Academic Writing IDE

An IDE-like interface (inspired by Cursor/VS Code) designed specifically for academic writing and essay composition instead of coding. This application provides a structured environment for managing academic writing projects with intelligent context-aware assistance.

Core Concept

This is a domain-specific writing IDE that organizes content into three distinct file types, each serving a specific purpose in the academic writing workflow:

File System Architecture

1. Rules (Always in Context)

• Purpose: Assignment constraints, prompts, writing style guidelines, and grammar preferences
• Function: Acts as the "system prompt" and style enforcer
• Behavior: Always fed into AI context to maintain consistency with assignment requirements

2. Sources (Research Library)

• Purpose: External references, readings, citations, and research materials
• Function: Acts as your research library
• Behavior: AI assistant can pull quotes, suggest citations, and help with integration when explicitly added to context

3. Documents (Working Materials)

• Purpose: Your actual working materials (outlines, drafts, brainstorm lists, bibliography, notes, etc.)
• Function: Optional context inclusion via highlight → "add to context" action
• Behavior: Allows selective passage inclusion without cluttering the AI context

Interaction Model

• Non-sourcing chat requests (style, structure, clarity) always include Rules in context
• Highlighted text in Sources or Documents can be explicitly added to context
• Dynamic context combination allows fluid movement between brainstorming, outlining, writing, and citing
• Context length management prevents overwhelming the AI assistant

Design Philosophy

The application provides a seamless workflow for academic writing where:

• Rules = Guardrails (assignment instructions, style guide)
• Sources = Research/citations library
• Documents = Working drafts/notes

The AI assistant can dynamically combine these elements into context depending on your current intent and workflow stage.

Visual Design

• Color Theme: Softer, academic tones rather than traditional developer dark themes
• Interface: IDE-inspired layout optimized for writing workflows
• Branding: Academic-focused aesthetic appropriate for scholarly work

Getting Started

This is a code bundle for the Academic Writing IDE. The original design is available at https://www.figma.com/design/oaD0n6dCzSLOUsufB8DScy/Cursor-Style-Essay-App-with-Context-Picker.

Installation

npm i

Development

npm run dev

Project Structure

• src/components/ - React components for the IDE interface
• src/components/ui/ - Reusable UI components
• src/guidelines/ - Writing guidelines and rules
• src/styles/ - Styling and theming

Contributing

This project aims to create an intuitive, powerful tool for academic writers by combining the efficiency of modern IDE interfaces with the specific needs of scholarly writing workflows.

Run npm i to install the dependencies. Run npm run dev to start the development server.