Voca AI Dictionary 📚✨

Voca is a fun, vibrant, and intelligent AI-powered dictionary application built for the desktop. It goes beyond simple definitions by acting like a language-learning friend—providing cultural context, "vibes," visual concepts, and natural conversation.

Built with React, Electron, and Google Gemini 2.5.

Voca App Screenshot )

🚀 Key Features

• 🧠 Context-Aware Engine:
  • Abstract Concepts: Provides sharp, concise "Grammar Tips" for function words instead of images.
  • Sentence Parsing: Translates full sentences and automatically extracts keywords for your vocabulary list.
• 🗣️ Natural TTS: High-quality, near-instant text-to-speech using Gemini's native audio capabilities.
• 💬 Interactive Chat: Ask follow-up questions (e.g., "Is this word formal?", "Can I use this with my boss?") directly in the result card.
• 📒 Smart Notebook & Flashcards:
  • Save words to your local notebook.
  • Story Mode: AI weaves your saved words into a funny, coherent story to help you remember them.
  • Flashcard Mode: Review your words with interactive flip animations.
• 🎨 Neo-Pop UI: A bold, high-contrast design that makes learning energetic and fun.
• 🔑 Bring Your Own Key: Your Google API Key is stored locally on your device for privacy and control.

📦 Installation & Setup

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v18 or higher recommended)
• A Google Gemini API Key (Get one here)

1. Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/your-username/voca-ai.git
cd voca-ai

2. Install dependencies

npm install

3. Running in Development Mode

This command runs the React dev server and the Electron window simultaneously.

npm run electron:dev

4. Setting up your API Key

1. When the app launches, click the Settings (Gear) icon in the top right.
2. Paste your Google Gemini API Key.
3. Click Save. The key is stored securely in your machine's localStorage.

🏗️ Building for Desktop

To package Voca as a standalone application (.exe for Windows, .dmg for Mac):

npm run electron:build

The output files will be generated in the release/ directory.

🐛 Troubleshooting

"API Key not valid"

• Ensure you have pasted a valid key in the Settings menu.
• Check if your API key has permissions for gemini-2.5-flash and gemini-2.5-flash-preview-tts.

Audio not playing

• The app uses raw PCM audio decoding. Ensure your system volume is up and the app has permission to play audio.

📄 License

MIT License. Feel free to fork and learn!