FLOWSTATE

Inspiration

We share the same problem: sometimes we feel too unmotivated to start or complete our assignments, which has led us into some close calls. We realized that this is not just our struggle—many students, undergraduates, and even working adults also suffer from procrastination. This inspired us to create a web application that supports people who have difficulty dealing with procrastination and helps them build better habits in managing their tasks and time.

What it does

Our web application is designed to help people overcome procrastination, build consistent daily habits, and stay motivated to complete their tasks on time. Users can enter their tasks along with important details such as deadlines, attached files, and skill level. Based on this information, an AI agent analyzes each task and breaks it down into smaller, more manageable subtasks. To reduce decision paralysis and prevent users from feeling overwhelmed by a long to-do list, the web application displays one task at a time, allowing them to focus more clearly on the next step. To make the experience more engaging, users are rewarded with tokens for completing tasks, which they can use to purchase virtual furniture and decorate their own virtual house.

How we built it..

To manage our project effectively, we divided it into smaller subtasks, following the same principle that our web application applies to users’ tasks. Each team member was assigned a clearly defined technical role. The frontend was developed using JSP for the user interface, Figma for designing the layout and user experience, and the OpenAI API for generating images. The backend was built with Java, supported by Codex and Claude Assistant during development, while SQL was used to design and manage the database. The AI component was implemented using JavaScript and the OpenRouter API key, with JSON files serving as the main format for input and output data. By working on these components in parallel, we were able to save time and improve the overall efficiency of our development process.

Challenges we ran into

During the development process, our team faced several challenges. First, we had too many promising ideas, which made it difficult to decide which ones were the most suitable for the project. In addition, many of the features we proposed were complex and challenging to implement within our limited time and technical capacity. We also struggled with procrastination and low motivation at certain stages, which affected our productivity. Finally, our lack of experience and knowledge in some technical areas created additional difficulties throughout the project.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

What makes us most proud is that, within just 36 productive hours, we were able to work together, learn from one another, and turn our ideas into something meaningful. Despite the limited time, each member contributed their own skills and effort to the project, while also stepping outside their comfort zone to learn new things. More importantly, we did not simply create a technical product; we created a solution that was inspired by a real problem that many people face. Knowing that our work has the potential to support others and bring positive value to the community is what makes this accomplishment especially meaningful to us.

What we learned.

One team member learned how to use an API for image generation, which helped add a more creative and interactive element to our web application. Another team member learned how to build a simple AI agent, allowing the system to analyze tasks and support users in a smarter way. Another was able to design and develop a strong, visually appealing user interface, even though frontend development was not originally their main area of expertise. In addition, another team member successfully implemented a function to read PDF files, which expanded the system’s ability to process user input more effectively. Each member gained new technical knowledge and contributed in a meaningful way throughout the project.

What's next for FlowState

In the future, we want to expand FlowState in both technology and marketing. On the technical side, we plan to improve the AI agent so it can provide more accurate and personalized task breakdowns, enhance features such as reminders, habit tracking, and progress analytics, and make the overall user experience smoother and more engaging. We also hope to continue developing the gamification system by adding more rewards, customization options, and interactive elements to the virtual house.

On the marketing side, we want to introduce FlowState to a wider audience, especially students, undergraduates, and young professionals who struggle with procrastination in their daily lives. We hope to promote the project through social media, student communities, and educational networks so that more people can learn about its benefits. Our long-term goal is not only to improve FlowState as a technological product, but also to grow it into a practical and recognizable platform that can create a positive impact on the community.