System Requirements Document (SRD) for gilded-profiles

1. Introduction

The gilded-profiles project aims to create a modern web application that connects professionals with companies and startups for direct hiring or job applications. The platform will emphasize simplicity, speed, and efficiency, eliminating complex hiring processes. Designed for users in India (IN), the system will cater to both individual professionals and employers, providing a seamless experience for profile creation, talent search, and direct communication.

This document outlines the system requirements for gilded-profiles, ensuring alignment with the project's goals and user expectations.

2. System Overview

gilded-profiles is a dual-purpose platform designed to serve two primary user groups: professionals seeking job opportunities and companies/startups looking to hire talent. The system will feature:

• User authentication and profile creation.
• Employer authentication and talent search.
• A real-time chat system for direct communication.
• A clean, modern UI with responsive design for both web and mobile platforms.
• A focus on fast loading times and intuitive navigation.

The platform will adhere to locale-specific defaults for India, including time zones (IST), currency (INR), and user preferences.

3. Functional Requirements

User Features:

• As a User, I should be able to sign up and log in using email and password.
• As a User, I should be able to verify my phone number (optional).
• As a User, I should be able to create a profile with fields like full name, profile photo, bio, skills, experience level, portfolio links, and contact info.
• As a User, I should be able to toggle "Open to Work" status.
• As a User, I should be able to apply for jobs or indicate availability for freelance work.
• As a User, I should be able to upload project images or links with descriptions in my portfolio.
• As a User, I should be able to chat with employers in real-time.

Employer Features:

• As an Employer, I should be able to sign up and log in with company details.
• As an Employer, I should be able to search for talent by skills and filter by experience level.
• As an Employer, I should be able to view user profiles, portfolios, and social links.
• As an Employer, I should be able to directly hire or contact users via "Hire Now" and "Chat" buttons.

Chat System:

• As a User or Employer, I should be able to send and receive real-time messages.

4. User Personas

1. Professional User (Talent)

• Description: Individuals seeking job opportunities or freelance work.
• Goals: Showcase their skills, connect with employers, and secure work opportunities.
• Key Features: Profile creation, portfolio uploads, job applications, and real-time chat.

2. Employer (Company/Startup)

• Description: Companies or startups looking to hire talent.
• Goals: Search for skilled professionals, view profiles, and directly hire or contact candidates.
• Key Features: Talent search, profile viewing, and direct actions like "Hire Now" and "Chat."

5. Visuals Colors and Theme

Color Palette:

• Background: #F5F7FA (light mode), #1E1E2F (dark mode)
• Surface: #FFFFFF (light mode), #2B2B3C (dark mode)
• Text: #333333 (light mode), #EAEAEA (dark mode)
• Accent: #FF6F61 (primary action color)
• Muted Tones: #B0BEC5 (light mode), #4A4A5E (dark mode)

The color palette is designed to evoke professionalism and modernity while ensuring readability and accessibility.

6. Signature Design Concept

The gilded-profiles homepage will feature an interactive "Profile Galaxy". Users will see a dynamic 3D galaxy where each star represents a professional profile. Hovering over a star will display a preview of the user's profile, including their name, skills, and experience level. Clicking on a star will take the user to the full profile.

Key Features:

• Animations: Smooth transitions as users navigate the galaxy, with stars gently pulsing to indicate activity.
• Color Shifts: The galaxy's background will subtly change hues based on the time of day (e.g., warm tones in the morning, cool tones at night).
• Micro-Interactions: Stars will "twinkle" when hovered over, and clicking will create a ripple effect.
• Mobile Adaptation: On mobile, the galaxy will transform into a scrollable list with similar interactive elements.

This concept ensures the homepage is visually captivating and sets the tone for the platform's innovative approach.

7. Non-Functional Requirements

• Performance: The platform must load within 2 seconds on standard broadband connections.
• Scalability: Support up to 1 million users with seamless performance.
• Security: Implement secure authentication and encrypted communication.
• Accessibility: Ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 standards.
• Localization: Default settings tailored for Indian users (e.g., IST timezone, INR currency).

8. Tech Stack

Frontend:

• React for Web
• React Native for Mobile App

Backend:

• Python with FastAPI

Database:

• MySQL (with Alembic for migrations)

AI Models:

• GPT 5.4 for user-friendly responses

AI Tools:

• LangChain
• LiteLLM for LLM Routing

Orchestration:

• Docker and Docker-Compose for local development
• Kubernetes for server-side orchestration

9. Assumptions and Constraints

Assumptions:

• Users will primarily access the platform via web and mobile devices.
• Employers will prefer direct actions like "Hire Now" over complex workflows.
• Indian users will expect locale-specific defaults (e.g., INR currency).

Constraints:

• The MVP must be delivered within 3 months.
• The system must operate efficiently on standard broadband connections.

10. Glossary

• MVP: Minimum Viable Product
• IST: Indian Standard Time
• WCAG: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
• LLM: Large Language Model
• UI: User Interface
• UX: User Experience
• RDBMS: Relational Database Management System