System Requirements Document (SRD)

Project Name: Syndicate

1. Introduction

Welcome to the System Requirements Document (SRD) for Syndicate, a modern, scalable web and mobile application designed to empower users to compete intellectually, prove their skills, and connect with high-performing individuals.

This document outlines the functional and non-functional requirements, design concepts, and technical specifications for the development of Syndicate. The platform is tailored for students and early professionals in India (IN) and globally, with a focus on creating a premium, performance-driven ecosystem.

2. System Overview

Syndicate is a performance-based platform where users engage in intellectual challenges, earn reputation, gain certifications, and connect with like-minded individuals. The application will feature a sleek, modern interface with smooth animations and a dark theme, ensuring a premium experience for users.

Key features include:

• Animated Google login for seamless onboarding.
• A challenge system to test intelligence and skills.
• Leaderboards to rank users based on performance.
• Token-based rewards and certificates for achievements.
• Networking tools for quality-based connections and collaborations.

The platform is optimized for both web and mobile devices, ensuring accessibility and responsiveness across all user touchpoints.

3. Functional Requirements

Authentication

• As a User, I should be able to log in or sign up using Google with animated transitions.
• As a User, I should be able to log in using email and password.

Dashboard

• As a User, I should see active challenges, my rank, and token balance on the dashboard.

Challenge System

• As a User, I should be able to view challenge cards with title, description, and difficulty.
• As a User, I should be able to click "Attempt Challenge" to participate.

Submission System

• As a User, I should be able to submit text answers for challenges.
• As a User, I should have my submissions stored with user_id, challenge_id, answer, and timestamp.

Evaluation System

• As a User, I should be able to upvote peer submissions.
• As an Admin, I should be able to enable AI scoring for submissions.

Leaderboard System

• As a User, I should see ranks based on votes and performance.
• As a User, I should see the top 3 users highlighted monthly.
• As an Admin, I should be able to reset the leaderboard monthly and store past winners.

Token & Reward System

• As a User, I should earn tokens for submissions, wins, and leaderboard ranks.
• As a User, I should see my token balance and receive bonus rewards for top 3 monthly ranks.

Certificate System

• As a User, I should receive certificates for completing challenges and achieving milestones.
• As a User, I should be able to download certificates with my name, achievement, and date.

Profile System

• As a User, I should have a profile page displaying my name, bio, skills, achievements, certificates, and ranking history.
• As a User, I should see performance stats on my profile.

Socialization System

• As a User, I should discover recommended users based on similar challenge performance and interests.
• As a User, I should be able to connect with others and maintain a connections list.
• As a User, I should participate in topic-based discussion rooms (e.g., Business, Strategy, Debate).
• As a User, I should invite others to collaborate and form small teams.
• As a User, I should send and receive 1-to-1 messages with connections.

4. User Personas

Admin

• Manages platform settings, leaderboards, and AI scoring.

User

• Competes in challenges, earns tokens, and connects with others.

Guest

• Browses the platform but cannot participate in challenges or connect with users.

5. Visuals Colors and Theme

Color Palette:

• Background: #0D1B2A
• Surface: #1B263B
• Text: #E0E1DD
• Accent: #778DA9
• Muted: #415A77

The dark theme reflects a modern, premium aesthetic while ensuring readability and visual appeal.

6. Signature Design Concept

Interactive Galaxy Map Homepage

The homepage will feature an interactive galaxy map where each star represents a feature or section of the platform. Users can hover over stars to reveal tooltips and click to navigate to specific modules (e.g., Challenges, Leaderboards, Profiles).

• Animations: Stars twinkle subtly, and constellations form dynamically as users interact.
• Transitions: Smooth zoom-in effects when navigating between sections.
• Micro-interactions: Clicking a star triggers a ripple effect across the galaxy.
• Color Shifts: The galaxy background subtly changes hues based on the time of day (e.g., blue for morning, purple for evening).

This bold design ensures Syndicate leaves a lasting impression while emphasizing its futuristic, intellectual identity.

7. Non-Functional Requirements

• Scalability to support thousands of concurrent users.
• High responsiveness across web and mobile platforms.
• Secure authentication and data storage.
• Modular architecture for easy feature expansion.
• Compliance with GDPR and Indian data protection laws.

8. Tech Stack

Frontend

• React for Web
• React Native for Mobile

Backend

• Python
• FastAPI

Database

• MySQL (with Alembic for migrations)

AI Models

• GPT 5.4 for user-friendly responses
• Claude 4.6 Opas for academic or coding work

AI Tools

• Litellm for LLM Routing
• Langchain

Orchestration

• Docker and docker-compose for local development
• Kubernetes for server-side orchestration

9. Assumptions and Constraints

• Users will primarily access the platform via mobile devices.
• The platform will operate in the IST timezone by default.
• Initial launch will target English-speaking users.
• AI scoring will be optional and implemented in later phases.

10. Glossary

• Challenge: A task or problem designed to test users' intelligence and skills.
• Token: A virtual currency earned through platform activities.
• Certificate: A digital document recognizing user achievements.
• Leaderboard: A ranking system based on user performance.
• Discussion Room: A topic-based space for user interaction.

Tagline:
"Compete. Prove your thinking. Connect with the best."

End of Document