CATALYST: Cinematic AI Mastery Simulation

"Precision-Engineered Learning for the AI Era"

"Traditional learning tells you what to know. CATALYST simulates who you need to become."

CATALYST is a cinematic, AI-driven simulation platform for mastery-based learning. It transforms the technical upskilling journey into a high-stakes simulation—analyzing your professional DNA, mapping strategic skill gaps, and stress-testing your "Project Intelligence" through immersive AI challenges.

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🚀 Key Features

🧠 Phase 1: Skill DNA Analysis (IMPLEMENTED)

• Resume Extraction: Gemini-powered parsing of PDF/DOCX resumes.
• Skill Heatmap: Visual categorization of Technical, Tool, and Soft skills.
• Evidence-Based Mapping: Proficiency levels validated with specific content from your professional history.

🎯 Phase 2: Strategic Gap Analysis (IMPLEMENTED)

• Role Benchmarking: Compare your current skill set against target industry roles.
• Readiness Metrics: High-fidelity charts (Recharts) visualizing your match percentage.
• Visual Gaps: Instant identification of missing critical skills.

🗺️ Phase 3: Dynamic Learning Roadmap (IMPLEMENTED)

• Adaptive Planning: Week-by-week learning timeline based on your available effort.
• Consolidated Dashboard: A single hub for tracking your "Skill Evolution."
• Resource Aggregation: Intelligent curation of documentation and tutorials.

🛡️ Phase 4: Project Intelligence Quiz (IMPLEMENTED)

• Artifact Extraction: AI extracts live projects directly from your resume.
• Simulation Challenges: Tailored "What if?" technical quizzes based on your real-world architecture.
• Intelligence Sync: Seamless background processing of previously uploaded context.

🚧 Future Frontiers

• Phase 5: Real-time Socratic Mission Terminals.
• Phase 6: Enterprise Hiring Readiness Scores.

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🛠️ Tech Stack

Frontend (Next.js 15)

• Runtime: Next.js 15 (App Router) + Cloudflare Edge optimization.
• Auth: Clerk Authentication (Protected & Public routes).
• Styling: Tailwind CSS + Shadcn UI (Glassmorphic Design).
• Motion: Framer Motion + GSAP (Cinematic transitions).
• Viz: Recharts (Responsive Readiness Charts).

Backend (Node.js/Express)

• Database: MongoDB (Atlas/Local).
• Intelligence: Google Gemini 1.5 Flash (via OpenRouter).
• Optimization: LRU-based intelligent caching for AI responses.

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📋 Setup Instructions

1. Clone and Install

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/saurabh24thakur/CATALYST.git

# Install backend dependencies
cd server
npm install

# Install frontend dependencies
cd ../client
npm install

2. Environment Configuration

Backend (server/.env):

PORT=5000
MONGODB_URI=your_mongodb_uri
GEMINI_API_KEY=your_google_ai_key

Frontend (client/.env.local):

NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL=http://localhost:5000/api
NEXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_PUBLISHABLE_KEY=your_key
CLERK_SECRET_KEY=your_key

3. Execution

Terminal 1: cd server && npm run dev
Terminal 2: cd client && npm run dev

Navigate to: http://localhost:3000

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🎨 Design Philosophy: The "Aino" Aesthetic

CATALYST moves away from generic dark-mode patterns toward a Premium, High-Contrast Light Theme.

• Glassmorphism: Sophisticated blur intensities and white-border opacity.
• Motion Continuity: Seamless GSAP timelines and Lenis smooth scroll for a cinematic feel.
• Minimalist Branding: A focus on high-fidelity metrics and socratic simplicity.

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🔑 Key API Endpoints

• POST /api/resume/upload: Advanced skill extraction with full context persistence.
• POST /api/resume/extract-projects: AI-driven project artifact identification.
• POST /api/roadmap/generate: Adaptive timeline creation for target roles.

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🤝 Contributing

This project is built for the technical mastery of modern developers. Fork it, bridge your gaps, and contribute to the evolution.

License: MIT
Built with ❤️ for the Mastery Movement 🏆