Small Grant: DecaNotes - Private decentralized notes

Grants Complete
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Demo videos:

22

Grant Progress Report ā€“ October

Progress resumed after earlier paperwork delays; the current cycle focused on solidifying the editor UX, hardening the plugin layer, and closing out extended-Markdown support.

Highlights

Next Steps

  1. Helia remains out-of-scope for Expo/React Native (native bindings missing), so the follow-up milestone will target a direct Pinner.xyz API integration instead.
  2. Expand collaborative features: introduce workspaces, explore a web build, and address the open bug list (tables, video blocks, assorted UI glitches).

Community & Support

  • GitHub issues are enabled with issue/feature-request templatesā€”new bugs or enhancement ideas are welcome via the tracker: Sign in to GitHub Ā· GitHub
  • Pinner.xyz integration, workspace support, web build, and bug fixes will be captured as GitHub issues for community visibility as the roadmap progresses.

Repository: GitHub - StringNick/decanotes

P.S.: Release assets and distribution flow for App Store / Play Store submissions; storefront links and the video demo will follow in the few hours/day.

23

Hello @StringNick,

Thank you for your final progress report and congratulations on completing your grant!
The Team will reach out to you shortly regarding the wind-down of your grant.

Regards,
Kino on behalf of the Sia Foundation and Grants Committee

24

Hi @StringNick - please reformat your report to follow the Development Guide guidelines for ease of technical review.

And since this is the final report for your grant, reference the Monthly Grant Report Template | Sia (at the bottom) for the missing items that will also need to be included.

You can tag me in a reply to let me know when itā€™s fully ready for review.

25

DecaNotes ā€” Final Grant Report

Executive Summary

In October 2025, DecaNotes reached a stable MVP blockā€‘based Markdown editor, clientā€‘side encryption architecture, and a working renterd storage integration. This cycle focused on extended Markdown parity (including tables), editor UX stability (autosave, focus/scroll, keyboard ergonomics), storage/auth hardening, and distributionā€‘readiness (versioning, app metadata, privacy policy, documentation).

Repository: GitHub - StringNick/decanotes

Objectives vs. Deliverables

Technical Highlights

Environment

  • Framework: React Native with Expo SDK 54 (updated from 53)
  • Languages: TypeScript
  • Tooling: Bun (tests), Expo CLI

Build & Run (Reproducibility)

Verification Notes

Community & Compliance

Risks, Constraints, Lessons

  • Constraint: IPFS Helia lacks native RN/Expo bindings; IPFS path disabled in UI pending a hosted pinner API integration. feat(ui): disable IPFS methodā€¦
  • Lessons:
    • Persisted settings and explicit save feedback reduce dataā€‘loss risk.
    • Exposing build/commit inā€‘app improves reproducibility for technical review and user reports.

Next Steps (Postā€‘Grant)

  • Integrate a hosted pinner API for IPFSā€‘compatible workflows while keeping renterd primary.
  • Explore a web build; add workspaces/collaboration; address bug list (tables/video blocks polish).
  • Finalize App Store / Play Store distribution using updated icon/splash assets. chore(app): update app.json icon and splashā€¦

Status

Completed. Reformatted per Development Guide/Monthly Template for technical review, with explicit deliverables, reproducible build/run steps, verification, and artifacts.

Latest build, demo: https://youtube.com/shorts/OYT2dGBNAR8

26

Hi @StringNick - this is the final notice for your October final report.

As discussed over email, the above report is still not compliant with the format required in the Development Guidelines and your timeline will need to be updated given the delay with posting your app to Apple and Play Stores.

Please post your full and complete report by 9am ET tomorrow (November 4th), to be able to still receive your technical review during this review cycle, otherwise this will add to delays to payment.

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DecaNotes Progress Final Report

