Project Overview
Rewardify is a fast-growing SaaS startup transforming workplace culture through peer-to-peer employee recognition. Purpose-built for Slack, it enables real-time reward sharing across teams. Rewardify came to Gaincafe with a great idea and in just 10 weeks, we turned it into a fully integrated platform: a secure Slack app, a scalable MERN dashboard, and a conversion-optimized WordPress website. This case study outlines the challenges, solutions, tech stack, and agile delivery approach that made Rewardify a live product featured in the Slack App Directory.
Overview
Key Challenges
Rewardify needed an entire platform built in 10 weeks—including a Slack app, admin dashboard, and marketing site—while meeting strict Slack approval requirements and security standards.
Our Solution
We engineered a fully integrated ecosystem: a secure Slack app using OAuth 2.0 and Slack SDK, a scalable MERN dashboard, and a high-performance WordPress marketing site. The solution was delivered in 10 weeks with 92% code coverage and Slack Marketplace approval.
Project Performance Metrics
Technical Details
Technical Architecture
Technical Features
Security Measures
- OAuth 2.0 and JWT for authentication
- SSL encryption and data-at-rest encryption
- Regular security audits and penetration testing
- Full GDPR and CCPA compliance
Scalability Features
- Horizontal scaling using Kubernetes
- Redis-based caching
- Load balancing across AWS nodes
- Sharded MongoDB setup
Testing Coverage
Detailed Solution
A) Building an Integrated Ecosystem
- A Slack app that worked seamlessly within channels and threads.
- A modern dashboard for admins to manage users and track engagement.
- A high-performance marketing website designed to convert and communicate value clearly.
B) Agile Delivery in 10 Weeks
The project was broken into 2-week sprints covering planning, development, QA, and deployment. Early wireframes and clickable prototypes were created to validate the UX upfront.
C) User-First UX + Real-Time Feedback
We used Slack’s Block Kit and interactive modals for a frictionless in-app experience. The admin dashboard allowed real-time updates, and the website optimized lead generation through responsive forms and SEO-ready design.
D) Compliance and Approval
We used Slack’s Block Kit and interactive modals for a frictionless in-app experience. The admin dashboard allowed real-time updates, and the website optimized lead generation through responsive forms and SEO-ready design.
E) End-to-End Ownership
From stakeholder interviews to CI/CD to Slack Marketplace listing, the Gaincafe team took ownership of the full product lifecycle.
Implementation & Infrastructure
Slack App Development
- Implemented using Slack’s Events API and Web API for real-time interactions and response handling.
- Secure user and bot authentication via OAuth 2.0 with granular scopes.
- Block Kit components (modals, buttons, interactive messages) for an intuitive in-Slack experience.
- Slash commands to trigger reward workflows directly from Slack channels.
- Slack SDK integrated with Express middleware for event verification and request validation.
Admin Dashboard (MERN Stack)
- Built with React + TypeScript + Tailwind CSS for modular, responsive UI.
- Backend powered by Node.js (Express) with REST APIs and WebSockets for real-time updates.
- MongoDB used for scalable, document-based storage with sharding for performance.
- Features include: user management, reward history tracking, reporting dashboards, and leaderboard logic.
- JWT-based role-level access control and audit logs for security and traceability.
Marketing Website
- Custom WordPress theme with Gutenberg block support for flexible CMS editing.
- Integrated with lead capture forms (via Gravity Forms) and Google Tag Manager for analytics.
- Performance optimised for mobile-first design, Core Web Vitals, and SEO best practices.
- Pagespeed optimised with lazy loading, image compression, and server-side caching.
CI/CD & DevOps Setup
- Deployed on AWS (EKS) using Docker + Kubernetes for container orchestration and scalability.
- CI/CD powered by GitHub Actions and Jenkins pipelines: auto builds, test runs, and blue-green deployments.
- Secure environment variable management via AWS Secrets Manager.
- Monitored with Prometheus and visualised through Grafana, with real-time alerts integrated into Slack.
- The testing stack included Jest (unit), Supertest (API), Cypress (E2E) achieving 92% code coverage.
Testing and Compliance
- Achieved 92% across unit, API, and end-to-end tests using Jest, Supertest, and Cypress.
- Conducted penetration tests and security audits to ensure GDPR and CCPA compliance.
- Fine-tuned backend and frontend systems for speed and reliability.
Implemented Tech Stack
Frontend & CMS
- • React.js (with Tailwind & Redux)
- • WordPress (for CMS)
- • TypeScript (for CMS)
Backend & Database
- • Express + Node.js
- • MongoDB
- • WebSockets
APIs & Integrations
- • Stripe API
- • Slack API
- • Google Tag Manager
- • Custom Rewarding API
- • Gravity Forms
Infrastructure
- • AWS (EKS)
- • Docker
- • Kubernetes
- • Redis (for caching)
- • AWS Secrets Manager
CI/CD & DevOps
- • GitHub Actions
- • Jenkins
- • Blue-green deployments
Security
- • OAuth 2.0
- • JWT
- • SSL encryption
- • Data-at-rest encryption
- • GDPR and CCPA compliance
- • Penetration testing
Testing
- • Jest (unit)
- • Supertest (API)
- • Cypress (E2E)
- • 92% code coverage
Before & After: UI Transformation
Before
- • Cluttered and outdated layout
- • No accessibility features
- • Inconsistent trading card display
- • Slower navigation
- • Lack of mobile responsiveness
- • Manual card entry and data input
- • Disconnected Slack or team tools
After
- • Modern, sleek and responsive UI
- • Accessible design + Dark mode
- • Interactive card grid with automated AI scan overlays
- • Effortless search, transitions and filters
- • Mobile-first and responsive design
- • OCR-based auto-scanning for accessing card details
- • Real-time Slack notifications integrated directly into the system workflow
Gallery
Visual transformation showcasing the dramatic improvements across all interfaces
Modern, clean interface with improved navigation and card scanning features
AI-powered OCR scanning with real-time card recognition
Comprehensive trading dashboard with TCGPlayer API integration
Fully responsive mobile interface optimized for card trading
Fully responsive mobile interface optimized for card trading
Fully responsive mobile interface optimized for card trading
"Working with Gaincafe was a dream. The team took ownership of the project like it was their own. We’re thrilled with how Rewardify turned out!"
Josh Golosinskiy
Rewardify Co-founder
Project Details
Duration
10 weeks
Industry
Technology
Team
Lead Designer, Full Stack Developer, Project Manager, UI/UX Researcher, QA Engineer, DevOps Specialist
Technologies Used
Project Goals
- Build and launch Slack-integrated rewards app
- Create a marketing website optimized for conversion
- Deliver a secure, scalable admin dashboard
- Meet all Slack Marketplace technical requirements