Paper

A modern React Native application that converts handwritten notes to accessible Markdown and LaTeX. Built with Expo, Convex backend, and Clerk authentication, Paper provides a seamless mobile experience for digitizing and organizing handwritten mathematical and technical content with real-time data synchronization and secure user management.

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Features

• Handwritten Note Recognition: Advanced OCR technology specifically optimized for mathematical and technical content
• Markdown Conversion: Convert handwritten notes to clean, structured Markdown format
• LaTeX Generation: Transform mathematical expressions and equations into properly formatted LaTeX
• Document Management: Organize, reorder, and manage your digitized notes
• Cross-Platform: Works on iOS, Android, and Web platforms
• Real-time Sync: Automatic synchronization across all your devices
• Secure Authentication: User authentication and data protection with Clerk

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Requirements

• Node.js (LTS recommended, e.g. 20.x)
• npm (comes with Node)
• Git
• Expo tooling will be installed as part of npm install.

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Getting started (using this repo directly)

1. Clone the repo

   git clone https://github.com/malachyfernandez/paper.git
   cd paper

2. Install dependencies

   npm install

3. Run the app

   Available scripts (from package.json):

   • Start Metro / Expo dev server:

     npm run start

   • Run on Android (device or emulator):

     npm run android

   • Run on iOS (simulator):

     npm run ios

   • Run on the web (Expo web):

     npm run web

   Follow the Expo CLI instructions in your terminal to open on your target platform.

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Using this as a base for a new project

Whenever you want to start a new app based on this setup:

1. Clone into a new folder

   git clone https://github.com/malachyfernandez/paper.git my-new-app
   cd my-new-app

2. (Optional but recommended) Remove this repo's git history and start fresh

   rm -rf .git
   git init
   git add .
   git commit -m "Initial commit for my-new-app"

   At this point, my-new-app is its own git repository, separate from the base.

3. Install dependencies and run

   npm install
   npm run start    # or npm run android / ios / web

4. (Optional) Create a new GitHub repo for the new app

   • Create a new, empty repo on GitHub.

   • Then connect your local project to it:

     git remote add origin https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/YOUR_NEW_REPO.git
     git branch -M main
     git push -u origin main

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Project identity / naming

Internally, the project uses the technical name:

• paper

This is used for things like package.json and the Expo slug.

If you create a new project from this base, you can edit:

• package.json → name
• app.json → expo.name, expo.slug, and expo.ios.bundleIdentifier

To match your new app's branding.