Dr.Nut

yizhuw — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 05:21:31 +0000

What I Built

I built Forest OS, a cross-platform "digital sanctuary" designed to gamify mental health and mindfulness. In a world of high-stress and constant notifications, Forest OS provides a slow-living simulation where taking care of a virtual squirrel mirrors the act of taking care of oneself.
The app combines the charm of a virtual pet (Tamagotchi-style) with evidence-based psychological tools like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and breathing exercises.
The core theme is "Healing & Connection."
Instead of a boring checklist app, users enter a breathing ecosystem where:

Energy Loop: You earn energy by completing real-world self-care tasks (drinking water, looking at clouds).
Exploration: When you are well-rested, the squirrel travels to the forest and brings back "Mental Health Gifts" (insights or mini-games).
Community: A "Tree Hollow" drift bottle system allows users to share worries anonymously.

Demo and Video Link

https://github.com/zyun0004/DrNutUno
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11TjAAOeOFA-h2fIqtbHXsjVbZO0g058H/view?usp=sharing

Cross-Platform Magic

The app is designed with a "Write Once, Heal Anywhere" philosophy.
Using a single codebase, I created a consistent, fluid experience that adapts to different screen sizes.

Responsive Canvas: The "Drift Bottle" feature uses a cross-platform drawing canvas that works seamlessly on touch devices (iOS/Android).
Adaptive UI: The CustomTabbar and HomeIsland layouts dynamically adjust to safe areas (notches) and varying aspect ratios, ensuring the immersive art style isn't broken by system UI.
Unified Animation Engine: I utilized Lottie for complex vector animations (the squirrel's expressions, weather changes), ensuring 60fps performance across all platforms without heavy asset fragmentation.

Interactive Features

I focused heavily on Tactile Interaction to make the app feel alive:

Physics-Based Blind Box: In the Gift section, users interact with a rope connected to a giant acorn. I implemented a spring physics logic where the rope stretches and bounces back based on touch gestures, creating a satisfying "pull" feel before the reward pops open.
The "Crush Your Anxiety" Minigame: When users receive a "Worry Nut" (representing a negative thought), they must physically tap rapidly to crack the hard shell, revealing a comforting CBT truth inside. It turns abstract anxiety management into a physical action.
Haptic Feedback Integration: Every interaction—from high-fiving the squirrel to stamping a letter—triggers precise haptic feedback (vibration), adding a sensory layer to the digital experience.
Day/Night Cycle: Tapping the sun/moon instantly toggles the entire app's theme and the squirrel's behavior (active vs. sleeping), utilizing CSS variables and reactive state management for smooth transitions.

The Wow Factor

The aspect I am most proud of is the "Atmospheric Immersion."
Most utility apps feel static. Forest OS breathes.

Visuals: The background features particle systems (falling leaves, floating dust in light beams) and a "breathing" light effect that mimics a resting heart rate.
SOS Panic Mode: I built a dedicated "Emergency" layer. When a user feels overwhelmed, they can trigger an overlay that guides them through a 4-7-8 breathing technique with synchronized visual cues and vibrations.
Emotional AI: The squirrel reacts to the user's frequency of visits. It gets lonely, writes letters, or offers gifts based on the "Friendship Level" algorithm, creating a genuine emotional bond. It's not just an app; it's a pocket-sized forest that reminds you to breathe. 🌿🐿️

Interactive Screenshot

This is an interactive screenshot of different interfaces.