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StudyBot User Guide

Everything you need to know to maximize your learning efficiency with AI-powered flashcards and spaced repetition.

Quick Navigation
Jump to the section you need
Quick Start (30 seconds)Core ConceptsFeature Deep DivesTroubleshootingBest PracticesFAQ

Get Started in 30 Seconds

  1. 1

    Enter any topic

    Type what you want to learn (e.g., "Python basics", "Spanish verbs")

  2. 2

    Choose difficulty

    Select Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced based on your knowledge level

  3. 3

    Click Generate

    AI creates 10 flashcards instantly - watch them appear in real-time!

  4. 4

    Study with spaced repetition

    Cards return at optimal intervals based on your performance

Pro Tip for First-Time Users:

  • Press Space to flip cards
  • Use 1-4 keys to rate recall (Again, Hard, Good, Easy)
  • Cards you struggle with come back sooner automatically

Core Concepts

What is Spaced Repetition?

Traditional studying: Cram information once, forget 80% within a week.

Spaced repetition: Review cards at scientifically calculated intervals to maximize retention.

How It Works - When you rate a card:

  • Again (forgot) → Review in 1 minute
  • Hard (struggled) → Review in 6 minutes
  • Good (remembered) → Review in 10m → 1d → 3d → ...
  • Easy (instant recall) → Review in 4d → 10d → ...

The SM-2 Algorithm

StudyBot uses the same proven algorithm as Anki, with three phases:

  1. 1. Learning Phase - New cards: 1m → 6m → 10m
  2. 2. Review Phase - Graduated cards: 1d → 3d → 7d → 16d → ...
  3. 3. Relearning Phase - Failed cards return to 10m, then rejoin review queue
How AI Creates High-Quality Flashcards

StudyBot uses DeepSeek R1 with educational best practices:

Bloom's Taxonomy Prompting

Cards distributed across cognitive levels:

  • • Remember: "What is photosynthesis?"
  • • Understand: "Explain why plants need light"
  • • Apply: "If a plant is in darkness, what happens?"
  • • Analyze: "Compare C3 and C4 photosynthesis"

Atomic Knowledge Principle

Each card covers ONE concept:

❌ "Explain the French Revolution and Napoleon"

✅ "What event sparked the French Revolution?" + separate card for Napoleon

Learning Levels

Beginner

Simple definitions, basic concepts

Intermediate

Relationships, comparisons, applications

Advanced

Edge cases, technical depth, nuance

Your Data, Your Device

Zero-knowledge architecture: We literally cannot see your flashcards.

How It Works:

  1. 1. Generate cards → Topic sent to AI → Cards returned to YOUR browser
  2. 2. Study progress → Stored in localStorage (never sent to servers)
  3. 3. No account → No emails, passwords, or tracking cookies
  4. 4. Cross-tab sync → Uses BroadcastChannel API (local only)

Data Risks to Be Aware Of:

  • ⚠️ Shared device: Anyone with browser access can see your decks
  • ⚠️ Browser data clear: Clearing browser data deletes all decks
  • ⚠️ No cloud backup: Use Export feature to backup important decks

Feature Deep Dives

Test Mode (MCQ Quizzes)
Simulate exams with multiple-choice questions

How to Use:

  1. 1. Go to any deck → Click "Test" button
  2. 2. Choose number of questions (5-20)
  3. 3. Timed or untimed mode
  4. 4. Review results with AI-generated explanations

Features:

  • • AI-generated distractors (wrong answers are plausible, not random)
  • • Detailed explanations for both correct and incorrect answers
  • • Performance tracking in Analytics
Analytics Dashboard
Track your learning progress with visual insights

Navigate to /analytics to view:

  • • Study sessions: Total sessions, cards reviewed
  • • Mastery rate: % of cards you've mastered
  • • Test performance: Average scores, trends over time
  • • Knowledge map: Visual topic coverage
Privacy: All analytics computed locally - no data sent to servers
12 Languages Supported
Generate cards in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Hindi

How to Use:

  1. 1. Select language in dropdown before generating
  2. 2. AI generates cards in target language
  3. 3. UI text remains in your preferred language (English/Spanish/French)

Translation Feature:

Already have a deck? Go to deck → Click "Translate Deck" → Choose target language

⚠️ Note: Original content is REPLACED (export backup first)

Keyboard Shortcuts
Study at the speed of thought

Study Mode:

Flip cardSpace
Navigate← →
Again (forgot)1
Hard (struggled)2
Good (remembered)3
Easy (instant)4

Pro Tips:

  • • Never touch your mouse during study sessions
  • • Use Space exclusively for flipping (muscle memory)
  • • Number keys flow naturally: 1 (worst) → 4 (best)
Offline Mode & PWA
Study anywhere, even without internet

How to Install:

Desktop (Chrome/Edge):

  1. 1. Look for install icon in address bar
  2. 2. Click "Install StudyBot"
  3. 3. App opens in standalone window

Mobile (iOS/Android):

  1. 1. Safari/Chrome → Share button
  2. 2. "Add to Home Screen"
  3. 3. Icon appears on home screen

What Works Offline:

  • ✅ Study existing decks
  • ✅ Create/edit cards manually
  • ✅ Review progress analytics
  • ❌ Generate new cards (requires internet for AI)

Troubleshooting Guide

Generation Fails
Error: "Failed to generate cards"

Causes:

  • • API key issue (server misconfiguration)
  • • Rate limiting (too many requests)
  • • Topic too vague ("stuff" vs "Python loops")

Solutions:

  • • Try a more specific topic
  • • Wait 30 seconds and retry
  • • Check internet connection
  • • Report issue on GitHub
Cards Are Too Easy/Hard

Solution: Click learning level selector before generating. Choose Intermediate or Advanced for more challenging content.

For existing decks: Generate new cards at higher level and merge into deck.

Lost All My Decks
Cleared browser data or switched devices

Prevention: Export decks regularly (Decks page → "Export All")

Recovery: Import JSON backup file

Future: Use same browser profile for consistency

Pro Study Strategies

The 80/20 Rule

• Focus on cards you get wrong (Again/Hard ratings)

• Skip cards you find too easy (mark Easy for longer intervals)

• Most learning happens in the "struggle zone"

Daily Streak Strategy

• Morning: Review due cards (10-20 min)

• Afternoon: Generate new cards for tonight's lecture

• Evening: Study new cards + test mode (20-30 min)

Pre-Exam Cram Mode

• Use "Study All Cards Anyway" (ignore spaced repetition)

• Use test mode for practice exams

• Focus on cards marked "Hard" in analytics

• Export deck as backup before exam

Data Backup Workflow

• Every week: Export all decks

• Save to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox)

• Before major OS updates: Export everything

• After big study sessions: Export progress

Frequently Asked Questions

Is StudyBot really free?
Yes, 100% free and open source. No premium tiers, no ads.
Do I need an account?
No, everything works without signup. Your data stays local in your browser.
Can you see my flashcards?
No, they're stored locally in your browser. We literally have zero access to your decks.
Can I share decks with friends?
Yes, export as JSON and share the file. They can import it into their StudyBot.
Which AI model is used?
DeepSeek Chat v3.2 via Vercel AI SDK (streaming for real-time card generation).
Does it work offline?
Yes! Study existing decks offline. Generating new cards requires internet for AI.

Ready to Start Learning?

Now that you know how to maximize StudyBot, go create your first deck!

Generate Your First Deck