView({ projectId }) {
   const handleDrop = async (e, newStatus) => {
     e.preventDefault()
     const taskId = parseInt(e.dataTransfer.getData('taskId'))
+    const isParent = e.dataTransfer.getData('isParent') === 'true'
 
     if (!taskId) return
 
     try {
+      // Update the dragged task
       await updateTask(taskId, { status: newStatus })
+
+      // If it's a parent task, update all descendants
+      if (isParent) {
+        const descendants = getAllDescendants(taskId, allTasks)
+        for (const descendant of descendants) {
+          await updateTask(descendant.id, { status: newStatus })
+        }
+      }
+
       loadTasks()
     } catch (err) {
       alert(`Error: ${err.message}`)
@@ -265,19 +409,38 @@ function KanbanView({ projectId }) {
 
   return (
     <div>
-      <h3 className="text-xl font-semibold text-gray-300 mb-4">Kanban Board</h3>
+      <div className="flex justify-between items-center mb-4">
+        <h3 className="text-xl font-semibold text-gray-300">Kanban Board (Nested View)</h3>
+        <div className="flex gap-2">
+          <button
+            onClick={handleExpandAll}
+            className="flex items-center gap-1 px-3 py-1.5 text-sm bg-cyber-darker border border-cyber-orange/30 text-gray-300 rounded hover:border-cyber-orange/60 hover:bg-cyber-dark transition-colors"
+          >
+            <ChevronsDown size={16} />
+            Expand All
+          </button>
+          <button
+            onClick={handleCollapseAll}
+            className="flex items-center gap-1 px-3 py-1.5 text-sm bg-cyber-darker border border-cyber-orange/30 text-gray-300 rounded hover:border-cyber-orange/60 hover:bg-cyber-dark transition-colors"
+          >
+            <ChevronsUp size={16} />
+            Collapse All
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
 
       <div className="flex gap-4 overflow-x-auto pb-4">
         {STATUSES.map(status => (
           <KanbanColumn
             key={status.key}
             status={status}
-            tasks={allTasks.filter(t => t.status === status.key)}
             allTasks={allTasks}
             projectId={projectId}
             onUpdate={loadTasks}
             onDrop={handleDrop}
             onDragOver={handleDragOver}
+            expandedCards={expandedCards}
+            setExpandedCards={setExpandedCards}
           />
         ))}
       </div>

frontend/src/components/TaskForm.jsx

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ const FLAG_COLORS = [
 
 function TaskForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, submitLabel = "Add" }) {
   const [title, setTitle] = useState('')
+  const [description, setDescription] = useState('')
   const [tags, setTags] = useState('')
   const [hours, setHours] = useState('')
   const [minutes, setMinutes] = useState('')
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ function TaskForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, submitLabel = "Add" }) {
 
     const taskData = {
       title: title.trim(),
+      description: description.trim() || null,
       tags: tagList && tagList.length > 0 ? tagList : null,
       estimated_minutes: totalMinutes > 0 ? totalMinutes : null,
       flag_color: flagColor
@@ -56,6 +58,18 @@ function TaskForm({ onSubmit, onCancel, submitLabel = "Add" }) {
         />
       </div>
 
+      {/* Description */}
+      <div>
+        <label className="block text-xs text-gray-400 mb-1">Description</label>
+        <textarea
+          value={description}
+          onChange={(e) => setDescription(e.target.value)}
+          placeholder="Optional task description..."
+          rows="3"
+          className="w-full px-3 py-2 bg-cyber-darker border border-cyber-orange/50 rounded text-gray-100 text-sm focus:outline-none focus:border-cyber-orange resize-y"
+        />
+      </div>
+
       {/* Tags */}
       <div>
         <label className="block text-xs text-gray-400 mb-1">Tags (comma-separated)</label>

frontend/src/components/TaskMenu.jsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { useState, useRef, useEffect } from 'react'
-import { MoreVertical, Clock, Tag, Flag, Edit2, Trash2, X, Check, ListTodo } from 'lucide-react'
+import { MoreVertical, Clock, Tag, Flag, Edit2, Trash2, X, Check, ListTodo, FileText } from 'lucide-react'
 import { updateTask } from '../utils/api'
 
 const FLAG_COLORS = [
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ const STATUSES = [
 function TaskMenu({ task, onUpdate, onDelete, onEdit }) {
   const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState(false)
   const [showTimeEdit, setShowTimeEdit] = useState(false)
+  const [showDescriptionEdit, setShowDescriptionEdit] = useState(false)
   const [showTagsEdit, setShowTagsEdit] = useState(false)
   const [showFlagEdit, setShowFlagEdit] = useState(false)
   const [showStatusEdit, setShowStatusEdit] = useState(false)
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ function TaskMenu({ task, onUpdate, onDelete, onEdit }) {
 
   const [editHours, setEditHours] = useState(initialHours)
   const [editMinutes, setEditMinutes] = useState(initialMinutes)
+  const [editDescription, setEditDescription] = useState(task.description || '')
   const [editTags, setEditTags] = useState(task.tags ? task.tags.join(', ') : '')
   const menuRef = useRef(null)
 
