Paolo Bortolato
Freelance software developer based in Italy. I build backends, web apps, and small offline-first tools for people who freelance.
About
I'm a freelance software developer based in San Colombano al Lambro, Italy, with 15+ years of experience building Python and Java backends and full-stack web applications.
I've worked with fellow freelancers, small companies, and growing teams on everything from greenfield products to legacy modernization.
Need help with a project? Email me at paolo@bortola.to.it.
FreelanceKit
Python automation pack for freelancers and independent consultants.
You're a freelancer. You're good at your work. But at the end of every month you're stuck:
- Reconstructing hours from memory
- Building invoices in Word like it's 2005
- Writing awkward "just checking in" emails to clients who haven't paid
- Guessing your hourly rate and hoping it covers your costs
FreelanceKit fixes all of that with five Python scripts you run from your terminal.
What you get
- time_tracker.py — Start and stop a timer from the command line. Export a clean PDF report at the end of the month, broken down by client and project.
- invoice_gen.py — Fill in a simple YAML file with your invoice details. Run the script. Get a professional PDF invoice in seconds.
- client_reminder.py — Point it at your list of unpaid invoices. It sends a polite reminder email to every overdue client automatically.
- rate_calculator.py — Answer a few questions about your expenses and working hours. Get back your minimum, recommended, and premium hourly rates — with the math behind each number.
- expense_tracker.py — Drop in your bank statement CSV. Get back a categorized report — software, travel, equipment, meals — ready to hand to your accountant.
Why FreelanceKit
- Runs entirely offline. No cloud account, no API keys, no telemetry. The only network call any script makes is your own SMTP server, when you choose to send reminders.
- No subscription. Pay once. Use forever. Keep using it even if I disappear.
- Yours to modify. Five readable Python files. Change a label, add a category, tweak the invoice template — the source code is right there.
- Works on Windows, macOS, Linux. Python 3.9+, zero native dependencies.
- Real documentation. Exhaustive README, working examples, end-to-end walkthrough included.
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- You freelance or consult and bill clients
- You're comfortable running Python scripts from the terminal
- You're tired of paying $20/month for SaaS tools that do more than you need
- You want to own your tooling, not rent it
No, if
- You want a GUI with buttons (see FreelanceKit Plus below — buy the CLI now and get early access)
- You're not comfortable with the command line
What's in the box
- 5 standalone Python scripts (no framework, no build step)
- Customizable HTML invoice template
- Working example files for every script
- 25-page README with full documentation, troubleshooting, and FAQ
- Commercial license (use it for personal and client work forever)
- Email support: software@bortola.to.it
Requirements: Python 3.9 or newer. One pip install -r requirements.txt command. That's it.
Runs offline. No subscription. Yours forever.
Get FreelanceKit — $29FreelanceKit Plus Coming soon
The same five tools, wrapped in a tray app with a local web UI. Same offline-first principles — no cloud, no subscription — just a friendlier interface for people who don't live in the terminal.
Want to know when it ships? Email software@bortola.to.it with "FreelanceKit Plus" in the subject.