MathVision

AI-powered symbolic mathematics platform. Solves equations, generates step-by-step explanations, and renders notebook-style solutions. Designed as a web app today, mobile/desktop tomorrow — frontend and backend are decoupled.

mathvision/
├── src/                # Web frontend (TanStack Start, hosted on Lovable)
└── backend/            # Standalone Node + Express + Python service (self-host)
    ├── src/            # REST API (TypeScript / Express)
    └── python-service/ # SymPy symbolic solver (FastAPI)

Two ways to run the platform

A. Lovable-hosted (current default)

The website ships with server functions (src/lib/solver.functions.ts) that call Wolfram Alpha directly. No external infra required. Add the WOLFRAM_APP_ID secret in your Lovable project and you're live.

B. Self-hosted backend (for mobile / desktop / production scale)

Use the standalone /backend service when you want:

• a single REST API shared by web + React Native + desktop apps
• SymPy symbolic computation (richer than Wolfram alone)
• persistent history / auth / favorites in your own DB

cd backend
cp .env.example .env       # set WOLFRAM_APP_ID, MONGO_URI, etc.
docker compose up --build  # starts api (4000), python-solver (5000), mongo

Then point the website at the backend by setting VITE_API_BASE_URL=http://localhost:4000.

REST contract (shared)

Method	Path	Body / Params	Purpose
POST	/api/solve	{ latex }	Solve + step-by-step
GET	/api/history	—	List user history
POST	/api/history/:id/save	—	Toggle saved
DELETE	/api/history/:id	—	Delete entry
GET	/health	—	Liveness probe

The Lovable server function solveEquation mirrors POST /api/solve exactly, so a future React Native app can talk to either implementation by swapping the base URL.

Frontend (this repo)

bun install
bun run dev

Stack: TanStack Start, React 19, Tailwind v4, KaTeX, Framer Motion, Zustand.

Backend

cd backend
npm install
npm run dev          # API on :4000

Python solver:

cd backend/python-service
pip install -r requirements.txt
uvicorn main:app --reload --port 5000

Environment variables

Frontend (Lovable secrets)

Name	Required	Notes
WOLFRAM_APP_ID	yes	https://developer.wolframalpha.com

Backend (backend/.env)

Name	Required	Notes
WOLFRAM_APP_ID	yes	Wolfram Alpha API key
PYTHON_SOLVER_URL	no	Defaults to http://localhost:5000
MONGO_URI	no	History storage
DATABASE_URL	no	Postgres alternative
CORS_ORIGINS	yes	Comma-separated list incl. mobile schemes

Documentation

• ARCHITECTURE.md — system design, mobile strategy
• EXTERNAL_SERVICES_AND_APIS.md — every external dependency

License

MIT.