Pic-Time

Host client galleries with favorites, downloads, and simple proofing

KINDA · partial replacement
price $8/mosubscription / year $96estimated build time multi-dayreplaced by 0 people

The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Pic-Time, host client galleries with favorites, downloads, and simple proofing. The hard boundary is gallery delivery, store automation, print labs, marketing, and support, plus image pipeline quality, models, and workflow polish.

Build verification: not recorded. How we judge buildability

What you give up

  • gallery delivery, store automation, print labs, marketing, and support
  • proprietary raw-processing quality
  • cloud sync and sharing
  • large AI models
  • camera and print ecosystem

Why people still pay

People still pay for Pic-Time because photographers pay because image quality, catalog safety, and fast handling of huge libraries matter more than cloning sliders. The recurring cost buys raw codecs, color management, metadata, previews, face models, GPU support, storage, backups, sync, and export fidelity, not just the visible interface.

Your build guide

The stack, security requirements, and agent rules for a focused replacement.

Before you start

  • A supported Node release, PostgreSQL, HTTPS for a shared deployment, and a backup destination. Begin with one workspace and explicit owner/member permissions. Object storage, source photographs and permission to publish the selected client gallery.
  • Implementation components: Next.js App Router and TypeScript for server-rendered pages and validated mutations. PostgreSQL with Drizzle migrations; Better Auth sessions for a small private workspace. Private S3-compatible asset storage, Sharp-generated previews and short-lived authorized downloads.
  • Scope boundary: Print labs, automated sales campaigns and storefront tax/payment handling are outside scope.
01
Next.js App Router and TypeScript for server-rendered pages and validated mutations.
02
PostgreSQL with Drizzle migrations; Better Auth sessions for a small private workspace.
03
Private S3-compatible asset storage, Sharp-generated previews and short-lived authorized downloads.
04
Domain model: client galleries, original assets, watermarked previews, favorites, download entitlements and share tokens
engineering roadmap

Implementation plan

1

Phase 1

Scope and fixtures. Implement this bounded workflow: Publish a small client proofing gallery with previews, favorites and a reviewed original-download selection. Upload originals to private object storage and issue short-lived authorized downloads. Record prerequisites, select representative user-owned fixtures and document the unsupported features: Print labs, automated sales campaigns and storefront tax/payment handling are outside scope.

2

Phase 2

Durable model. Model client galleries, original assets, watermarked previews, favorites, download entitlements and share tokens Add migrations or a versioned document format, explicit validation, stable IDs and a visible import-error report. Preserve this rule: An unlisted URL alone is not access control; revoking a gallery must revoke asset access and preserve a record of prior download grants.

3

Phase 3

Complete the first useful path. Implement the workflow's input, review and output interface, with clear controls and explicit empty/error states. Commit related database changes in one transaction. Use version checks for competing edits and an outbox for external notifications; retry delivery independently of saving the record.

4

Phase 4

Permissions and integration failure. Authorize every record read and mutation on the server using its workspace membership; validate payloads, protect mutations against CSRF, and escape user-authored HTML. Request integration credentials and permissions only for the enabled feature; show a disconnected state instead of mock results.

5

Phase 5

Portable handoff. Export versioned JSON plus attachments and a readable CSV summary. Restore into a separate database and compare record IDs and attachment checksums before switching. Include setup, operating limits, fixture walkthrough and shutdown/restart instructions in the README.

6

Phase 6

Acceptance scenarios. A client can favorite but cannot retrieve another gallery's original; a revoked link stops new downloads while the owner retains the original files. Repeat the workflow after restart and with a denied permission or unavailable dependency; show recoverable failure rather than a success placeholder.

the pro prompt
download AGENTS.md
WORKING SLICE
Publish a small client proofing gallery with previews, favorites and a reviewed original-download selection. Upload originals to private object storage and issue short-lived authorized downloads.

Build this scoped Pic-Time-inspired workflow with a documented data model and visible failure states.

