How I Automate My Freelance Workflow with Python

As a freelance developer, I've learned that automating repetitive tasks is key to increasing productivity and earning more. In this article, I'll show you how I use Python to streamline my workflow, from project management to invoicing, and how you can do the same.

Project Management Automation

I use Trello to manage my projects, and Python to automate tasks such as creating new boards, lists, and cards. I've written a script that uses the Trello API to create a new board for each project, with pre-defined lists and cards.

import requests

# Trello API credentials
api_key = "your_api_key"
api_token = "your_api_token"

# Create a new board
def create_board(board_name):
    url = "https://api.trello.com/1/boards/"
    params = {
        "key": api_key,
        "token": api_token,
        "name": board_name
    }
    response = requests.post(url, params=params)
    return response.json()["id"]

# Create a new list
def create_list(board_id, list_name):
    url = f"https://api.trello.com/1/boards/{board_id}/lists"
    params = {
        "key": api_key,
        "token": api_token,
        "name": list_name
    }
    response = requests.post(url, params=params)
    return response.json()["id"]

# Create a new card
def create_card(list_id, card_name):
    url = f"https://api.trello.com/1/cards"
    params = {
        "key": api_key,
        "token": api_token,
        "name": card_name,
        "idList": list_id
    }
    response = requests.post(url, params=params)
    return response.json()["id"]

# Example usage
board_id = create_board("New Project")
list_id = create_list(board_id, "To-Do")
create_card(list_id, "Task 1")

Time Tracking Automation

I use Harvest to track my time, and Python to automate tasks such as creating new projects, tasks, and logging time. I've written a script that uses the Harvest API to create a new project and task, and log time for each task.

python
import requests

# Harvest API credentials
api_key = "your_api_key"
api_secret = "your_api_secret"

# Create a new project
def create_project(project_name):
    url = "https://api.harvestapp.com/v2/projects"
    headers = {
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Harvest-Account-Id": "your_account_id"
    }
    data = {
        "project": {
            "name": project_name
        }
    }
    response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=data)
    return response.json()["project"]["id"]

# Create a new task
def create_task(project_id, task_name):
    url = f"https://api.harvestapp.com/v2/projects/{project_id}/task_assignments"
    headers = {
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Harvest-Account-Id": "your_account_id"
    }
    data = {
        "task_assignment": {
            "task": {
                "name": task_name
            }
        }
    }
    response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=data)
    return response.json()["task_assignment"]["task"]["id"]

# Log time for a task
def log_time(task_id, hours):
    url = f"https://api.harvestapp.com/v2/time_entries"
    headers = {
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Harvest-Account-Id": "your_account_id"
    }
    data = {
        "time_entry": {
            "project_id":