iOSAndroidMacVision Pro

in5min: Gamified Habit Building App

Transform your habits in just 5 minutes a day with gamification, social features, and AI-powered recommendations

4
Platforms
8
Habit Categories
72%
Daily Retention
18 days
Avg Streak Length

Project Overview

in5min is a gamified habit building application that transforms daily routines into an engaging experience. The app helps users build lasting habits through a unique combination of gamification mechanics, social features, and AI-powered recommendations—all designed around the principle that meaningful change can happen in just 5 minutes a day. The application features 8 habit categories (Mind, Sport, Cleaning, Fun, Kitchen, Learning, Productivity, Social), an XP and leveling system with streak bonuses, puzzle progression mechanics, and comprehensive social features including duels and team challenges. With daily challenges, mini-games, and AI coaching, in5min keeps users motivated and engaged in their habit-building journey. Built with React Native 0.81 and Expo SDK 54, the app delivers a native experience across iOS, Android, Mac, and Vision Pro platforms. The backend leverages Firebase for authentication and real-time data, while RevenueCat handles premium subscriptions seamlessly.

The Challenge

Creating in5min required solving several complex challenges to make habit building genuinely engaging: **1. Gamification Balance** Designing a gamification system that motivates without becoming manipulative. The XP, leveling, and streak mechanics needed to encourage genuine habit formation rather than just gaming the system. Balancing rewards to feel meaningful without being addictive. **2. Habit Category Diversity** Supporting 8 distinct habit categories (Mind, Sport, Cleaning, Fun, Kitchen, Learning, Productivity, Social) each with unique task types, verification methods, and progression systems while maintaining a consistent user experience. **3. Social Feature Complexity** Building comprehensive social features including friend tracking, 4 different duel types, team creation, group chat, and leaderboards. These needed to be engaging without creating toxic competition or social pressure. **4. Streak System Design** Creating a streak system that motivates consistency without punishing users for occasional misses. Implementing streak freeze functionality that preserves motivation while maintaining the integrity of the streak concept. **5. Real-time Multiplayer** Implementing real-time features for duels, team challenges, and leaderboards that work reliably across different time zones and network conditions. **6. AI Recommendation Engine** Building an AI coaching system that provides relevant habit suggestions based on user mood, time of day, past behavior, and personal goals without being intrusive. **7. Mini-Game Integration** Integrating 5 different mini-games (Memory Match, Quick Math, Word Scramble, Reaction Test, Pattern Memory) that complement habit building without becoming distractions. **8. Cross-Platform Consistency** Ensuring consistent experience across iOS, Android, Mac, and Vision Pro while leveraging platform-specific capabilities where appropriate.

The Solution

I developed a comprehensive gamified habit building platform addressing all engagement and technical requirements: **React Native + Expo SDK 54** Built the application using React Native 0.81 with Expo SDK 54 for modern cross-platform development. Achieved native performance across iOS, Android, Mac, and Vision Pro with shared codebase and platform-specific optimizations. **Gamified XP & Leveling System** Implemented a sophisticated XP system with multiple earning mechanisms: base task completion XP, streak bonuses (increasing with streak length), Early Bird/Night Owl time-based multipliers, and a 10% chance for Double XP. Users level up through XP thresholds, unlocking new features and badges. **8 Badge Achievement System** Created 8 distinct badges to reward different play styles: Starter (first steps), Disciplined (consistency), Deep Diver (category mastery), Explorer (variety), Team Player (social engagement), Morning Person (early completion), Centurion (100-day streak), and Month Master (monthly perfection). **Puzzle Progression System** Designed a unique puzzle mechanic where completing habits earns puzzle pieces. 10 themed puzzles (Sunrise, Ocean, Forest, Galaxy, etc.) provide visual progression and collection satisfaction beyond traditional progress bars. **Comprehensive Social Platform** Built full social features including friend discovery and tracking, 4 duel types for head-to-head competition, team creation with up to 10 members, real-time group chat, and multiple leaderboard categories (daily, weekly, all-time, friends, global). **Daily Challenge System** Implemented 4 rotating daily challenges: Morning Rush (complete 3 tasks before 9 AM), Focus Master (single category deep dive), Speed Demon (complete tasks quickly), and Variety Master (tasks across different categories). **Mini-Games Integration** Integrated 5 cognitive mini-games as rewards and engagement boosters: Memory Match (card matching), Quick Math (mental arithmetic), Word Scramble (vocabulary), Reaction Test (reflexes), and Pattern Memory (sequence recall). Games award bonus XP and unlock at certain levels. **AI-Powered Coaching** Integrated AI recommendation engine that suggests habits based on current mood, time of day, recent completion patterns, and stated goals. The AI coach provides personalized encouragement and identifies patterns in user behavior. **Firebase Backend** Leveraged Firebase Auth for secure authentication, Firestore for real-time data synchronization across devices and social features, and Cloud Functions for server-side logic like leaderboard calculations and challenge evaluation. **Zustand State Management** Used Zustand for efficient client-side state management with React Query for server state synchronization. This combination provides instant UI updates with background data sync. **RevenueCat Monetization** Integrated RevenueCat for premium subscription management with in-app purchases. Premium features include unlimited habit tracking, advanced analytics, exclusive puzzles, and ad-free experience. **React Native Reanimated** Implemented smooth 60fps animations throughout the app using React Native Reanimated for level-up celebrations, streak animations, puzzle completion effects, and gamification feedback.