Architecture
- Next.js App Router and TypeScript for server-rendered pages and validated mutations.
- PostgreSQL with Drizzle migrations; Better Auth sessions for a small private workspace.
- Private S3-compatible asset storage, Sharp-generated previews and short-lived authorized downloads.

Prerequisites and limits
A supported Node release, PostgreSQL, HTTPS for a shared deployment, and a backup destination. Begin with one workspace and explicit owner/member permissions. Object storage, source photographs and permission to publish the selected client gallery.
Outside this release: Print labs, automated sales campaigns and storefront tax/payment handling are outside scope.

Data model and correctness
client galleries, original assets, watermarked previews, favorites, download entitlements and share tokens
Invariant: An unlisted URL alone is not access control; revoking a gallery must revoke asset access and preserve a record of prior download grants.
Commit related database changes in one transaction. Use version checks for competing edits and an outbox for external notifications; retry delivery independently of saving the record.

Security and privacy
Authorize every record read and mutation on the server using its workspace membership; validate payloads, protect mutations against CSRF, and escape user-authored HTML.

Recovery and export
Export versioned JSON plus attachments and a readable CSV summary. Restore into a separate database and compare record IDs and attachment checksums before switching.

Implementation order
1. Phase 1 — Scope and fixtures. Implement this bounded workflow: Publish a small client proofing gallery with previews, favorites and a reviewed original-download selection. Upload originals to private object storage and issue short-lived authorized downloads. Record prerequisites, select representative user-owned fixtures and document the unsupported features: Print labs, automated sales campaigns and storefront tax/payment handling are outside scope.
2. Phase 2 — Durable model. Model client galleries, original assets, watermarked previews, favorites, download entitlements and share tokens Add migrations or a versioned document format, explicit validation, stable IDs and a visible import-error report. Preserve this rule: An unlisted URL alone is not access control; revoking a gallery must revoke asset access and preserve a record of prior download grants.
3. Phase 3 — Complete the first useful path. Implement the workflow's input, review and output interface, with clear controls and explicit empty/error states. Commit related database changes in one transaction. Use version checks for competing edits and an outbox for external notifications; retry delivery independently of saving the record.
4. Phase 4 — Permissions and integration failure. Authorize every record read and mutation on the server using its workspace membership; validate payloads, protect mutations against CSRF, and escape user-authored HTML. Request integration credentials and permissions only for the enabled feature; show a disconnected state instead of mock results.
5. Phase 5 — Portable handoff. Export versioned JSON plus attachments and a readable CSV summary. Restore into a separate database and compare record IDs and attachment checksums before switching. Include setup, operating limits, fixture walkthrough and shutdown/restart instructions in the README.
6. Phase 6 — Acceptance scenarios. A client can favorite but cannot retrieve another gallery's original; a revoked link stops new downloads while the owner retains the original files. Repeat the workflow after restart and with a denied permission or unavailable dependency; show recoverable failure rather than a success placeholder.

Acceptance
A client can favorite but cannot retrieve another gallery's original; a revoked link stops new downloads while the owner retains the original files.
Use real source data or clearly labeled fixtures. Explain unsupported input and provider failures; do not fabricate analytics, delivery receipts, accuracy claims or security guarantees.

Optional agent guidance
Optional external skill: [vercel-react-best-practices](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/react-best-practices/SKILL.md) — Improve React and Next.js data fetching, rendering, bundle size and server performance. Review its instructions and compatibility before use; it does not grant deployment, data-access or publication permission.
Optional external skill: [supabase-postgres-best-practices](https://github.com/supabase/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/supabase-postgres-best-practices/SKILL.md) — Review PostgreSQL schemas, queries, indexes, pooling, concurrency and row-level security. Review its instructions and compatibility before use; it does not grant deployment, data-access or publication permission.
Optional external skill: [web-design-guidelines](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/web-design-guidelines/SKILL.md) — Review web interfaces for accessibility, keyboard focus, forms, navigation and interaction quality. Review its instructions and compatibility before use; it does not grant deployment, data-access or publication permission.
Project rule — data model: client galleries, original assets, watermarked previews, favorites, download entitlements and share tokens
Project rule — preserve this invariant: An unlisted URL alone is not access control; revoking a gallery must revoke asset access and preserve a record of prior download grants.
Project rule — acceptance evidence: A client can favorite but cannot retrieve another gallery's original; a revoked link stops new downloads while the owner retains the original files.

