System Requirements Document for zimpals

1. Introduction

zimpals is a modern mobile social networking application designed to provide a vibrant and engaging platform for chatting, status updates, and short-form vertical videos. Targeted at a youthful audience, the app aims to deliver a clean, premium interface that is easy to navigate, fast, and engaging.

2. System Overview

zimpals offers a comprehensive social networking experience with features such as personalized feeds, real-time messaging, and dynamic video content. The app is structured around five main sections accessible via bottom navigation: Home, Videos, Status, Chats, and Profile. It supports user authentication and provides a notification center, global search, and content creation capabilities. The application is mobile-first, ensuring responsiveness, scalability, and security.

2a. Product Interpretation and Delivery Boundary

zimpals is delivered as a mobile-first application with a focus on private user features accessible only after authentication. The app uses a dark/light interface with a distinctive primary accent color, ensuring a premium social-media appearance. The backend supports persistent data storage and real-time processing, ensuring a seamless user experience. Anonymous users are introduced to the app via a Landing page, while authenticated users gain access to private features through a Login page.

2b. Source Content Inventory

Not applicable as no explicit content_source directive is provided.

2c. Page Content and Component Coverage

Landing

• Information/State: Introduction to the app's features and focus areas.
• Primary Actions: Navigate to Login or Sign Up.
• Components: Informational text, call-to-action buttons.
• States: Loading, error.

Login

• Information/State: User credentials input.
• Primary Actions: Login, Forgot Password, Sign Up.
• Components: Email/phone input, password input, login button.
• States: Loading, error, success.

Home

• Information/State: Personalized social feed.
• Primary Actions: Like, comment, share, save posts, create post.
• Components: Post cards, status/stories strip, create post button.
• States: Loading, empty feed, error.

Videos

• Information/State: Short-form vertical video feed.
• Primary Actions: Like, comment, share, save videos, follow creator.
• Components: Video player, interaction buttons, tabs (For You, Following).
• States: Loading, empty feed, error.

Status

• Information/State: User statuses.
• Primary Actions: Create, view, reply, react to statuses.
• Components: Status creation tools, status viewer.
• States: Loading, empty, error.

Chats

• Information/State: List of conversations.
• Primary Actions: Search, start conversation, send messages.
• Components: Search bar, conversation list, message input.
• States: Loading, empty, error.

Conversation

• Information/State: Real-time messaging interface.
• Primary Actions: Send text, emoji, image, video, voice messages.
• Components: Message bubbles, input field, send button.
• States: Loading, error.

Profile

• Information/State: User profile details.
• Primary Actions: Edit profile, follow/unfollow, message.
• Components: Profile header, tabs (Posts, Videos, Saved).
• States: Loading, error.

Notifications

• Information/State: User notifications.
• Primary Actions: View notifications, mark as read.
• Components: Notification list, unread indicator.
• States: Loading, empty, error.

Search

• Information/State: Search results.
• Primary Actions: Search users, videos, posts, hashtags.
• Components: Search bar, result sections.
• States: Loading, no results, error.

Create

• Information/State: Content creation options.
• Primary Actions: Create post, status, upload video.
• Components: Creation tools, media upload.
• States: Loading, error.

3. Functional Requirements

• As an Authenticated User, I should be able to view a personalized social feed with text, image, and video posts, and engage with them through likes, comments, shares, and saves. (explicit)
• As an Authenticated User, I should be able to create and view short-form vertical videos, with options to like, comment, share, save, and follow creators. (explicit)
• As an Authenticated User, I should be able to create, view, reply to, react to, and delete statuses, with statuses expiring after 24 hours. (explicit)
• As an Authenticated User, I should be able to engage in real-time messaging, including sending text, emojis, images, videos, and voice messages. (explicit)
• As an Authenticated User, I should be able to view and edit my profile, including profile picture, cover, bio, and social actions. (explicit)
• As an Authenticated User, I should be able to authenticate using email/phone, and manage my login credentials. (explicit)
• As an Authenticated User, I should be able to receive notifications for social interactions and manage them through a notification center. (explicit)
• As an Authenticated User, I should be able to search for users, videos, posts, and hashtags globally. (explicit)
• As an Authenticated User, I should be able to create posts, statuses, and upload videos with metadata. (explicit)

4. User Personas

• Authenticated User: Engages with the app's private features, including browsing and creating content, messaging, searching, following, reacting, saving, managing notifications, and editing their profile.

