This is the first entry of this devlog. The idea is to document the process of developing my new project: WriteGym.

The idea behind FalaGym is to have a simple tutor that helps you practice writing in a foreign language. This tutor will give you feedback on aspects such as grammar, spelling and appropriate use of language.

You might be wondering why not use one of the infinite other services available for language learning?

The short answer is that I didn't really want to.

When I decided to be back at studying Danish I really missed the feedback I use to get from my teacher on writing assignments and this is exactly what I want to replicate here. No grand plans for world domination. Just a friendly app where you get a prompt, get some feedback, gets better and move on.

I want to have a ui that is very simple, beautiful and totally out of the way of the user.

On the technical side I wanted to start very simple to avoid swamping myself in analysis. So the tech stack for now is:

• NextJS
• Tailwind
• Postgresql (when I implement persistence)
• Prisma
• Anthropic api.

I will keep posting updates here even before I deploy it.

One of the challenges is to figure out how to make the service available without running the risk of costs sky-rocketing. Being realistic, I am mostly afraid of bots swamping the usage rather than real usage but still... I'll hold back deploying until I have decided what to do here. The options I am considering are:

• Simple email authentication - code to email before using
• Pay per use. Charge a modicum amount for each usage just to validate the user.
• Full account creation.

I'll know more soon. Jorge