Development Approach

1

Research & Design: Analyzed successful gamification patterns from games and fitness apps, studied habit formation psychology, designed XP/leveling curves

2

UI/UX Design: Collaborated with my wife, a professional UI/UX designer, to create engaging visual design with satisfying animations and clear progression feedback

3

Core Habit System: Built 8 category task system, habit creation/completion flows, and basic XP earning mechanics

4

Gamification Layer: Implemented leveling system, streak tracking with freeze functionality, badge achievements, and puzzle progression

5

Social Features: Developed friend system, 4 duel types, team creation, group chat, and leaderboard infrastructure

6

Daily Challenges: Created rotating challenge system with Morning Rush, Focus Master, Speed Demon, and Variety Master

7

Mini-Games: Integrated 5 cognitive mini-games as reward mechanics and engagement boosters

8

AI Integration: Built mood-based recommendation engine and smart coaching system

9

Real-time Sync: Implemented Firebase real-time listeners for social features and cross-device sync

10

Premium & Monetization: Integrated RevenueCat subscriptions and premium feature gating

11

Platform Optimization: Optimized for iOS, Android, Mac, and Vision Pro with platform-specific enhancements

12

Testing & Polish: Extensive beta testing with habit tracking enthusiasts, animation refinements, performance optimization

Technologies Used

Mobile Development

React Native 0.81Expo SDK 54TypeScriptReact NavigationExpo Router

State Management

ZustandReact QueryAsyncStorageMMKV Storage

Backend & Database

Firebase AuthFirestoreCloud FunctionsFirebase Storage

Real-time Features

Firestore Real-time ListenersWebSocketPush NotificationsBackground Sync

Animations & UI

React Native ReanimatedLottieExpo Linear GradientCustom Animations

Monetization

RevenueCatIn-App PurchasesSubscription ManagementPaywall UI

AI & Recommendations

OpenAI GPTRecommendation EngineMood AnalysisBehavioral Patterns

Analytics & Monitoring

Firebase AnalyticsCrashlyticsUser Engagement TrackingA/B Testing

Key Features

🎮

Gamified Task System

8 habit categories (Mind, Sport, Cleaning, Fun, Kitchen, Learning, Productivity, Social) with customizable tasks and satisfying completion animations.

XP & Leveling

Earn XP for completing habits with streak bonuses, Early Bird/Night Owl multipliers, and 10% Double XP chance. Level up to unlock new features.

🔥

Streak Tracking

Build daily streaks with increasing XP bonuses. Streak freeze feature protects your progress on off days.

👥

Social Features

Friend tracking, 4 duel types, team creation, group chat, and comprehensive leaderboards for friendly competition.

🎯

Daily Challenges

Rotating challenges: Morning Rush, Focus Master, Speed Demon, and Variety Master for bonus XP and variety.

🎲

Mini-Games

5 cognitive games: Memory Match, Quick Math, Word Scramble, Reaction Test, and Pattern Memory for fun XP bonuses.

🤖

AI Recommendations

Smart coaching based on mood, time of day, and behavior patterns. Personalized habit suggestions and encouragement.

🧩

Puzzle Progression

10 themed puzzles (Sunrise, Ocean, Forest, Galaxy) to unlock piece by piece as you complete habits.

🏆

8 Achievement Badges

Starter, Disciplined, Deep Diver, Explorer, Team Player, Morning Person, Centurion, and Month Master badges.

🔄

Cross-Platform Sync

Seamless sync across iOS, Android, Mac, and Vision Pro. Your progress follows you everywhere.

💎

Premium Features

Unlimited habits, advanced analytics, exclusive puzzles, and ad-free experience with RevenueCat subscriptions.

Beautiful Animations

Satisfying 60fps animations for level-ups, streak celebrations, and habit completions using Reanimated.

Results & Impact

4
Platforms
Available on iOS, Android, Mac, and Vision Pro
8
Habit Categories
Mind, Sport, Cleaning, Fun, Kitchen, Learning, Productivity, Social
72%
Daily Retention
Users returning daily due to streak mechanics
18 days
Avg Streak Length
Average user streak before using freeze
45%
Social Engagement
Users participating in duels or teams
3.2/day
Mini-Game Sessions
Average daily mini-game plays per active user
67%
Puzzle Completion
Users who complete at least one full puzzle
11%
Premium Conversion
Free to premium subscription conversion
"
Finally a habit app that actually keeps me coming back! The gamification is addictive in the best way. I love competing with friends in duels and watching my puzzle come together. The streak system with freeze option is genius - it motivates without stressing me out. Best habit app I have ever used!
M
Michael T.
Productivity Enthusiast, App Store Review

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