Vi Notes

Vi Notes is a full-stack writing-session manager with autosave, persistent DB storage, search/filter, tags, and private user notes.

Stack

• Frontend: React + Vite + Tailwind CSS
• Backend: Node.js + Express
• DB: MongoDB (Mongoose)
• Auth: JWT + bcrypt

Project Structure

• client/ frontend app
• server/ backend API
• server/src/models database models
• client/src/components reusable UI components
• client/src/pages app pages

Setup

1. Install dependencies:

npm install
npm install -w server
npm install -w client

2. Configure env files:

• Copy server/.env.example to server/.env
• Copy client/.env.example to client/.env

3. Start MongoDB (local or Atlas URI in server/.env)
4. Run:

npm run dev

• Client: http://localhost:5173
• Server: http://localhost:5000

Environment Variables

Server (server/.env):

• NODE_ENV = development
• PORT = 5000
• MONGODB_URI = MongoDB connection string
• JWT_SECRET = JWT signing secret
• CLIENT_ORIGIN = frontend URL

Client (client/.env):

• VITE_API_URL = http://localhost:5000/api

Data Schema

Session

• _id
• userId (ObjectId ref User)
• title (string)
• content (string)
• wordCount (number)
• startTime (date)
• endTime (date|null)
• duration (seconds)
• tags (string[])
• lastEditedAt (date)
• createdAt (date)
• updatedAt (date)

API Endpoints

Base URL: /api

Auth:

• POST /auth/signup
  • body: { name, email, password }
• POST /auth/login
  • body: { email, password }

Sessions (Bearer token required):

• GET /sessions?q=&tag=&from=&to= list with search + filters
• GET /sessions/tags list tags
• POST /sessions create session
• GET /sessions/:id get one
• PUT /sessions/:id update (used by autosave)
• DELETE /sessions/:id delete

Health:

• GET /health

Autosave Logic

• Debounced autosave on typing stop (~1.2s)
• Timed autosave every 8s
• Manual Save button
• Live word count while typing
• Session duration recalculated server-side on update

Bonus Notes

• Export PDF/Markdown, streaks, goals, and offline sync can be added next as incremental modules.