Build a Duolingo Clone With Nextjs, React, Drizzle, Stripe (2024)

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a language learning application similar to Duolingo using Next.js, React, Drizzle ORM, PostgreSQL, and Stripe. This comprehensive guide covers everything from project setup to deployment, ensuring you have a robust understanding of the technologies involved. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully functional SaaS platform that features gamification elements like points, XP, and a shop system.

Step 1: Project Setup

• Start by creating a new Next.js project.
• Install the necessary dependencies:
  • React
  • Drizzle ORM
  • PostgreSQL client
  • Stripe for payment processing
  • Tailwind CSS for styling
• Run the following command in your terminal:

  npx create-next-app@latest your-project-name
  cd your-project-name
  npm install drizzle-orm pg stripe tailwindcss
  

Step 2: Create Buttons Library

• Develop a reusable button component to maintain a consistent UI.
• Utilize Tailwind CSS to style the buttons.
• Example button component:

  const Button = ({ label, onClick }) => (
      <button className="bg-blue-500 text-white px-4 py-2 rounded" onClick={onClick}>
          {label}
      </button>
  );
  

Step 3: Build Marketing Skeleton

• Design a landing page that highlights the key features of your application.
• Include sections such as:
  • Introduction to the app
  • Features like AI voices, character designs, and the gamified experience
  • Call-to-action buttons for signing up

Step 4: Implement Authentication

• Use Clerk for user authentication.
• Set up Clerk by following their documentation to integrate it into your Next.js app.
• Ensure users can register, log in, and log out seamlessly.

Step 5: Create the Footer Component

• Design a footer that includes links to privacy policy, terms of service, and contact information.
• Example footer layout:

  const Footer = () => (
      <footer className="bg-gray-800 text-white py-4">
          <p>© 2024 Your App Name. All rights reserved.</p>
      </footer>
  );
  

Step 6: Configure Main Layout

• Establish a main layout component that wraps around your pages.
• Include navigation, footer, and any global styles or components.

Step 7: Develop Sidebar

• Create a sidebar for navigation between different sections of the app (e.g., Courses, Progress, Shop).
• Use Tailwind CSS for styling and responsiveness.

Step 8: Learn Page Wrappers

• Design wrappers for the learning pages where lessons will be displayed.
• Ensure that the layout is user-friendly and visually appealing.

Step 9: Set Up Drizzle and NeonDB

• Connect Drizzle ORM to your PostgreSQL database hosted on NeonDB.
• Define your database schema and connect it to your application.

Step 10: Create Courses Page

• Build a page displaying available language courses.
• Fetch data from your database and display it in a user-friendly format.

Step 11: Implement User Progress Tracking

• Create a system to track user progress through courses.
• Store progress data in the PostgreSQL database.

Step 12: Seed Database Script

• Develop a script to seed your database with initial data (e.g., courses, lessons).
• Example seed script:

  const seedDatabase = async () => {
      // Logic to seed your database
  };
  

Step 13: Design Schema

• Define the data schema for courses, lessons, and user progress.
• Use Drizzle ORM to manage database interactions.

Step 14: Create Units and Lessons

• Structure lessons into units for better organization.
• Ensure each lesson has distinct learning objectives.

Step 15: Develop Lesson Button Component

• Create a button for users to start lessons.
• Ensure it is visually aligned with the overall app design.

Step 16: Implement Course Progress Feature

• Track which lessons have been completed and update the user interface accordingly.

Step 17: Design Lesson Header

• Create a header component for lesson pages that displays the lesson title and navigation options.

Step 18: Develop Exit Modal

• Implement a modal that appears when users attempt to exit a lesson, confirming their decision.

Step 19: Create Challenge Cards

• Design interactive cards for quizzes and challenges within lessons.
• Use animations to enhance user engagement.

Step 20: Complete Challenge Footer

• Build a footer for challenge pages that provides options to submit answers or retry.

Step 21: Handle Challenge Actions

• Implement logic to process user actions during challenges (e.g., answer submissions).

Step 22: Design Challenge Finish Screen

• Create a screen that appears after completing a challenge, displaying results and feedback.

Step 23: Implement Challenge Practice Mode

• Allow users to practice previous lessons to reinforce learning.

Step 24: Build Shop System

• Create a shop where users can exchange points for hearts and other rewards.

Step 25: Integrate Stripe for Payments

• Set up Stripe to handle payments for the pro tier subscription.
• Ensure the checkout process is secure and seamless.

Step 26: Create Details Page

• Develop a page that provides more information about courses and features.

Step 27: Build Admin Dashboard

• Design a dashboard for administrators to manage users, courses, and content.

Step 28: Deployment on Vercel

• Deploy your application on Vercel for easy hosting and scaling.
• Follow Vercel's deployment instructions for Next.js applications.

Conclusion

This tutorial has guided you through building a complete language learning application with various features. You have learned to set up the project, implement authentication, create a user-friendly UI, and deploy your application. As next steps, consider adding more languages, refining the user experience, or incorporating additional gamification elements to enhance engagement.