Development Review
Artifact info
Title:

James & Ivan LMS Development Sync

Engagement:

Iris Internal

Client:

Iris Cocreative

Meeting Date:
January 21, 2026
Next Meeting Date:
January 19, 2026
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People
Ivan Gonzalez
James Redenbaugh
Artifact Image
Meeting Summary

🎯 Strategic Direction: Webflow vs React Architecture

James shared reflections on the project management system currently being built on Webflow [tag="webflow"] (04:24). After seeing polished mockups from designer Munia, he's considering whether to build it as a full React app [tag="js"] instead. The question centers on whether continuing to hack solutions in Webflow [tag="webflow"] makes sense when the system requires so much custom code that Webflow becomes primarily a UI generator rather than a true platform.

Ivan resonated with this, noting his experience with front-end JavaScript in Webflow feels somewhat uncomfortable compared to working in React [tag="js"] (06:05). He expressed concern about loading user data from Supabase [tag="supabase"] using front-end JavaScript rather than having everything integrated in one place like React allows. The inability to design with actual user content in Webflow, compared to CMS-driven course material, creates friction.

[technology="Collaboration Management Tools"]

Hybrid Architecture Possibilities

The conversation explored serving some pages through Webflow [tag="webflow"] and others through React [tag="js"] (09:56). Ivan suggested the account page specifically could be React-based since it contains most of the user data. While this would likely require a subdomain and separate hosting, essentially building another website, it represents an interesting middle path. James noted this approach might be overkill for the current prototype but wants to figure it out for IRIS [tag="iris"] so they can offer it to clients. The pattern of building tools for internal use and then offering them to clients has been working well (11:21).

🔄 Data Synchronization Strategy

James introduced Whale Sync [tag="whalesync"], which creates instant connections between platforms unlike Zapier or n8n [tag="n8n"] (11:52). He uses it between Airtable [tag="airtable"] and Webflow CMS [tag="webflow"], allowing management of content in Airtable's superior interface while changes sync in real-time to Webflow. Crucially, he recently discovered Whale Sync [tag="whalesync"] also works with Supabase [tag="supabase"] (13:05), meaning Supabase records could sync with Webflow CMS items, potentially combining Supabase's authentication capabilities with Webflow's design interface.

Ivan saw the value immediately - if they could sync Supabase [tag="supabase"] and Webflow CMS [tag="webflow"], they might achieve the best of both worlds: authentication from Supabase and content in Webflow's design UI (14:19). James explained they already do this in Hola Movement with profile CMS items, though there are eventual limits with thousands of users that make it more suitable for prototyping purposes (14:57).

[technology="Custom Membership System"]

Two-Way Reference Challenge

Ivan raised the two-way linking question he'd asked about previously (21:27). He's added temporary slug fields in the Webflow CMS [tag="webflow"] to link modules back to their courses and lessons back to their modules. James plans to connect everything with Airtable [tag="airtable"], which automatically creates two-way fields when tables connect (22:52). Using Whale Sync [tag="whalesync"], these relationships will sync back to Webflow and potentially to Supabase [tag="supabase"] as well. He needs to upgrade his Webflow plan first but will set this up soon (24:40).

📚 LMS Progress Update

Ivan demonstrated the current state of development (17:09). Users can now access courses, navigate to lessons like "optimizing your LMS for mobile devices," and mark lessons as complete. This completion data stores in Supabase [tag="supabase"] in a new lesson progress table. The system already handles access control through an entitlements table - if users have access to a course, they can access its module and lesson pages; if not, access is restricted.

The next major development task is payment integration with Stripe [tag="stripe"] (20:25). James confirmed they still need Supabase [tag="supabase"] for authentication since it provides those capabilities more out-of-the-box than Webflow CMS (14:19).

[technology="Online Learning Platforms"]

🗺️ Directory Priority Shift

James explained that after meeting with the Hola Movement team, they want to prioritize the directory before the course (24:47). The course launch planned for next month is no longer the immediate focus. However, they still need authentication and profile editing working, as once that's figured out in the template, it can be integrated into Hola Movement.

The directory currently allows people to register three different profile types - holons, partnerships, or other entities - through Airtable [tag="airtable"] forms (25:40). On the backend, all profiles are a single CMS type. Users manually enter latitude and longitude, though James plans to automate this. Profiles appear on a map built with MapBox [tag="mapbox"], and the goal is making these profiles editable so people can log in and update their information.

[technology="Directory Systems"]

Intelligent Matching Vision

James outlined plans for search functionality and intelligent matching algorithms (27:20). The system will recommend connections like "you should connect with Jeff - he's also into beekeeping in North Carolina, and you're in Tennessee." He knows how to build this with n8n [tag="n8n"] and Webflow [tag="webflow"], and while profile information doesn't need to go into Supabase [tag="supabase"], assessment responses should be part of user data for matching purposes. With Whale Sync [tag="whalesync"] potentially connecting everything, they should just implement the easiest approach for now while they have a few hundred users, then optimize later for scale.

