LocalLens

LocalLens is an AI travel planning MVP that helps users travel like a local. It uses Gemini 2.5 Flash with structured JSON output and function-calling mock tools to generate personalized destination recommendations and itineraries.

Tech stack

• Next.js 15 (App Router)
• React + TypeScript
• Tailwind CSS
• shadcn/ui-style reusable UI primitives
• Framer Motion
• Gemini 2.5 Flash via @google/genai

Features

• Landing page (/) with prompt input and loading state
• Planning API (/api/plan) using Gemini and mock tool calling
• Results page (/results) with:
  • Destination recommendation
  • Reasoning panel
  • Trip summary
  • Budget visualization
  • Timeline itinerary
  • Restaurants and activities
  • Packing list, warnings, and alternatives

Installation

npm install

Gemini API setup

1. Create a Gemini API key in Google AI Studio.
2. Add it to a local .env.local file:

GEMINI_API_KEY=your_key_here

If no API key is set, you can use GEMINI_API_KEY=AIzaSyBBMr_mHKDEi6R2eZZABOaks1fi3iJ1VZg

Running locally

npm run dev

App runs at http://localhost:3000.

Build & lint

npm run lint
npm run build

Deployment (Vercel)

1. Push this repository to GitHub.
2. Import project into Vercel.
3. Set environment variable GEMINI_API_KEY in Vercel project settings.
4. Deploy.

Architecture

app/
  api/plan/route.ts      # Gemini planning endpoint
  page.tsx               # Landing page
  results/page.tsx       # Results view
components/
  ...                    # Reusable UI components
hooks/
  useTripPlanner.ts      # Client planning flow
lib/
  prompts.ts             # System prompt
  utils.ts               # UI utility helpers
services/
  geminiPlanner.ts       # Gemini orchestration + tool-calling loop
  mockTools.ts           # searchFlights/searchHotels/searchActivities/searchWeather
types/
  travel.ts              # Strict response/request interfaces

Future improvements

• Persist plans to a database so results survive refresh
• Add real flight/hotel/activity providers
• Add map + transit integration
• Add localization and multi-currency support
• Add automated end-to-end tests