SentriVault

Inspiration

Before I ever thought of building an app, I attended a webinar on data security. It wasn’t anything fancy just people talking about how easily our personal information can be stolen or misused online.

And I remember thinking:

What if I could build something? Something simple, something helpful, something that protects people from that?

That was the spark. That’s when SentriVault was born not from code or AI, but from that small moment of wanting to help people feel safe online.

I imagined a tool where anyone, no matter how tech-savvy, could store sensitive files, check if a website is fake, and protect their passwords or bank info without fear. Just something useful, safe, and easy to trust.

But honestly, I wouldn’t have built this if it weren’t for the people around me. My dad and my family were a huge part of this journey. They kept reminding me:

Try it. You never know what you’re capable of. And my mom, she would always say: Don’t give up. Keep going. Those words meant more than anything when I felt stuck, confused, or frustrated. And yes I struggled a lot. I had moments I wanted to quit, moments I doubted myself. But those voices her voice kept me moving.

What it does

SentriVault is a Web3-inspired privacy app that helps people:

🔐 Securely upload and store personal files like IDs, photos, and bank documents

🛡️ Detect fake or dangerous websites before clicking on them

🔑 Manage sensitive information like passwords and security keys

📊 Visualize activity and file usage through a clean dashboard with charts

The app’s goal is simple: give people peace of mind when handling sensitive data online even if they don’t know much about tech.

How i built it

I built the project using Bolt.new, which was the core of the entire process. Bolt’s no-code AI builder helped me generate UI components and workflows using prompts.

Then I extended the functionality with:

React + Vite for the project structure

Tailwind CSS for styling and layout

Chart.js to visualize file activity

Netlify for deployment

GitHub to manage and push my code

The app was originally built as a fully Web3 application with wallet login, IPFS integration, and more. However, due to size limits and Bolt’s capacity, I had to simplify it to a semi Web3 version still powerful, but lighter and stable for users.

Challenges i ran into

There were many technical challenges along the way and some emotional ones too.

I had already built the full Web3 version, but the app became too heavy and stopped loading on my Bolt screen.

I asked Bolt to remove the large parts, but unfortunately, some of the key Web3 components got removed too.

I couldn’t add them back in time because my Bolt credit finished, and I was stuck. I was overwhelmed and almost cried thinking, “How will I finish this project and submit it?”

But I reminded myself:

If one way doesn’t work, another will. So I downloaded the code manually ,did some few twicks, deployed it to Netlify, and pushed it to GitHub. Even though some features were lost, the project still came out beautifully and I’m truly grateful for that.

Also, recording a full 3-minute demo video for the first time hearing my work out loud was nerve-wracking. becouse i am a very shy person, But I faced every challenge, one by one.

Please note: I accidentally added my second GitHub account as a collaborator. It’s still me I’m the only person who built this project

Accomplishments that i am proud of

Turning a personal idea into a working, live product

Learning how to adapt, even when major features had to be removed

Creating a useful, beautiful app with real impact

Building everything myself, without formal training

Recording a full demo with voiceover narration

Most of all: not giving up when it got hard

What we learned

More than anything, I learned how to believe in myself.

I also learned:

How to build a real app using AI prompts

How to fix bugs like Netlify blank screen issues

How to work with file uploads, APIs, and secure storage logic

How to write cleaner code and manage deployment

And how to tell my story both through my app and through my writings

This was more than just a project it was a personal breakthrough.

What's next for SentriVault

SentriVault already protects files, detects fake websites, and keeps sensitive data safe but there’s more coming, Gods Willing.

Next, I plan to:

Reintroduce Web3 features like IPFS, wallet login, and smart contracts

Add support for multiple users and better authentication

Make the website checker smarter with real-time threat detection

Improve mobile responsiveness and offline access

Move closer to full decentralization for total user control

This app may have started small, but I see big potential especially for users in regions where security tools aren’t easy to find or trust. This started as a simple idea now it’s a tool I hope can protect people everywhere. And I’m just getting started.

🙏 Final Note

I'm incredibly thankful to Bolt.new and all the hackathon sponsors for giving me this opportunity. You didn’t just give me tools you gave me the chance to dream bigger, push harder, and make something real. You gave me something my dad can be proud of, and something I can be proud of, too.

Whether I win or not I already feel like I’ve won something that matters.

Thank you so much for reading. Blessing