@@ -40,6 +42,7 @@ function TaskMenu({ task, onUpdate, onDelete, onEdit }) {
       if (menuRef.current && !menuRef.current.contains(event.target)) {
         setIsOpen(false)
         setShowTimeEdit(false)
+        setShowDescriptionEdit(false)
         setShowTagsEdit(false)
         setShowFlagEdit(false)
         setShowStatusEdit(false)
@@ -65,6 +68,18 @@ function TaskMenu({ task, onUpdate, onDelete, onEdit }) {
     }
   }
 
+  const handleUpdateDescription = async () => {
+    try {
+      const description = editDescription.trim() || null
+      await updateTask(task.id, { description })
+      setShowDescriptionEdit(false)
+      setIsOpen(false)
+      onUpdate()
+    } catch (err) {
+      alert(`Error: ${err.message}`)
+    }
+  }
+
   const handleUpdateTags = async () => {
     try {
       const tags = editTags
@@ -184,6 +199,52 @@ function TaskMenu({ task, onUpdate, onDelete, onEdit }) {
             </button>
           )}
 
+          {/* Description Edit */}
+          {showDescriptionEdit ? (
+            <div className="p-3 border-b border-cyber-orange/20">
+              <div className="flex items-center gap-2 mb-2">
+                <FileText size={14} className="text-cyber-orange" />
+                <span className="text-sm text-gray-300">Description</span>
+              </div>
+              <div className="space-y-2">
+                <textarea
+                  value={editDescription}
+                  onChange={(e) => setEditDescription(e.target.value)}
+                  placeholder="Task description..."
+                  rows="4"
+                  className="w-full px-2 py-1 bg-cyber-darker border border-cyber-orange/50 rounded text-gray-100 text-sm focus:outline-none focus:border-cyber-orange resize-y"
+                  autoFocus
+                  onClick={(e) => e.stopPropagation()}
+                />
+                <div className="flex gap-2">
+                  <button
+                    onClick={handleUpdateDescription}
+                    className="flex-1 px-2 py-1 text-sm bg-cyber-orange/20 text-cyber-orange rounded hover:bg-cyber-orange/30"
+                  >
+                    Save
+                  </button>
+                  <button
+                    onClick={() => setShowDescriptionEdit(false)}
+                    className="px-2 py-1 text-sm text-gray-400 hover:text-gray-300"
+                  >
+                    Cancel
+                  </button>
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          ) : (
+            <button
+              onClick={(e) => {
+                e.stopPropagation()
+                setShowDescriptionEdit(true)
+              }}
+              className="w-full flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 hover:bg-cyber-darker text-gray-300 text-sm"
+            >
+              <FileText size={14} />
+              <span>Edit Description</span>
+            </button>
+          )}
+
           {/* Tags Edit */}
           {showTagsEdit ? (
             <div className="p-3 border-b border-cyber-orange/20">

frontend/src/components/TreeView.jsx

@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ function TaskNode({ task, projectId, onUpdate, level = 0 }) {
         project_id: parseInt(projectId),
         parent_task_id: task.id,
         title: taskData.title,
+        description: taskData.description,
         status: 'backlog',
         tags: taskData.tags,
         estimated_minutes: taskData.estimated_minutes,
@@ -187,6 +188,13 @@ function TaskNode({ task, projectId, onUpdate, level = 0 }) {
                   )}
                 </div>
               )}
+
+              {/* Description */}
+              {task.description && (
+                <div className="mt-2 text-xs text-gray-400 italic">
+                  {task.description}
+                </div>
+              )}
             </div>
 
             {/* Actions */}
@@ -266,6 +274,7 @@ function TreeView({ projectId }) {
         project_id: parseInt(projectId),
         parent_task_id: null,
         title: taskData.title,
+        description: taskData.description,
         status: 'backlog',
         tags: taskData.tags,
         estimated_minutes: taskData.estimated_minutes,