Show DEV: I built a calm typing practice app with ambient soundscapes

Source: Dev.to

Most typing apps feel like games—leaderboards, avatars, streaks, XP bars—optimized for engagement rather than focused practice. I wanted a different kind of tool: a typing session that feels like a focus block. The result is LoKey Typer.

Overview

LoKey Typer is a progressive web app (PWA) for typing practice that pairs curated exercises with ambient soundscapes. It runs entirely in the browser: no accounts, no cloud sync, and no tracking.

Try it live:

Features

• Focus‑oriented exercises – curated texts that build rhythm and accuracy.
• Real‑life content – emails, code snippets, and everyday text you’d actually type.
• Competitive mode – timed sprints (30 s / 60 s / 120 s) with personal best tracking.
• Daily set – fresh exercises each day, adapted to your recent performance.

Technical Details

• Stack: Vite + React + TypeScript (fast builds, strict types)
• PWA: Service worker enables full offline use after the first load
• Audio engine: Web Audio API with cross‑fading and layering
• Persistence: localStorage stores all stats and progress locally
• Hosting: GitHub Pages via GitHub Actions (zero‑cost)

Ambient Audio

• 42 non‑rhythmic soundscape tracks (rain, wind, deep hums, spatial tones) designed to stay out of the way while you type.
• Engine handles cross‑fading, volume normalization, and seamless looping.
• Optional mechanical typewriter keystroke sounds map to actual keypresses.

Privacy & Offline Use

• Works offline (plane, coffee shop, anywhere).
• Installable like a native app on any platform.
• Zero server costs, zero cookies, zero analytics, zero third‑party scripts.
• Privacy policy: “We collect nothing.”

The app is also available on the Microsoft Store as a lightweight MSIX package that points to the hosted PWA.

Availability

• Live app:
• Source code:

Feedback

I’d love feedback—especially on the typing feel, exercise content, and whether the ambient audio helps you focus or becomes a distraction. Thanks for reading!