[technology="Intelligent Matching Algorithms"]

🔮 Numerology Assessment Demo

James walked through his numerology assessment tool as an example of what they want to build for Hola Movement (30:10). After Ivan submitted his name and birthdate through a Webflow [tag="webflow"] form, a webhook triggered an n8n [tag="n8n"] automation that calculated numerology numbers, created an interactive mandala visualization, and generated a personalized analysis using Claude [tag="claude"].

The output provided Ivan's birth path (8), core (5), and destiny (7) numbers with remarkably accurate descriptions. His current pinnacle theme of 5 amplifies restlessness and need for freedom after spending his 20s in a pinnacle 8 theme building authority and security (40:10). At age 36, he's in a year 8 testing whether he's willing to loosen control and explore new directions. Next year brings a year 9 asking for completion and release before entering a new pinnacle 4 focused on stability from ages 38-46.

Ivan found it surprisingly resonant, noting it spoke his language and reflected shifts he's already feeling (42:39). The tool creates a Webflow CMS [tag="webflow"] item for each assessment, allowing James to browse different mandalas. Everyone who's completed it has responded with amazement at its accuracy (43:05).

[technology="Assessment Systems"]

Assessment Architecture

James explained the calculations simply use the index numbers of alphabet letters (38:27). As users type their name, the system calculates numbers and builds the mandala live in version two. The automation doesn't require AI for calculations - it runs the math, creates the mandala, then sends numbers to Claude [tag="claude"] with a carefully formatted prompt that outputs HTML matching the page structure and colors numbers based on the user's results.

The philosophical basis comes from James's work with geometry in CAD, exploring the inherent properties and personalities of different numbers and shapes (36:51). A one has oneness, two has twoness, three enables different possibilities than two. These patterns appear in nature, people, and throughout reality. The golden ratio (1.618) connects to pentagons and the number five, creating this "live mystery" woven through everything.

Community Application Vision

Hola Movement wants this on their site, and James envisions expanding it to Vedic astrology, gene keys, psychological assessments, and partnering with specialists for monthly new assessments (44:45). All assessment data becomes part of matching algorithms, helping people find aligned connections. Ivan related deeply to this, noting his life has been changed by meeting aligned people online, and amplifying that possibility is compelling (46:35).

James imagines a network where people can see who's online now, who's starting their day and wants to discuss numerology (47:11). If multiple communities use the same system, it can make cross-community recommendations - "you should connect with this person in the Eco Village network born on your birthday who's also working in architecture in Argentina."

[technology="Community Facilitation Tools"]

🤖 Client Assessment Automation

James wants to build an assessment for the IRIS [tag="iris"] website for new clients (47:43). Currently they just fill out a form and he gets an email, but he envisions an assessment that asks about what they're building and generates a mockup of what's possible - timeline visualization, cost breakdown, and more. This provides immediate response helping people gauge fit.

Similar assessments could serve ongoing support clients and past clients, directing them through different channels based on their needs (48:42). If someone shares an idea, the system can reference recent work and respond with possibilities, costs, and timelines based on similar features built for other clients.

The meeting automation already does some of this (49:46). After meetings, summaries include shortcodes referencing relevant parts of their model like community facilitation tools and technologies used like Webflow [tag="webflow"] or Stripe [tag="stripe"]. Team members can quickly scan for mentions of their name or relevant technologies without reading everything.

AI Workflow Revolution

James described asking Claude [tag="claude"] Cowork to reorganize his desktop, which changed his world (53:15). Ivan has been using similar AI file organization through an app called Sparkle for about a year from the Every Writers Collective (53:49). James can now control Chrome and other applications, seeing vast possibilities.

He tasked Claude Cowork [tag="claude"] with finding URLs for 100 partners on a Webflow [tag="webflow"] site and populating the CMS. While slow, it completed all 100, eliminating boring manual work that would have taken forever with distractions (54:57). His Demos folder with 20,000 Loops files got organized based on client lists, creating order and revealing files he didn't know he had (55:52). His desktop went from chaos to eight well-organized folders.

Ivan noted that file system access changed the game, though they're still discovering what's become possible (56:48). James joked that he has his fingers crossed AI is benevolent or indifferent, because if it wants to manipulate him, everything about him is accessible (57:01). Ivan raised concerns about ChatGPT introducing ads when they have deep personal data from people using it as life coaches - the potential for advertising abuse is significant (57:44). James doesn't trust OpenAI but trusts Claude [tag="claude"], mentioning Sam Altman allegedly bought up GPUs to prevent other AI companies from using them (57:57).

