I Built “Personal Store” Because I Was Tired of Texting Myself

Source: Dev.to

Stop treating your WhatsApp “You” chat like a database. It’s time for an upgrade.

We all do it. You’re on your phone, scrolling through Twitter or reading an article, and you find something you need to save for later. What do you do? You hit share and send it to… yourself.

Maybe it’s a Saved Messages chat on Telegram, a Slack DM to yourself, or the lonely You conversation on WhatsApp.

Fast‑forward two weeks. You need that link. You open your chat app and start scrolling—past the grocery lists, past the random screenshots, past the reminders to “call mom.” That important resource is buried in a linear, unorganized graveyard of digital debris.

I built Personal Store to solve this exact problem. It is a centralized, privacy‑focused bridge between your devices, designed to replace the chaotic “self‑chat” workflow with a structured, intelligent workspace.

The Problem: The “Me” Chat Is Broken

Chat apps are designed for communication, not storage. They lack:

• Organization: No tags, no folders, no hierarchy.
• Context: A link is just a link; you can’t easily add structured notes or metadata.
• Permanence: Finding something from three months ago requires an archaeological dig.
• Security: That API key or password you just texted yourself sits in plaintext in a chat log.

The Solution: Meet Personal Store

Personal Store is a web‑based “second brain” that sits between your mobile and desktop workflows. It’s where you put things you aren’t ready to file away permanently, but can’t afford to lose.

🚀 Key Features That Change the Game

1. Specialized “Stores” – Organize data by intent:

• 📝 Snippet Store – Code blocks, prompts, reusable text, and custom tagging.
• 🔗 Link Store – A bookmark manager that doesn’t get lost in your browser.
• 📋 Clipboard Store – A transient buffer for moving text from phone → PC instantly.
• 📊 Habit Store – Track daily habits with a GitHub‑style contribution grid and streak tracking.
• 📋 Tracking Store – Kanban‑style workspace with multiple boards, columns, and cards; drag‑and‑drop support.
• 👣 Steps Store – Document and execute complex multi‑step procedures; reusable guides with variables, instructions, and commands.
• 📦 Drop Store – Generate a temporary link so a friend can “drop” text directly into your vault without adding them on socials.

2. 🔥 Secret Store (Burn After Reading) – Create a unique link that works exactly once. After the recipient views it, the data is permanently deleted from the server.

3. ✨ Smart Editor – A staging ground for your most important text:

• Store critical info (IDs, addresses, account details).
• Save reusable text & messages (common replies, code blocks, drafts).
• Build dynamic templates with placeholders (variables) that can be filled on the fly.

4. 🌍 Public Store – Share knowledge without oversharing:

• Distribute guides, code snippets, or AI prompts.
• Granular access control: public links can be open to everyone or restricted to specific users.

5. 👁️ Privacy & Visibility Control

• Privacy Mode: One click blurs all sensitive content—titles, snippets, notes—so you can screen‑share safely.
• Master Visibility Toggle: Globally hide or reveal anything marked as secret.

6. 🔒 Encrypted Database – All data is encrypted before it reaches the database, keeping content secure at rest.

7. 🤝 Collaborative Workspaces (New!) – Collaboration without sharing your login:

• Shared Link Categories: Invite others to specific Link Store categories (e.g., trip planning, team projects).
• (The original text cuts off here; continue adding collaborative features as needed.)

Collaboration Features

• Other users can view, add, and edit links within that category instantly.
• Shared Clipboards: Create a dedicated Clipboard tab and share it as a synchronized scratchpad for your team.
• Granular Control: Owners can add or remove members by username; collaborators can contribute freely or leave when done.

Under the Hood: A Modern Tech Stack

• Framework: Next.js 16 (App Router) for robust server‑side rendering and API handling.
• Language: TypeScript.
• UI: React 19 + Tailwind CSS 4 + Radix UI.
• Database: MongoDB (via Mongoose).
• AI: Google Generative AI.

Next.js Server Actions are used for seamless data mutations, keeping the client‑side bundle small and snappy.

Open Source & Self‑Hostable

Data privacy is the core of Personal Store. While a hosted demo exists, the entire project is open source. You can clone the repo, spin up your own MongoDB instance, and host a private instance on Vercel, a VPS, or even a Raspberry Pi.

Your data, your rules.

Try It Out

Stop scrolling through your chat history to find that one link from last Tuesday. Give your digital life the home it deserves.

• Live Demo:
• GitHub Repo:

If you find Personal Store useful, consider giving it a star on GitHub! Contributions are always welcome.