$ open in your agent (prompt prefilled, you press enter), copy the prompt or copy or download AGENTS.md · generated from this app's build plan

share on X ↗

Alternatives to building your own

PPiwigoPrivate client accounts, album permissions, favorites, downloads, and gallery themes on your own server; proofing works, commerce polish does not.3.8kmay 2026open source↗

no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real

Pic-Time pricing

planmonthlyannual (per mo)what you get
free$0/workspace$0/workspace10 GB photo storage for the first 3 months, then 3 GB; about 3,000 photos initially; 1 GB video; unlimited galleries.
beginner$8/workspace$7/workspace20 GB photos (about 6,000) and 5 GB video (about 30 minutes); unlimited galleries.Annual plan is $84.
professional$25/workspace$21/workspace100 GB photos (about 30,000) and 30 GB video (about 3 hours); unlimited galleries.Annual plan is $252.
advanced$50/workspace$42/workspaceUnlimited photo storage and 60 GB video (about 6 hours); unlimited galleries.Annual plan is $504.
agency——Custom brands, users and capacity; 0 self-serve prices published.Contact sales.

free tier10 GB photo storage for 3 months, then 3 GB; 1 GB video and unlimited galleries

billingmonthly + annual

hidden costsMulti-Brand costs $6/month for each additional brand; other commerce/fulfillment charges were not numerically disclosed on the live pricing page.

pricing sources checked 2026-08-14 · pricing source ↗

Questions about Pic-Time

Can you build your own Pic-Time with AI?

Partly. The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Pic-Time, host client galleries with favorites, downloads, and simple proofing. The hard boundary is gallery delivery, store automation, print labs, marketing, and support, plus image pipeline quality, models, and workflow polish.

What does the Pic-Time build prompt cover?

The prompt starts with this scope: Publish a small client proofing gallery with previews, favorites and a reviewed original-download selection. Upload originals to private object storage and issue short-lived authorized downloads. Full-product capabilities excluded from the comparison include: gallery delivery, store automation, print labs, marketing, and support; proprietary raw-processing quality; cloud sync and sharing. Follow the implementation plan and its prerequisites before expanding the build.

How do I use the prompt, AGENTS.md and agent skills?

Start with the Pic-Time prerequisites and stack, then copy the prompt into your coding agent. Save the project rules as AGENTS.md in the project root. Linked skills are optional packages or source instructions for specific tasks; review their current contents and install only those matching the chosen stack. A skill does not supply API credentials or verify the finished app.

How long will this Pic-Time project take?

The catalogue estimate is multi-day for the limited scope. Setup, integration approvals, debugging, deployment and ongoing maintenance can add time. This is an estimate, not a delivery guarantee.

What would I give up by replacing Pic-Time?

gallery delivery, store automation, print labs, marketing, and support; proprietary raw-processing quality; cloud sync and sharing; large AI models; camera and print ecosystem. People still pay for Pic-Time because photographers pay because image quality, catalog safety, and fast handling of huge libraries matter more than cloning sliders. The recurring cost buys raw codecs, color management, metadata, previews, face models, GPU support, storage, backups, sync, and export fidelity, not just the visible interface.

What price is this guide comparing against?

The recorded Beginner plan is $8/mo (monthly), checked 2026-08-14. Check the linked pricing source before buying. Building your own also has hosting, API and maintenance costs; the recorded amount is not a guaranteed saving.

What can I use instead of building Pic-Time?

Piwigo: Private client accounts, album permissions, favorites, downloads, and gallery themes on your own server; proofing works, commerce polish does not. Check each option's license, hosting needs and feature limits.

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