//001NovaWriter(Live)

NovaWriter

Timeline

4 Phases - Creative Act Transformation

Client

Personal Project

Status

Live

Visit Website

Technologies

Tauri 2.0RustNext.js 13TypeScriptTipTapOllamaTailwindCSS

Project Details

Platform:Desktop

Target:macOS, Windows, Linux

Company:ShippingApps.dev

Project Overview

NovaWriter reimagines the writing application as a creative partner rather than a productivity tool. Built on Tauri 2.0 with a Rust backend and Next.js frontend, it features local AI integration via Ollama, auto-save, circadian color system, and a minimal design that whispers rather than shouts.

Mission Statement

Create an interface that gets out of the way and lets the artist's true voice emerge. The app should feel alive, not mechanical - asking questions instead of providing answers, breathing instead of spinning, whispering instead of shouting.

Philosophy

Inspired by Rick Rubin's The Creative Act, NovaWriter treats AI as a muse that provokes thinking rather than an assistant that completes tasks. The interface uses natural language, gentle animations, and time-aware colors that shift like natural light throughout the day.

Design Principles

Questions over answers - AI asks 'What if...' instead of completing sentences
Whisper over shout - Interface fades to 60% opacity, no bold colors
Time-aware - Colors shift naturally with circadian rhythm
Local-first - All AI processing on device, no cloud dependency
Breathing over spinning - Organic animations that feel alive
Natural language - Poetic naming that invites rather than instructs

Technical Architecture & Innovations

Core Technology Stack

- Tauri 2.0 - Native desktop framework
- Rust - High-performance backend
- Next.js 13 - Modern React framework
- TypeScript - Type-safe development
- TipTap - Extensible rich text editor
- Ollama - Local AI inference
- TailwindCSS - Utility-first styling

Development Phases

Foundation

Base architecture with Tauri 2.0, Next.js 13, and core writing features

• File system operations
• Auto-save with 1.5s debounce
• TipTap editor integration

Circadian Colors

Time-aware color system that shifts throughout the day

• 8-token color palette (bg, text, accent, whisper, sidebar, border, muted, hover)
• CircadianProvider with 2s transitions
• Dawn/Day/Dusk/Night presets

Complete Transformation

Full Creative Act UI implementation across all components

• Editor chrome transformation (EditorWhisper)
• File tree with circadian colors
• All modals and overlays

AI as Muse

Question-based AI system that provokes thinking

• 5 muse commands with prompt engineering
• MuseCard component with auto-fade
• MuseThinking with breathing animation

Key Features

AI Muse System - 5 question-based commands (/dream, /echo, /shadows, /expand, /reflect)

Circadian Color System - 8-token palette that shifts Dawn → Day → Dusk → Night

Whispered Interface - Minimal chrome with opacity-based interactions

Local AI Integration - Privacy-first with Ollama, no cloud APIs

Auto-save - Debounced 1.5s save with visual feedback

File Management - Drag-and-drop sidebar with folder support

Analytics Dashboard - Word count tracking, writing streaks, session stats

Dark Mode Integration - Manual override with circadian system

Command Palette - ⌘K quick actions menu

Writing Celebrations - Goal achievements with confetti

Breathing Animations - Organic pulse indicators, not mechanical spinners

Natural Language UI - 'Sanctuary' not 'Home', 'Garden' not 'Tasks'

Results

Cold start time: ~67ms (target <80ms)

Bundle size: ~4.2MB (target <5.5MB)

RAM usage: ~60MB (target <75MB)

Auto-save delay: 1.5s exact

Successful compilation with 0 TypeScript errors

5 functional AI muse commands

Fully responsive circadian color system

Dark mode integration without breaking time-awareness

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