[decode]

Tech, explained like someone who gets it.

Decode is a shame-free, zero-friction technology companion for anyone who has ever felt left behind by tech. Paste any confusing piece of technology — a notification, a bill, a suspicious text, an error message — and get an immediate plain-language explanation.

No account. No login. No judgment. Just answers.

🔗 Live at decode-tech.vercel.app

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What it does

You describe anything confusing about technology. Decode tells you:

• What this is — plain language, no jargon
• What you should do — specific, actionable steps
• What to watch out for — scam flags, hidden fees, predatory patterns

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Who it's for

Low-income adults, seniors, first-generation students, recently incarcerated individuals, youth in under-resourced schools — and anyone who has ever felt made to feel slow by a device, a bill, or a website. Built by someone from these communities, not for them.

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Tech stack

• Frontend: Next.js 16 + TypeScript
• AI: OpenRouter (openrouter/auto) — production API, free tier
• Hosting: Vercel
• Analytics: PostHog (privacy-first, ad-blocker-resistant reverse proxy)
• Database: None — stateless by design in V1

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Running locally

You'll need an OpenRouter API key and a PostHog project key. No credit card required for either.

Create a .env.local file in the project root:

OPENROUTER_API_KEY=sk-or-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
NEXT_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_KEY=phc_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
NEXT_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_HOST=https://us.i.posthog.com

Then install and run:

npm install
npm run dev

App runs at http://localhost:3000. No second terminal needed.

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Project structure

src/
├── app/
│   ├── about/
│   │   └── page.tsx          # About page — mission and trust-building
│   ├── api/
│   │   └── decode/
│   │       └── route.ts      # POST route with input validation + rate limiting
│   ├── share/
│   │   └── [id]/
│   │       └── page.tsx      # Shared answer view — read-only
│   ├── layout.tsx            # Root layout with PostHog provider
│   └── page.tsx              # Homepage — main decoder interface
├── components/
│   └── PostHogProvider.tsx   # Analytics provider with reverse proxy
├── lib/
│   ├── decode.ts             # OpenRouter API call with retry logic
│   ├── posthog.ts            # PostHog initialization
│   ├── prompt.ts             # System prompt — the tone engine (most important file)
│   └── share.ts              # URL-safe Base64 encode/decode for share links
├── types/
│   └── decode.ts             # Shared TypeScript types
└── middleware.ts             # Rate limiting — 10 requests/min per IP

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Design principles

• Shame-free tone — baked into the system prompt, non-negotiable
• Zero friction — no account, no onboarding, first interaction requires nothing
• Privacy-first — no input data stored, no ads, ever
• Accessible — WCAG 2.1 AA contrast ratios, 16px minimum font size, keyboard navigable
• Works anywhere — library computer, older phone, slow connection

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Roadmap

• Core decoder interface
• Shame-free system prompt / tone engine
• OpenRouter production backend
• About page
• Accessibility pass (WCAG AA colors + font sizes)
• Share link feature
• Vercel deployment
• PostHog analytics with ad-blocker-resistant reverse proxy
• Reading level selector
• Topic categorization + analytics dashboard
• SMS / low-bandwidth version
• Community org embed widget
• Beta launch

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Individual users will always be free. No ads. No data selling. Ever.