Case study
Circle Up!
Privacy-focused community communication platform for groups who value both connection and data protection.
Tech stack
What it's built with
Core framework
- Next.js 15.2.6: App Router with React 19
- TypeScript: type-safe development
- React 19: latest React features
Database & auth
- Supabase: PostgreSQL + Auth
- Row Level Security: database-level privacy
Styling & UI
- Tailwind CSS v4: custom 'groovy' design system
- Radix UI: accessible primitives
- shadcn/ui: component library
- Geist: typography
Forms & validation
- React Hook Form: form state management
- Zod: schema validation
Additional
- Lucide React: icons
- date-fns: date utilities
- Recharts: data visualization
- next-themes: theme switching
Deployment
- Vercel: hosting & CI/CD
Highlights
Key technical achievements
- Privacy-first directory: connect with members through a secure directory with friend-based visibility controls
- Friends system: build connections with a friend-request system that respects boundaries
- Private mailing lists: topic-based groups with built-in privacy protection
- Shared calendar: community event tracking and coordination
- Messaging system: announcements and updates with granular privacy settings
- Granular privacy controls: users control who sees their information
Design philosophy
Combines serious privacy protection with a fun, approachable UI featuring playful animations, retro-inspired design elements, and an emphasis on user delight. The custom “groovy” design system makes community engagement enjoyable while never compromising on data security.