The Curio is a hand-coded, high-fidelity search platform designed to bypass conventional search results in favor of obscure, rare, and “rabbit-hole” knowledge. It leverages AI (Google Gemini API) to restructure factual data into thematic clusters, encouraging deeper exploration of niche topics.
- Full-Stack Node.js Architecture: Migrated to a dedicated Express.js backend for secure API handling and environment variable protection.
- Multisource Fact Synthesis: Retrieves rare and verified facts from high-authority archives including NASA, PubMed, Internet Archive, CIA Public Files, Wikipedia, and Reddit.
- AI-Driven Categorization: Dynamically generates thematic "bubbles" (e.g., Law, Medicine, History) for every search term.
- Fact-Checking Integrity: Each information card includes a direct link to the original source, eliminating AI hallucinations.
- Personalized User Vault: Secure login, profile management (custom avatars via Supabase Storage), and persistent search history.
- Seamless UI/UX: Custom Light/Dark theme toggle with mobile-first, fully responsive design.
- Frontend: HTML5, CSS3, Vanilla JavaScript (ES6+)
- Backend: Node.js, Express.js
- Database / Auth: Supabase (PostgreSQL, Row Level Security, Cloud Storage)
- AI Integration: Google Gemini API
- Security: Dotenv (Environment Variable Management)
- Deployment: Netlify
- Clone the Repository
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/the-curio.git
cd the-curio
- Install Dependencies
npm install
- Create a .env file in the root directory to store server-side secrets:
GEMINI_API_KEY=your_google_gemini_key
PORT=3000
Note: Supabase URL and Anon Key are managed within the frontend public/js/auth.js to leverage PostgreSQL Row Level Security (RLS).
- Run the Server
npm start
The application will be available at http://localhost:3000
├── public/ # Client-side assets (The "Face")
│ ├── media/ # Character art & UI icons
│ ├── auth.js # Supabase Auth & PFP update logic
│ ├── script.js # Frontend engine & UI management
│ ├── style.css # Glassmorphism & responsive layouts
│ └── index.html # Main entry point
├── server/ # Server-side logic (The "Brain")
│ ├── ai.js # Gemini API integration
│ └── fetch.js # External data synthesis logic
├── .env # Secure API keys (ignored by Git)
├── server.js # Express server entry point
└── package.json # Node.js dependencies & scripts
- User enters a topic or search term.
- Frontend sends the query to the Node.js server.
- Server fetches verified facts via AI and external sources.
- Results are organized into dynamic thematic bubbles.
- Clicking a bubble opens info cards with the fact and direct source link.
- Users can save, favorite, edit, or delete past searches.
- Optional: Visual search returns relevant images.
Everything is verified with source links to maintain full transparency.
"This project was developed entirely on public library infrastructure following a total hardware failure. It represents a commitment to resourceful engineering and the pursuit of accessible, obscure knowledge."
This project is licensed under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.