⚙️ Engineering Principles
Our engineering culture is built on a foundation of quality, security, and empathy. We build robust, scalable systems that families can trust.
Core Principles
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Build for Trust: Security and privacy are not features; they are the bedrock of our application. Every line of code is written with the safety of our users' data in mind.
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Pragmatic Excellence: We strive for high-quality code and elegant architecture, but we are pragmatic. We choose the right tool for the job and prioritize delivering value to users over technical purity.
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Automate Everything: We automate our development, testing, and deployment processes to ensure we can ship features quickly and reliably. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) are central to our workflow.
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You Build It, You Run It: Our engineers take ownership of their code from development through to production. This fosters a culture of responsibility and ensures that we build resilient, maintainable systems.
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Collaborative & Kind: We believe that the best solutions come from collaboration. We conduct thorough code reviews, share knowledge openly, and treat each other with respect.
System Architecture Overview
Here's a high-level view of our backend architecture and how the app works:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MOBILE CLIENTS │
│ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ │
│ │ iOS App │ │ Android App │ │
│ │(React Native│ │(React Native│ │
│ │ + Expo) │ │ + Expo) │ │
│ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ │
└─────────────┬───────────────────────────┘
│
┌─────────────▼───────────────────────────┐
│ SUPABASE BACKEND │
│ │
│ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ │
│ │ Auth │ │ PostgreSQL │ │
│ │ Service │ │ Database │ │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ • Google │ │ • profiles │ │
│ │ • Apple │ │ • lodges │ │
│ │ • Email │ │ • children │ │
│ └─────────────┘ │ • events │ │
│ │ • messages │ │
│ ┌─────────────┐ │ • documents │ │
│ │ Storage │ │ • expenses │ │
│ │ Service │ │ • ai_chats │ │
│ │ │ └─────────────────┘ │
│ │ • Files │ │
│ │ • Images │ ┌─────────────────┐ │
│ │ • Docs │ │ Real-time │ │
│ └─────────────┘ │ Subscriptions │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ • Messages │ │
│ │ • Events │ │
│ │ • Updates │ │
│ └─────────────────┘ │
└─────────────┬───────────────────────────┘
│
┌─────────────▼───────────────────────────┐
│ EXTERNAL SERVICES │
│ │
│ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ │
│ │ OpenAI │ │ Device APIs │ │
│ │ GPT │ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ • Calendar │ │
│ │ • AI Chat │ │ • Contacts │ │
│ │ • Content │ │ • Photos │ │
│ │ Moderation│ │ • Camera │ │
│ └─────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ │
│ │
│ ┌─────────────┐ │
│ │ Stripe │ │
│ │ (Future) │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ • Payments │ │
│ │ • Billing │ │
│ └─────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘How the App Works
Core Concept: This is a co-parenting app that helps divorced or separated parents coordinate their children's care through shared digital tools.
Main Features: • Shared Calendar - Both parents can add/view events like doctor appointments, school activities, and custody schedules • Messaging - Secure communication between co-parents within family groups called "lodges" • Document Sharing - Store and share important files like medical records, school documents, etc. • Expense Tracking - Track and split child-related expenses fairly • AI Assistant - Get helpful advice on co-parenting situations
How Data Flows:
- Family Groups ("Lodges") - Everything revolves around family units where parents and children are connected
- Real-time Updates - When one parent adds an event or sends a message, the other parent sees it immediately
- Secure Storage - All sensitive information is encrypted and stored in a PostgreSQL database
- Smart Features - AI helps moderate conversations and provides parenting guidance
Technical Architecture: • Frontend: React Native app that works on both iPhone and Android • Backend: Supabase (a modern database service) handles all data storage, user accounts, and real-time updates • Authentication: Parents can sign in with Google, Apple, or email • File Storage: Documents and photos are securely stored in the cloud • AI Integration: OpenAI's ChatGPT provides intelligent assistance and content moderation
User Journey:
- Parent downloads app and creates account
- Sets up family "lodge" and invites co-parent
- Adds children's information and preferences
- Starts using shared calendar, messaging, and document features
- AI assistant helps with co-parenting questions and keeps conversations constructive
The app essentially creates a structured, secure digital space where co-parents can collaborate effectively for their children's benefit.