FeelFree

Inspiration

I started smoking at 12 and went through the cycle of quitting and relapsing many times. During those years I paid close attention to myself, the triggers, the routines, and the way habits form. That awareness became the most powerful lesson.

I never turned to other quit-smoking apps because I felt they would not truly help. Most reduce quitting to numbers like money saved or days smoke free. Others rely on repeating how harmful smoking is. These approaches may inform, but they rarely transform.

Through my own journey I learned that quitting is not about shame or fear. It is about awareness and freedom. That belief inspired me to create FeelFree, an app built on self observation, understanding habits, and celebrating progress.

What it does

FeelFree is a quit smoking app designed around awareness instead of guilt. It builds a personalized quit plan from your habits and motivations, gives you daily check-ins to build consistency, celebrates progress through science based milestones, and provides an AI coach for support during cravings. Smart notifications keep you on track without pressure. The app is offered as a subscription with a one week free trial on the annual plan.

How I built it

FeelFree was built with a modern React Native stack using Expo and TypeScript. The architecture was designed for speed during Shipaton while still leaving room for long term scalability.

Framework: React Native + Expo for cross-platform development Navigation: Expo Router with file-based routing for a clean structure State & Storage: React hooks with AsyncStorage for persistence Payments: RevenueCat for subscription management and instant paywall updates Notifications: Expo Notifications for smart daily reminders AI Coach: Supabase Edge Functions integrated with the OpenAI API Design system: Custom green gradient brand identity with reusable UI components

I focused on shipping a complete v1 quickly by reusing a consistent design system, automating builds with EAS, and relying on proven tools like RevenueCat and Supabase. This allowed me to deliver a production ready app with onboarding, milestones, notifications, AI coaching, and subscription support in less than two months.

Challenges I ran into

Design on the fly: I moved fast without a fixed design or plan. Everything was built in a “design vibe, coding vibe” flow. Sometimes it felt overwhelming and I doubted whether I could finish or make it look good. It was my first time building a full product end to end, and I learned how different it is from just being a developer.

Emotional ups and downs: Because of the uncertainty, my motivation fluctuated a lot. I often asked myself if the app would be ready in time or if it would turn into something meaningful.

App Store review struggles: Apple rejected the app multiple times, mostly around the paywall. Since it happened close to the deadline, I felt extra pressure wondering if the release would make it in time.

Balancing relapse and progress: I had to design a dual date system that respected the original quit date but reset milestones after relapse.

Motivation without guilt: Most quit smoking apps use shame or fear. My challenge was to build motivation around freedom and awareness while still keeping users engaged.

Accomplishments that I’m proud of

Shipped a complete v1 app in less than two months.
Built without a predefined design, relying on creativity and iteration, yet delivered a polished and cohesive product.
Shared the entire journey day by day in public, including progress, struggles and learnings with the indie dev community.
Learned to think not only as a developer but also as a product builder responsible for the full journey from idea to launch.

What I learned

This was the project where I used AI most intensively. The majority of the code and architecture was generated with AI while I guided, reviewed and directed the process. It felt less like coding alone and more like collaborating with an intelligent partner.
Developing a full product is very different from just writing code. I had to handle design, UX, marketing, App Store release and monetization. All of these were new experiences.
I learned the value of just shipping. Instead of overthinking every detail, I focused on releasing, gathering feedback, and improving along the way.
Building in public changed the way I work. Sharing progress every day gave me accountability and motivation. Feedback from the indie hacker community improved features, design, and even the app’s message. The support of that community made the journey less lonely and more inspiring.
RevenueCat showed me the value of tools that allow instant paywall updates, which saved time and stress during App Store reviews.

What's next for FeelFree

UI refinements to polish the milestone and home screens for an even smoother experience.
Visual AI Coach that goes beyond text-to-text and uses supportive visuals to make interactions more engaging and effective.
Cloud sync with Supabase so users can keep their progress safe and consistent across devices.
FeelFree Community where people on the same journey can connect, share experiences, and support each other.
Localization to make the app accessible and supportive for users worldwide.

The long-term vision for FeelFree is to become a global support system that helps people quit smoking through awareness, community, and freedom. The goal is not only to help people quit, but to redefine quitting as a positive and empowering experience.