How to Build a Distraction-Free Writing App with Focus Mode Using Next.js and AI

Create a modern writing web application designed for focused, distraction-free content creation. Featuring an elegant minimalist interface, dark mode support, and automatic saving, this app helps writers maintain flow and productivity. Built with Next.js and AI-assisted development, it demonstrates how to create a professional writing tool with modern web technologies.

Create your own plan

Learn2Vibe AI

Online

What do you want to build?

Simple Summary

A minimalist writing web app with focus mode that helps writers concentrate by eliminating distractions and providing a clean, immersive writing environment with modern features like dark mode and auto-save.

Product Requirements Document (PRD)

Goals

Create a distraction-free writing environment
Provide essential writing features without overwhelming users
Enable seamless content saving and management
Support both light and dark modes for comfortable writing

Target Users

Writers seeking a focused environment
Content creators
Students working on assignments
Professionals writing documentation

Core Features

Minimalist writing interface
Focus mode with fullscreen support
Auto-saving functionality
Dark/light mode toggle
Basic text formatting
Document management system
Keyboard shortcuts

Success Metrics

User engagement time
Number of documents created
Time spent in focus mode
User retention rate
Document completion rate

User Flows

Document Creation Flow

Home → New Document → Writing Interface → Auto-save → Exit

Focus Mode Flow

Writing Interface → Toggle Focus Mode → Fullscreen → Writing → Exit Focus Mode

Document Management Flow

Home → Document List → Select Document → Edit → Save → Return to List

Technical Specifications

Frontend: Next.js 14 with App Router + TypeScript
Styling: Tailwind CSS for AI-friendly styling
Database: Supabase for real-time document storage
Authentication: Next-Auth
State Management: Zustand
Editor: TipTap for rich text editing
Deployment: Vercel

API Endpoints

// API Routes
/api/documents
  GET    - List user's documents
  POST   - Create new document
  
/api/documents/[id]
  GET    - Fetch single document
  PUT    - Update document
  DELETE - Delete document

/api/focus-mode
  POST   - Toggle focus mode settings

Database Schema

-- Users table (handled by Supabase Auth)
create table public.users (
  id uuid references auth.users primary key,
  email text unique,
  created_at timestamptz default now()
);

-- Documents table
create table public.documents (
  id uuid default gen_random_uuid() primary key,
  title text,
  content text,
  user_id uuid references public.users(id),
  created_at timestamptz default now(),
  updated_at timestamptz default now()
);

-- Enable RLS
alter table public.documents enable row level security;

-- RLS Policies
create policy "Users can read their own documents"
  on public.documents for select
  using (auth.uid() = user_id);

create policy "Users can create their own documents"
  on public.documents for insert
  with check (auth.uid() = user_id);

File Structure

src/
├── app/
│   ├── layout.tsx
│   ├── page.tsx
│   ├── documents/
│   │   ├── page.tsx
│   │   └── [id]/
│   │       └── page.tsx
│   └── api/
│       └── documents/
│           └── route.ts
├── components/
│   ├── Editor/
│   │   ├── Editor.tsx
│   │   └── Toolbar.tsx
│   ├── FocusMode/
│   │   ├── FocusToggle.tsx
│   │   └── FocusProvider.tsx
│   └── ui/
├── lib/
│   ├── supabase.ts
│   ├── store.ts
│   └── utils.ts
├── styles/
│   └── globals.css
└── types/
    └── index.ts

Implementation Plan

N/A

Deployment Strategy

N/A

Design Rationale

N/A