Better Days: A Habit Tracker Built Around Context, Not Checkmarks
A free, installable habit-tracking app that logs the story behind every habit — not just whether you did it, but why.
- The question
- The goal was a lightweight, no-cost habit tracker that captures context behind every action, not just yes-or-no checkmarks, works as an installable app, and needs zero maintenance overhead to run.
- Stack & tools
- Next.js, Tailwind CSS, Netlify Functions, Netlify Database, Auth.js, Recharts, Web Push API, Netlify Hosting, PWA
- What I found
- The result is a working habit-tracking PWA with context-aware logging, personalized insights, a distinct brand identity, and a completely free hosting setup — proof that thoughtful constraints can produce genuine polish.
It started with a small, annoying observation about my own habits: most tracking apps only ask whether I did or didn't do something, but the story is always in between. Cutting back on sugar wasn't a yes-or-no — some days it was one small slice at a birthday party, other days it was giving in completely after a rough afternoon. None of the apps I tried let me capture that nuance, so I decided to build one that would.
I began the way most side projects begin, with a notebook and a pen rather than a keyboard. I sketched rough boxes for a dashboard, a way to log an entry, and a place to see progress over time. The first sketches were messy — arrows pointing everywhere, boxes crossed out and redrawn — but the core idea held steady from the very first page: every habit needed a note attached to it, not just a checkmark.
Naming the app took longer than I expected. I went through a long list of options before landing on Better Days — it captured exactly what the whole thing was about, small, deliberate progress rather than a dramatic overnight transformation. Once the name settled, the branding followed naturally. I kept coming back to the idea of a flame, since habit streaks already borrow that language everywhere, so I built the logo around it: a simple flame mark paired with a warm orange wordmark.
Budget was a real constraint from day one. I wanted this to be something I could run without a monthly bill hanging over it, so every technical decision got filtered through one question: does this stay free at a small scale? That shaped almost everything, from choosing a framework that could serve a fast, SEO-friendly landing page without expensive server rendering, to picking a database and login system that wouldn't quietly rack up costs the moment a few people signed up.
Turning the sketches into an actual working layout was the most satisfying part. Watching the rough pencil boxes turn into an actual dashboard with real streaks, real colors, and real icons made the whole thing feel like a product rather than a personal experiment. There's still a long list of things I want to add — smarter reminders, real personalized insights — but the core of it, logging a habit with the story behind it, works exactly the way I imagined it on that first notebook page.
Gallery
Platforms I've helped build for
Kind words
Don't just take my word for it
Notes from teammates and client stakeholders I've worked alongside.
Had the pleasure of working closely with Sanjiv, and he is an exceptional leader who seamlessly bridges high-level strategy with deep technical execution.
Sanjiv excels in technical problem-solving—when complex, high-stakes engineering or architectural challenges arise, he is the person you want in the room. He approaches problems analytically, quickly getting to the root cause and devising elegant, scalable solutions.
Beyond his technical acumen, Sanjiv is a standout leader in solution delivery and team management. He has a proven ability to align cross-functional teams, streamline processes, and keep project milestones on track without sacrificing quality. His clear communication, structured approach, and genuine investment in supporting team members make him a trusted partner and a pillar on any team.
I highly recommend Sanjiv to any organization looking for a strong technical strategist and reliable leader who consistently delivers results.
Aman Kumar Sinha(LinkedIn profile, opens in a new tab)
Senior Product Manager at Merkle Sokrati · Oct 2026
