// the problem
Why This Needed to Exist
Before building the web version, I needed to validate the core inventory management logic — stock tracking, reorder alerts, GST calculations, and waste management — in a simple, testable format. A CLI tool was the fastest way to prototype and verify business rules without frontend complexity.
// what i built
The Solution
I built a Python CLI application using only standard library modules. The tool features an interactive menu system, JSON-based data persistence, per-item critical stock thresholds with color-coded alerts, GST calculation with receipt formatting, and a waste tracking module for expired inventory.
// key challenges
Problems I Solved
Zero-Dependency Constraint
Without libraries like Click or Rich, I built custom terminal formatting using ANSI escape codes, implemented my own argument parsing, and created a JSON-based persistence layer using only the json and os modules.
Per-Item Stock Thresholds
Different items have different critical levels (buns run out faster than condiments). I implemented a configurable threshold system where each item carries its own reorder point, with visual alerts that escalate from yellow (low) to red (critical).
// outcomes
What I Learned
The CLI tool validated all core business logic before the web version was built, saving significant development time. It also serves as a standalone tool for environments where a web browser isn't available or practical.
// tech stack
Tools & How I Used Them
Python
Core language using only standard library — no pip install required
JSON
Data persistence format for inventory state and transaction history
ANSI Codes
Terminal color formatting for stock alerts and UI elements
argparse
Built-in Python module for command-line argument handling