Progress Reporting

Milestone Task Pull Request(s) Additional Notes
1: Advanced Editor Features & Block Management 1. Multi-level quote support with depth handling 28b8a19 Quote block enhancements with proper depth management and multi-line support
1: Advanced Editor Features & Block Management 2. Font styling and component layout refactoring a7f63b8 Simplified font styling patterns and improved component layouts
1: Advanced Editor Features & Block Management 3. Enhanced MarkdownEditorRef API and keyboard handling 622fc1b Added new methods and improved keyboard event handling
1: Advanced Editor Features & Block Management 4. Table block support with markdown parsing 17f87cb Full table block functionality with markdown parsing
2: Editor Infrastructure & Focus Management 1. FocusManager and virtualized FlatList implementation 4a904ef (Develop #2) FocusManager component for block focus/scroll; replaced ScrollView with virtualized FlatList
2: Editor Infrastructure & Focus Management 2. Focus handles on built-in block plugins 4a904ef Converted all built-in blocks to use forwardRef + useImperativeHandle
2: Editor Infrastructure & Focus Management 3. Block action toolbar and improved quote handling 4a904ef BlockActionToolbar for block management; depth management
2: Editor Infrastructure & Focus Management 4. Keyboard controller integration and reveal flow 4a904ef Optional keyboard controller; improved focus/scroll reveal lifecycle
2: Editor Infrastructure & Focus Management 5. Large cleanup and feature improvements 4a904ef Comprehensive refactoring across core, plugins, UI with improved error handling
3: Editor Features & User Experience 1. Blocks ā†” Markdown toggle functionality a24d597 (PR #4) Convert between block-based editor and raw markdown view
3: Editor Features & User Experience 2. Markdown to blocks parsing with plugins 172655c (PR #5) Markdown parser uses built-in plugins for proper block creation
3: Editor Features & User Experience 3. Debounced auto-save functionality 05e5ab6 Auto-save with debouncing and save-status toast notifications
3: Editor Features & User Experience 4. Auto-save setting persistence 2344377 Persist auto-save preference in settings
3: Editor Features & User Experience 5. Add block button UI 4a904ef Visible ā€œAdd blockā€ button replaces invisible tap area
3: Editor Features & User Experience 6. Keyboard dismissal on block actions 4a904ef Keyboard dismisses when opening block menu or inserting
4: App Configuration & Settings 1. GitHub issues template and documentation 49da486 (PR #3) GitHub issue templates; cleaned up documentation
4: App Configuration & Settings 2. App icon and splash configuration 1913613 Updated adaptive icons and splash images for iOS/Android
4: App Configuration & Settings 3. Dynamic app version display e084880 & d438e92 Version display with build number; commit hash linking to GitHub
4: App Configuration & Settings 4. Privacy policy implementation d438e92 Added PRIVACY-POLICY.md documentation
4: App Configuration & Settings 5. Settings UI improvements 7fc2b2f Removed notifications toggle; Help & Support opens GitHub issues
5: Storage & Backend Improvements 1. Base-64 renterd authentication 88d55b2 Renterd backend uses base-64 encoding for auth
5: Storage & Backend Improvements 2. IPFS feature removal from UI eaf2168 Removed IPFS mentions and export from UI
6: UI/UX Enhancements 1. IPFS method disabled with simplified filters 0741848 IPFS storage option disabled; simplified filters
6: UI/UX Enhancements 2. Theme picker implementation 0741848 Replaced theme switch with comprehensive picker
6: UI/UX Enhancements 3. Typography and elevation improvements 0741848 Enhanced typography consistency; added elevation system
6: UI/UX Enhancements 4. Animated block wrappers 4a904ef AnimatedBlockWrapper for smooth focus animations
6: UI/UX Enhancements 5. Enhanced focus states 4a904ef Animated focus states with background/border transitions
7: Dependencies & Build Configuration 1. Dependency updates 4a904ef Updated expo, react, react-native, reanimated and others
7: Dependencies & Build Configuration 2. Bundle identifier update 4a904ef Enhanced production build configuration
7: Dependencies & Build Configuration 3. Build system improvements 4a904ef Improved build consistency across targets

App Store: ā€ŽDecaNotes App - App Store
PlayMarket: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stringnick.decanotes

1 Like
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Hi @StringNick - great to see the breakdown of your commits for your work but you are missing other elements to your final report so we can hear more fully about your process for this grant. You can copy and paste the questions we need answered to mark this a complete final report from the template at the bottom of this webpage.

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Final Report ā€” DecaNotes (Small Grant, Sia Foundation)

What progress was made on your grant this month?
A significant portion of the Markdown editor and renderer has been implemented, along with a large test suite for the renderer. I additionally built a custom Markdown editor (outside the original grant allocation). Environment and UX were improved: inā€‘app version with commit hash, dynamic build number, themes, and visual polish. Basic auth (baseā€‘64) for renterd and the save flow were corrected. The IPFS path is temporarily disabled in the UI due to missing native RN/Expo bindings (planned workaround via a hosted pinner API).

Detail tasks worked on this month per milestone with the appropriate Pull Request(s) links as outlined in the guide:

