Transitioning a flashcard-based learning platform to an offline-first approach using LocalStorage

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My platform is a flashcard tool focused on spaced repetition. The current logic is as follows:

  1. Data Structure:
  • Bubble: Manages users, decks, and subdecks.
  • Supabase: Stores original flashcards and progress data (interval, next review).
  1. Review Flow:
  • When a user clicks on a subdeck, Bubble fetches the flashcards from Supabase and creates a copy in the progress table.
  • During the review, the user rates each flashcard as “Easy,” “Medium,” or “Hard.”
  • Bubble updates the progress in Supabase one by one (each click generates an API call).
  1. Current Issues:
  • Internet Dependency: If the connection fails, the next flashcard is not displayed until the data is sent.
  • User Experience: Waiting for API confirmation makes the review process slow and frustrating.

#Why I Want to Use LocalStorage

To solve these issues, I’m considering migrating to an offline-first approach using LocalStorage. The idea is:

  1. Save Interactions Locally:
  • Each click on “Easy/Medium/Hard” would be saved immediately in LocalStorage, without waiting for Supabase.
  • The next flashcard would be displayed instantly, improving the user experience.
  1. Background Synchronization:
  • Periodically data would be sent in bulk to Supabase.
  • If the internet goes down, interactions would remain saved locally until the connection is restored.
  1. Expected Benefits:
  • Offline Resilience: Functionality without internet.
  • Smooth Experience: No delays between clicks.
  • Fewer API Calls: Reduced costs and backend load.

Community Help

If anyone has implemented something similar or has suggestions, I’d greatly appreciate it!

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We’ve successfully implemented exactly what you described using our CloudSignal platform along with some custom plugins we’ve developed internally.

CloudSignal.io offers comprehensive offline synchronization capabilities that address these requirements. Using our Studio environment, you can seamlessly integrate with any API, including external databases. Additionally, we’ve built several specialized plugins that interface with IndexedDB, enabling robust read/write operations during offline periods with automatic synchronization once connectivity is restored.

This solution provides the offline-first architecture you’re looking for while maintaining data integrity across connection states.

check out www.cloudsignal.io

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