Closer
A private space for two.
Daily questions, mutual reveals, shared games, and calm rituals for couples.
Screenshots
·
What makes it different
·
Status
·
Run locally
·
QA
Android reference app · iOS scaffold in progress · Firebase backend · RevenueCat billing · Private repo
---
Closer is a native relationship app for couples who want a quieter way to check in with each other.
Each partner answers privately, reveals intentionally, and keeps a record of the conversations that
matter.
It is not a social network, therapy replacement, or productivity tracker. There are no public feeds,
likes, followers, or infinite-scroll loops. The product loop is small on purpose:
```text
answer honestly -> reveal together -> keep the conversation going
```
Screenshots
Fresh Android dark-mode captures from the current emulator build.
| Ready |
Your turn |
Reveal ready |
 |
 |
 |
| Play |
This or That |
Today |
Challenge |
 |
 |
 |
 |
What makes it different
Private first Partners answer independently before seeing each other's response. |
Mutual reveal The app is built around intentional sharing, not performative posting. |
Couple-owned trust Android encrypts answers, chat, history, and media on-device with couple-owned keys. |
One subscription per couple Premium unlocks for both partners through server-verified entitlements. |
Curated prompts Question packs are written and reviewed, not generated at answer time. |
Calm by design No feeds, likes, followers, public profiles, or pressure mechanics. |
Product surface
| Area | Free | Premium |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Daily question | Included | Included |
| Private answers + mutual reveal | Included | Included |
| Curated question packs | Free + mixed access | Full access |
| Spin the Wheel | Included | Included |
| This or That / How Well Do You Know Me | Included | Included |
| Recent answer history | Included | Included |
| Memory Lane capsules | Limited | Full access |
| Desire Sync | Limited | Full access |
| Connection Challenges | Free + mixed access | Full access |
| Date ideas, matches, and bucket list | Included | Premium ideas gated |
| Push reminders + quiet hours | Included | Included |
| Account deletion | Included | Included |
Data export is not currently offered. The in-app privacy copy intentionally says so until a real export
flow exists.
Platform status
| Platform | Status | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Android | Reference implementation | Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, Material 3, Hilt, Room, DataStore, Firebase, Tink |
| iOS | Scaffold in progress | SwiftUI screen parity exists; pairing is blocked until E2EE interop is complete |
| Backend | Shared source of truth | Firebase Auth, Firestore, Cloud Functions, FCM, App Check |
| Billing | Server verified | RevenueCat webhook writes Firestore entitlements observed by the app |
Android is the product source of truth today. iOS has the app shell, Firebase/RevenueCat integration,
and SwiftUI screens, but end-to-end pairing waits on CryptoKit/Tink interoperability.
Architecture
```text
Android (Kotlin/Compose) iOS (SwiftUI)
Hilt · Room · DataStore MVVM · AppState · SPM
Tink AEAD · Argon2id CryptoKit interop in progress
\ /
\ /
v v
Firebase + RevenueCat
Auth · Firestore · Functions · FCM
App Check · server-verified billing
```
Core rules:
- Couple-scoped Firestore data. Users only read/write their own couple surface.
- Server-mediated pairing. Invite lifecycle runs through Cloud Functions.
- Local-first question content. Prompts ship with the app; assignment/sync uses Firebase.
- Server-verified premium. Clients observe entitlements; they do not self-grant access.
- No anonymous auth. Accounts use email/password or Google sign-in.
Security and privacy
- Android encrypts answer content, chat messages, media, capsules, and backed-up conversation history
on-device before sync.
- The server stores ciphertext for private content and never receives plaintext answers.
- Recovery phrase wrapping uses Argon2id-derived keys.
- Partner-assisted restore lets a trusted partner help restore the couple key to a new device.
- Quiet hours are enforced server-side before push delivery.
- Account deletion exists; data export does not yet.
The canonical technical reference is
[docs/Engineering_Reference_Manual.md](docs/Engineering_Reference_Manual.md).
Local development
Prerequisites
- Android Studio, Android SDK, and JDK 17
- Node 20 for Firebase Functions tooling
- Firebase project with Auth, Firestore, Cloud Messaging, Crashlytics, Analytics, and App Check
- `app/google-services.json`
- RevenueCat project and Android API key
For iOS work:
- macOS, Xcode 16, XcodeGen, and iOS 17+
- `iphone/Closer/GoogleService-Info.plist`
- RevenueCat iOS API key
Android
```bash
cp local.properties.example local.properties
```
```properties
sdk.dir=/path/to/Android/Sdk
RC_API_KEY_ANDROID=your_revenuecat_android_key
RC_API_KEY_IOS=your_revenuecat_ios_key
```
```bash
./gradlew :app:assembleDebug
./gradlew :app:installDebug
./gradlew :app:testDebugUnitTest
```
iOS
```bash
cd iphone
xcodegen generate
xed Closer.xcodeproj
```
```bash
xcodebuild -project iphone/Closer.xcodeproj \
-scheme Closer \
-destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15' \
build
```
Firebase Functions
```bash
cd functions
npm install
npm run build
npm test
```
```bash
npm run serve
```
QA and release
The repo keeps repeatable QA checks close to the code:
| Check | Purpose |
| --- | --- |
| `scripts/theme-scan.sh` | Finds hardcoded theme/color regressions |
| `scripts/wiring-scan.sh` | Finds orphaned routes, dead actions, and silent wiring breaks |
| [docs/qa/](docs/qa/) | Manual QA playbooks and private MVP checklist |
| [docs/release/](docs/release/) | Internal testing, store assets, and release prep |
Live emulator fixtures and related credentials are intentionally local-only. Keep them in gitignored
files under `qa/`, never in the tracked README or public docs.
Repository map
```text
app/ Android app
iphone/ iOS app
functions/ Firebase Cloud Functions
server/ Optional Express service
seed/ Question content and seed tooling
scripts/ Static QA scanners
qa/ Local-only emulator fixture notes and smoke helpers
docs/ Architecture, release, screenshots, and QA docs
firestore.rules Firestore rules source of truth
```
Roadmap
In progress:
- iOS E2EE interoperability with Android's Tink key material
- More on-device/instrumented smoke coverage
- Activity `uiMode` sync for in-app theme and dark artwork
- Internal-testing release configuration, legal/support URLs, and RevenueCat offering validation
Out of scope for now:
- AI-generated core questions
- Group relationship spaces beyond dyadic couples
- Wear OS / watchOS companions
- Live video or voice sessions
Project docs
| Doc | Purpose |
| --- | --- |
| [docs/Engineering_Reference_Manual.md](docs/Engineering_Reference_Manual.md) | Architecture, security model, data model, and known landmines |
| [docs/brand/](docs/brand/) | Visual identity, asset system, generated art |
| [docs/release/](docs/release/) | Release prep and store assets |
| [docs/qa/](docs/qa/) | Manual QA checklist |
| [Future.md](Future.md) | Backlog and roadmap |
| [HISTORY.md](HISTORY.md) | Changelog and release notes |
| [PROJECT.md](PROJECT.md) | Scope, feature matrix, architectural decisions |
License
Private project. All rights reserved.