🔹 The Problem: Why Social Coding Can Feel Overwhelming
As a developer, I’ve always loved the logic of coding—but the social side? Not so much. Networking events, pair programming, and even asking for help in forums sometimes felt like navigating a maze blindfolded. And I’m not alone. Many neurodivergent or introverted coders (myself included) struggle with the pressure of constant interaction, even when we’re passionate about tech.
That’s when I thought: What if there was a space where you could code, learn, and create—without the social friction?
🚀 The Idea: An AI-Powered Safe Space
Enter Closeted Coders—a simple but powerful AI chat platform designed for developers who, like me, prefer a quieter, more independent learning environment.
Built with Next.js and deployed on Vercel, the site offers two key features:
- 🤖 AI Coding Assistant – Ask coding questions, debug errors, or brainstorm solutions in a judgment-free chat.
- 🎨 Dreamworks-Style AI Art Generator – Describe an image, and DALL·E brings it to life in vibrant, animated movie-style art.
No awkward interactions. No anxiety. Just pure, unfiltered coding + creativity.
💡 The Tech: How I Harnessed OpenAI’s API
This project was my first real dive into the OpenAI API, and it was a game-changer. Here’s how it works:
- Text Chat: A simple POST request sends user prompts to GPT, streaming back responses in a continuous conversation.
- Image Generation: A description is passed to DALL·E, which returns a whimsical, Dreamworks-inspired image.
The biggest lesson? AI doesn’t just automate tasks—it can also make technology more accessible.
🌱 Why This Matters
Not every coder thrives in loud, collaborative spaces—and that’s okay. With Closeted Coders, I wanted to create a low-pressure playground where neurodivergent and introverted devs can:
âś… Learn at their own pace
âś… Experiment without fear of judgment
âś… Express ideas visually, even if words are hard
It’s a small project, but it’s proof that AI can bridge gaps—not just in functionality, but in inclusivity.
🔜 What’s Next?
I’m already brainstorming upgrades:
- Customizable AI personalities (e.g., “Explain like I’m 10”)
- A “quiet mode” with minimal UI distractions
- Support for more animation styles (Pixar, Studio Ghibli?)
Have feedback or ideas?
I’d love to hear from fellow devs who resonate with this! Drop a comment or try it out:
Deployed on Vercel: https://closeted-coders-ai-chat.vercel.app/
GitHub repo: https://github.com/tomdu3/nextjs-a—chatbot