QuestForge

QuestForge is a React Native quest tracker that turns everyday tasks into an RPG-style progression loop. It uses a local Node backend as the source of truth for quests, hero progress, theme settings, suggestions, and board configuration.

What the app does

• Create, edit, start, complete, fail, and delete quests
• Track XP, levels, ranks, achievements, and daily streaks
• Browse a dedicated quest history and streak calendar
• Search, filter, and sort the active quest board
• Pull daily quest suggestions from the backend
• Switch between light and dark mode plus backend-driven theme packs
• Show due-soon and overdue reminder prompts, with Android notifications for timed quests

Tech stack

• React Native
• TypeScript
• Local Node backend in backend/server.js
• Android native notification bridge for reminder alerts

Run the app locally

Prerequisites

• Node.js
• Android Studio with an Android emulator
• JDK 17

1. Install dependencies

npm install

2. Start the backend

npm run backend

The backend runs on http://localhost:4000.

3. Start Metro

npm start

If you want a clean reload:

npm start -- --reset-cache

4. Run Android

npm run android

For the Android emulator, the app automatically tries emulator-safe backend hosts such as 10.0.2.2.

Reminder and notification flow

QuestForge supports reminder-based deadlines for in-progress quests.

• All-day deadline format: YYYY-MM-DD
• Timed deadline format: full date-time such as 2026-04-03T18:00

When a timed quest is close to its deadline:

• the quest is highlighted on the board
• Android can show a local reminder notification
• if the quest becomes overdue, the app shows an in-app prompt asking whether the quest was completed

On Android 13 and above, the app may ask for notification permission the first time a reminder needs to be shown.

Main app areas

• Quest Board: active quests, daily suggestions, filter/sort controls, and the main hero overview
• Quest Forge: create or edit a quest
• Profile: XP, ranks, progress, achievements, and reset flow
• History: completed and failed quests with day, month, and year filters
• Streak Calendar: active-day view of streak progress
• Quest Details: deeper view for one selected quest
• Theme Sanctum: backend-driven theme pack selection
• Realm Codex: backend summary screen

Backend notes

The backend stores data in backend/data/.

• game-state.json: saved app state
• app-config.json: backend-driven board and screen copy

If the app shows the backend as offline:

1. Make sure npm run backend is still running
2. Check http://localhost:4000/game-state
3. Restart Metro with npm start -- --reset-cache
4. Relaunch the Android app

Validation

Useful project checks:

npx tsc --noEmit
npx eslint App.tsx backend/server.js src/api/gameStateApi.ts src/notifications/questNotifications.ts __tests__/App.test.tsx
npm test -- --runInBand

Final Note

This app was built to understand how a backend-driven app works.