BrightSteps

License: GPL-3.0-only

BrightSteps is a calm, local-first learning app for children with special needs and their families. It is designed to make practice predictable, visual, and low-stress — giving caregivers full control and kids a consistent, supportive experience.

What BrightSteps Does

• Gives children structured practice through visual learning modules
• Supports both guided learning and quiz-style review
• Lets caregivers create and manage learning packs via UI or JSON
• Uses local storage by default for privacy and reliability
• Adds reward-based motivation tied to completed pack goals

Core Modules

FactCards

FactCards is a structured Q&A module.

• Prompt + answer cards with optional image/audio
• Multiple choice options and hint support
• Built-in packs and custom packs
• Learn mode and timed Review mode

PicturePhrases

PicturePhrases is an image-based sentence-building module.

• Upload image(s) and generate sentence practice
• Tap, drag, or type input modes
• Story mode supports bulk uploads with ordering
• AI-generated sentence groups, word banks, and hints

VocabVoice

VocabVoice is a pronunciation and vocabulary practice module.

• Word-by-word practice with syllable breakdowns
• Text-to-speech playback and speech recognition scoring
• AI-generated definitions, example sentences, and hints

Session Experience

• Learn mode: untimed, guided, support-first
• Review mode: timed, quiz-like, with result feedback
• Session summary tracks accuracy, hints, and completion

Dashboard and Insights

• Daily/weekly goal tracking
• Accuracy and completion summaries
• Rewards progress at the top of dashboard
• Insights page for progress and accuracy trends

Rewards

Caregivers can define rewards in Settings:

• Reward title
• Target completed packs
• Optional notes

When a child crosses a configured threshold during a session, a reward modal appears.

Settings and CalmControls

• Theme accent selection
• Reduced motion toggle
• Audio toggle
• Text size and contrast controls
• Daily and weekly goals
• Reward configuration
• Module manager entry points

Privacy and Data Model

• Local-first by default — no required accounts
• No analytics or ad-tech tracking
• Client-side storage: settings, custom packs, session history (IndexedDB)
• Server-side local persistence: SQLite-backed PicturePhrases and AI caches

Getting Started

Requirements

• Node.js LTS
• pnpm — npm install -g pnpm

Install

git clone https://github.com/prabhuavula7/BrightSteps.git
cd BrightSteps
pnpm install

Configure Environment

cp .env.local.example .env.local

Open .env.local and add your keys:

• OPENAI_API_KEY — required for AI content generation
• GEMINI_API_KEY — recommended as fallback

Run

pnpm dev

Open http://localhost:3000.

Common Commands

pnpm dev          # Start dev server
pnpm build        # Production build
pnpm start        # Start production server
pnpm lint         # Lint source
pnpm test         # Run unit tests
pnpm test:e2e     # Run end-to-end tests

Project Structure

src/                        Next.js app — pages, API routes, components, server logic
content/                    Built-in learning packs (FactCards, PicturePhrases, VocabVoice)
packages/
  content-schema/           Shared pack schema and validation
  spaced-repetition/        Spaced repetition algorithm
  ui/                       Shared UI components
docs/
  product-requirements.md   Product notes and PRD
  CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
  DISCLAIMER.md
  SECURITY.md
  TRADEMARK.md

Safety Notice

BrightSteps is an educational support tool only. It is not therapy, diagnosis, or medical advice.

• DISCLAIMER
• SECURITY
• TRADEMARK

Contributing

Please read CONTRIBUTING.md before opening pull requests.

License

BrightSteps is licensed under GNU GPL v3.0 only (GPL-3.0-only).