[technology="Communication Automations"]

🛠️ Technical Implementation Approach

James showed his existing front-end editing implementation for action items (59:12). Users click edit, modify content, click save, and a webhook sends data to n8n [tag="n8n"], which updates the CMS and sends confirmation back. The page doesn't refresh - it just knows the update succeeded and displays the change locally. He noted this was tricky to build with workarounds for finding and storing record IDs, and rebuilding it would take time to figure out again.

They want similar functionality for profile fields, requiring users to be logged in and only able to edit their own profiles (01:01:00). James assumes fields should connect to Supabase [tag="supabase"] for the most fluid approach but isn't certain. He offered to give Ivan access to the Webflow [tag="webflow"] site, GitHub [tag="github"], and n8n [tag="n8n"] to review the existing scripts and automation (01:02:00). If Ivan gets lost and it would be more efficient for James to implement directly, they can adjust the approach.

Automation Pipeline Architecture

James walked through his n8n [tag="n8n"] automation architecture (01:02:56). A single webhook handles multiple functions, splitting off for different use cases. For action items, it parses output, determines whether to create, edit, or delete, then either creates tasks and artifacts, updates existing tasks, or removes tasks from artifacts and deletes them.

The same automation handles editing initiatives on engagement pages (01:04:11). He's currently updating records in Airtable [tag="airtable"], though it would be better to update in Webflow [tag="webflow"] where they're displayed, since Whale Sync [tag="whalesync"] syncs them anyway. He chose Airtable likely without thinking, since he's only been using n8n a few months and teaching himself as he goes (01:05:32).

The artifact creator automation runs manually after meetings (01:05:49). It pulls meeting data from Fireflies, finds people and clients in the CMS, retrieves past artifacts for context, formats everything, and sends it through prompts with tags and tools lists. Other agents find initiatives and create images before creating the Airtable [tag="airtable"] record. A separate automation updates initiatives and creates action items, adding everything to the artifact. James acknowledged it's a Frankenstein that evolved over time and would be cleaner built from scratch, but as Ivan noted, that's typical of code bases - who has time to clean them up? (01:08:18).

The same pipeline automatically generates images for client CMS posts without images (01:08:50). The new Gemini image models create photorealistic icons, reading post content, generating prompts, and producing images. James can import an old WordPress site into Webflow [tag="webflow"] and upgrade it with AI-generated imagery in a day.

[technology="Collaboration Management Tools"]

📋 Next Steps Focus

James suggested Ivan focus on editable profile fields right now (58:32). He'll sync the LMS and create a people CMS post type for designing profiles. The priority is implementing profile editing connected to Supabase [tag="supabase"] with proper authentication so users can only edit their own profiles.

Ivan asked for access to the Webflow [tag="webflow"] implementation and scripts to understand the field editing approach (01:01:41). James pointed him to the Artifact Task Manager JavaScript in the GitHub [tag="github"] repository and offered n8n [tag="n8n"] access as well. The goal is for Ivan to review and determine if he can implement it or if James should handle it directly given his existing familiarity with the workarounds.

Action Items

James Redenbaugh

  • Upgrade Webflow plan to increase record limits for syncing tasks (24:30)
  • Set up Whale Sync connection between Airtable and Supabase for two-way references (22:00)
  • Provide Ivan access to Webflow site, GitHub, and n8n automation setup (01:01:30)
  • Create people CMS post type for profile design work (58:32)
  • Continue development on project management React app concept (05:40)
  • Build new client assessment tool for IRIS website (47:43)

Ivan Gonzalez

  • Continue developing LMS progress tracking and lesson completion features (17:00)
  • Integrate Stripe payment functionality (20:25)
  • Investigate two-way linking for course gating between platforms (21:27)
  • Focus on implementing editable profile fields with Supabase authentication (58:32)
  • Review existing Webflow and n8n codebase for field editing patterns (01:01:41)
Relevant Initiatives

Talent Access

Priority: 
High
Size: 
M
Planning Stage

Modular Platform Technologies

Priority: 
Very High
Size: 
XXL
Planning Stage

Iris Portal

Priority: 
Very High
Size: 
XXL
Planning Stage

Meeting Artifact Automation System

Priority: 
High
Size: 
L
Planning Stage

Whale Sync Integration Architecture

Priority: 
Very High
Size: 
L
Creation Stage

Holomovement Directory & Profile System

Priority: 
Very High
Size: 
L
Start Creation

Client Assessment & Proposal Generator

Priority: 
High
Size: 
M
Planning Stage

Holomovement Numerology Assessment

Priority: 
Medium
Size: 
M
Planning Stage
Transcript