DecaNotes Progress Report: October - November 2025

Progress Reporting

Milestone Task Pull Request(s) Additional Notes
1: Advanced Editor Features & Block Management 1. Multi-level quote support with depth handling 28b8a19 Quote block enhancements with proper depth management and multi-line support
1: Advanced Editor Features & Block Management 2. Font styling and component layout refactoring a7f63b8 Simplified font styling patterns and improved component layouts
1: Advanced Editor Features & Block Management 3. Enhanced MarkdownEditorRef API and keyboard handling 622fc1b Added new methods and improved keyboard event handling
1: Advanced Editor Features & Block Management 4. Table block support with markdown parsing 17f87cb Full table block functionality with markdown parsing
2: Editor Infrastructure & Focus Management 1. FocusManager and virtualized FlatList implementation 4a904ef (Develop #2) FocusManager component for block focus/scroll; replaced ScrollView with virtualized FlatList
2: Editor Infrastructure & Focus Management 2. Focus handles on built-in block plugins 4a904ef Converted all built-in blocks to use forwardRef + useImperativeHandle
2: Editor Infrastructure & Focus Management 3. Block action toolbar and improved quote handling 4a904ef BlockActionToolbar for block management; depth management
2: Editor Infrastructure & Focus Management 4. Keyboard controller integration and reveal flow 4a904ef Optional keyboard controller; improved focus/scroll reveal lifecycle
2: Editor Infrastructure & Focus Management 5. Large cleanup and feature improvements 4a904ef Comprehensive refactoring across core, plugins, UI with improved error handling
3: Editor Features & User Experience 1. Blocks ā†” Markdown toggle functionality a24d597 (PR #4) Convert between block-based editor and raw markdown view
3: Editor Features & User Experience 2. Markdown to blocks parsing with plugins 172655c (PR #5) Markdown parser uses built-in plugins for proper block creation
3: Editor Features & User Experience 3. Debounced auto-save functionality 05e5ab6 Auto-save with debouncing and save-status toast notifications
3: Editor Features & User Experience 4. Auto-save setting persistence 2344377 Persist auto-save preference in settings
3: Editor Features & User Experience 5. Add block button UI 4a904ef Visible ā€œAdd blockā€ button replaces invisible tap area
3: Editor Features & User Experience 6. Keyboard dismissal on block actions 4a904ef Keyboard dismisses when opening block menu or inserting
4: App Configuration & Settings 1. GitHub issues template and documentation 49da486 (PR #3) GitHub issue templates; cleaned up documentation
4: App Configuration & Settings 2. App icon and splash configuration 1913613 Updated adaptive icons and splash images for iOS/Android
4: App Configuration & Settings 3. Dynamic app version display e084880 & d438e92 Version display with build number; commit hash linking to GitHub
4: App Configuration & Settings 4. Privacy policy implementation d438e92 Added PRIVACY-POLICY.md documentation
4: App Configuration & Settings 5. Settings UI improvements 7fc2b2f Removed notifications toggle; Help & Support opens GitHub issues
5: Storage & Backend Improvements 1. Base-64 renterd authentication 88d55b2 Renterd backend uses base-64 encoding for auth
5: Storage & Backend Improvements 2. IPFS feature removal from UI eaf2168 Removed IPFS mentions and export from UI
6: UI/UX Enhancements 1. IPFS method disabled with simplified filters 0741848 IPFS storage option disabled; simplified filters
6: UI/UX Enhancements 2. Theme picker implementation 0741848 Replaced theme switch with comprehensive picker
6: UI/UX Enhancements 3. Typography and elevation improvements 0741848 Enhanced typography consistency; added elevation system
6: UI/UX Enhancements 4. Animated block wrappers 4a904ef AnimatedBlockWrapper for smooth focus animations
6: UI/UX Enhancements 5. Enhanced focus states 4a904ef Animated focus states with background/border transitions
7: Dependencies & Build Configuration 1. Dependency updates 4a904ef Updated expo, react, react-native, reanimated and others
7: Dependencies & Build Configuration 2. Bundle identifier update 4a904ef Enhanced production build configuration
7: Dependencies & Build Configuration 3. Build system improvements 4a904ef Improved build consistency across targets

Link to an easy to test version or a demo video.

  • Demo video: add the link to the published preview once uploaded.
  • If needed, provide test credentials for a preā€‘funded account/sandbox to validate integrations (renterd), plus brief build/run/verify steps.

Provide an overall summary of everything achieved during this grant.
DecaNotes delivers private decentralized notes with primary storage via renterd and a custom, advanced Markdown editor. Achievements include: a rich block/inline editor, offline local storage, baseline renterd integration, transparent build/versioning inā€‘app (commit/build), and UX/theme improvements. The IPFS path is temporarily disabled, with a planned integration via a hosted pinner API to preserve compatibility while keeping renterd as the primary backend.

If there were challenges you experienced and/or any work you werenā€™t able to complete, list it here.

  • IPFS (Helia) lacks native RN/Expo bindings; IPFS functionality is disabled in the UI pending hosted pinner API integration: feat(ui): disable IPFS methodā€¦
  • Some renderer polish items (tables/video blocks) remain in the bug list and are targeted postā€‘grant.

What lessons have you learned as a result of this grant?

  • Persisted settings and explicit save feedback reduce dataā€‘loss risk.
  • Exposing build/commit inā€‘app improves reproducibility for technical reviews and user bug reports.
  • Decomposing into blocks/inlines simplifies testing and accelerates editor/renderer work.

What are you most proud of about your work on this grant?

  • A highā€‘functioning custom Markdown editor with a rich block model and thoughtful UX.
  • Reliable renterd storage integration and a clear save flow.
  • Transparent, reproducible app builds with inā€‘app versioning that aid QA and review.

Demo video:

1 Like
30

This appears to be the template content here - do you have a demo version or test video to include @StringNick ?

1 Like
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hey, sorry forgot about demo, i added it in a post above

2 Likes
32

Hello @StringNick - congratulations, your final technical review was successful!

This grant will be marked as ā€˜Completeā€™ here on the Forum and you will be sent an offboarding email soon.

Thank you for continuing to build on Sia.