Build & Deploy Full Stack Nextjs AI Kids Story generator SAAS App Using React, NextUI, Typescript

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of building and deploying a full-stack AI-powered kids' story generator application using Next.js, React, NextUI, and TypeScript. This project is an excellent opportunity to explore AI and web development, providing a fun and interactive platform for generating creative stories for children.

Step 1: Project Setup

1. Install Node.js and npm: Ensure you have Node.js and npm installed on your machine. You can download them from the official website.
2. Create a new Next.js app:

   npx create-next-app@latest kids-story-generator
   cd kids-story-generator
   

3. Add TypeScript:

   npm install --save-dev typescript @types/react @types/node
   

4. Install NextUI:

   npm install @nextui-org/react
   

5. Set up your environment: Create a .env.local file to manage your environment variables, including API keys for AI services.

Step 2: Create the Landing Screen

1. Create the landing page: Go to the pages/index.tsx file and set up a basic layout using NextUI components.
2. Add a title and subtitle: Use headings and text components to welcome users.
3. Design a start button: Create a button that navigates to the story creation screen.

Step 3: Implement Authentication

1. Use Clerk for authentication:
   • Sign up for Clerk and follow the integration guide on their website.
   • Install Clerk SDK:

     npm install @clerk/clerk-sdk
     

2. Set up authentication routes: Create protected routes to manage user sessions and access to the story generator.

Step 4: Create Story Screen UI

1. Build the story creation UI:
   • Use form components to gather inputs like story topic, characters, and setting.
   • Ensure to utilize NextUI for a responsive design.
2. Add a submit button that triggers the story generation function.

Step 5: Setup Backend

1. Create an API route: In the pages/api directory, create a file for your story generation logic (e.g., generateStory.ts).
2. Connect to the Gemini API:
   • Set up API calls to generate stories using AI.
   • Use fetch to call the API endpoint and handle responses.

Step 6: Generate Story With AI

1. Implement the story generation logic:
   • Use the input from the user to create a request payload.
   • Call the Gemini API and parse the response to display the generated story.

Step 7: Generate AI Image

1. Integrate Replicate AI for image generation:
   • Follow the Replicate API documentation to set up image generation based on the story.
   • Make sure to include error handling for API requests.

Step 8: Implement Toast Messages

1. Add feedback messages using a Toast component from NextUI:
   • Display success or error messages based on user interactions, such as story generation completion.

Step 9: View Story

1. Create a new page to display the generated story:
   • Use components to layout the story and its associated illustrations.
   • Include navigation options to return to the story creation screen or to view more stories.

Step 10: Text to Speech

1. Integrate a text-to-speech service:
   • Use a library like react-speech-kit to read the story aloud.
   • Add controls for users to play or pause the narration.

Step 11: Build the Dashboard

1. Create a user dashboard to view previously generated stories and manage user settings.
2. Display user credits to indicate how many stories they can generate.

Step 12: Implement Payment Gateway

1. Set up a payment system using a service like Stripe or PayPal:
   • Integrate payment processing for users to purchase additional story credits.

Step 13: Explore More Stories

1. Allow users to browse additional stories:
   • Create a section that showcases stories generated by other users or popular stories.

Step 14: Deploy App

1. Deploy your application: Use Vercel for easy deployment of your Next.js app:
   • Sign up for a Vercel account and link your GitHub repository.
   • Follow the prompts to deploy your app.

Conclusion

You have now built and deployed a full-stack AI-powered kids' story generator app using Next.js, React, NextUI, and TypeScript. This project not only showcases your web development skills but also leverages AI technology to create engaging content for children. As next steps, consider enhancing the app with more features or exploring different AI models for even more creative story generation.