ConvoCards: Talk about what matters

Real conversations, powered by real-time AI. ConvoCards sparks deeper, more meaningful connections — whether with others or with yourself. Talk about what matters, backed by trusted insights.

Comment 1

Inspiration

I wanted to create something that goes beyond small talk - something that sparks real conversations, about real things. With the power of real-time AI, ConvoCards was born: a simple but powerful tool to help people connect, reflect, and have conversations that actually matter - grounded in real-world insights..

What it does

ConvoCards generates real-time conversation starters based on the topic, mood, and mode you select. It pulls credible, up-to-date information using Perplexity's Sonar API and presents it in a clean, engaging conversation card.

Feeling introspective? There's also a Self-Reflection Mode, designed for solo reflection and personal growth.

How I built it

I built a full-stack web application with:

  • Frontend: HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript
  • Backend: Node.js with Express
  • API integration: Perplexity’s Sonar API for real-time, sourced prompts
  • Deployment: Google App Engine (live at https://convocards-app-devpost.ey.r.appspot.com/) I made sure to keep the code clean, modular, and lightweight - fast to load, easy to scale.

Challenges I ran into

  • Fine-tuning the API prompts to get consistent, high-quality outputs with proper context and sources.
  • Parsing the AI's responses reliably, since even small format glitches could break the card layout.
  • Designing a UI that feels inspiring without overwhelming the user - balance was key.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

  • Building a fully working, real-time app from scratch in a tight timeframe.
  • Creating a conversation tool that feels fresh, relevant, and genuinely easy to use.
  • Adding a flexible Self-Reflection Mode to make ConvoCards more versatile and personal.

What I learned

  • How to optimize prompts specifically for Perplexity’s Sonar API (a bit different from traditional LLM prompting!).
  • How to design effectively for multi-user (Classic Mode) and single-user (Self-Reflection Mode) experiences.
  • How small UX decisions can completely change how an app "feels" - it's all in the details.

What's next for ConvoCards

  • Adding a "Save This Conversation" feature and one-click "Share This Card" options.
  • Building a personal dashboard where users can track their conversation history and reflections.
  • Further polishing the mobile experience for an even smoother flow.
  • Growing ConvoCards into a full platform - because real conversations can genuinely make a real difference.
Share this project:

Updates