As a co-founder of the PSSD Network and someone with friends affected by the condition, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges of finding meaningful connections.
Traditional dating apps often fail to meet the unique needs of people with conditions like PSSD, prompting me to create an application that facilitates deep and lasting relationships tailored to these specific circumstances.
Project Scope
Given that I am the sole developer, I focused on maintaining simplicity in the project to enable a swift launch of a basic version. This approach allows users to start providing feedback and connecting with each other as soon as possible.
Initial Features
The initial version of the app includes:
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User login and registration
- SMS verification for added security
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Swipeable cards similar to other dating apps
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Global and local suggestions and matching based on user preferences
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Profile customization
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Specific features for PSSD, like tracking medication history and symptom duration
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Push notifications to alert users
Development Overview
I decided to build PSSD Connect as a web app for simplicity and ease of access. While I may later rewrite it as a native iOS/Android app, starting with a Progressive Web App (PWA) allowed me to focus on getting a functional version out quickly. PWAs work across all devices via a web browser, which made it the best option for an initial launch.
Tech Stack
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Frontend:
- React.js with MobX for state management
- Chakra UI for a robust and responsive user interface
- Formik for handling forms and validation
- Vite for fast development and build processes
- TypeScript for type-safe development across both frontend and backend
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Backend:
- Node.js with Express for server-side logic
- Firebase for user authentication, push notifications, and SMS verification
- MongoDB for storing user data and matches
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Tools and Services:
- Linux VPS for hosting and deployment
- Docker and Docker Compose for containerization and orchestration
- Sentry.io for monitoring and tracking production issues
- Getstream.io for real-time chat functionality
- Socket.io to support real-time updates
Application Showcase
Below is a showcase of the application's main screens:
GitHub Repository and Live Site
The source code for PSSD Connect is available on GitHub, and the application is currently self-hosted at pssdconnect.org.