5. Core User Flows

1. Authentication Flow:

   • User lands on the Landing page.
   • User navigates to Login or Sign Up.
   • User enters credentials and logs in.
   • User accesses private features.

2. Home Feed Interaction:

   • User views personalized feed.
   • User engages with posts (like, comment, share, save).
   • User creates a new post.

3. Video Feed Interaction:

   • User navigates to Videos.
   • User swipes through videos, engaging with them.
   • User follows creators and views profiles.

4. Status Interaction:

   • User creates a new status.
   • User views and reacts to others' statuses.
   • User deletes or replies to statuses.

5. Messaging Interaction:

   • User searches for contacts.
   • User starts a conversation.
   • User sends and receives messages in real-time.

6. Profile Management:

   • User views their profile.
   • User edits profile details.
   • User follows/unfollows other users.

7. Notification Management:

   • User views notifications.
   • User marks notifications as read.

8. Search and Discovery:

   • User enters search queries.
   • User views organized search results.

9. Content Creation:

   • User taps the create button.
   • User selects content type (post, status, video).
   • User completes creation and posts content.

6. Visuals Colors and Theme

• Muse: Jessica Walsh
• Palette (dark mode):
  • Background: #1B1B1B
  • Surface: #2C2C2C
  • Text: #FFFFFF
  • Primary: #FF4081
  • Accent: #FFEB3B
  • Muted: #757575
• Typography:
  • Headings: Archivo Black — Bold, oversized
  • Body: Sora
  • Scale: 1.5 modular (64/48/32/24/16)
• Shape Language: Bold color fields, overlapping shapes, sticker-like elements
• Layout: Full-bleed type compositions, overlapping UI elements
• Motion: Bouncy scale-ins, marquee text, color flips on hover

7. Signature Design Concept

A vibrant full-bleed video with interactive buttons on the right and caption and username at the bottom left, using hot pink and yellow accents. This design leverages the playful maximalism theme, ensuring immediate engagement and visual appeal.

8. Interaction Model & Motion Direction

• Interaction Model: Animated
• Motion Tempo: Expressive
• Hero Dimensionality: Layered_2d
• Landing Hero Motion Brief: A vibrant full-bleed video with interactive buttons on the right, caption and username at the bottom left, using hot pink and yellow accents. Bouncy entrance animations and interactive hover states with color flips and animations.

9. Non-Functional Requirements

• Performance: The application must be fast and responsive.
• Scalability: The system should handle a growing number of users and data.
• Security: Ensure secure authentication and data protection.
• Usability: The app should be intuitive and easy to navigate.
• Reliability: Ensure high availability and minimal downtime.

10. Tech Stack

• Frontend: React Native
• Backend: Python/FastAPI
• Database: PostgreSQL
• Storage: AWS S3 for media
• Authentication: Firebase Authentication
• Deployment: Docker, Kubernetes

11. Assumptions and Constraints

• The application is designed for mobile-first use.
• Users must authenticate to access private features.
• Status content automatically disappears after 24 hours.
• Real persistent data is used instead of dummy data.
• The design follows a modern, youthful aesthetic with a distinctive primary accent color.

12. Glossary

• Authenticated User: A user who has logged into the application and can access private features.
• Status: Temporary content that disappears after 24 hours, similar to stories on other platforms.
• Short-form Video: Vertical videos designed for quick consumption, similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels.
• Real-time Messaging: Instant communication between users, including text, media, and voice messages.