UNCLOCK

the ios app for starting with a plan

theunpartyclock

Location: https://github.com/unparty-app/theunpartyclock
Status: Active Development
Primary Purpose: iOS/macOS native application for structured idea assessment and project planning through the UNPARTY methodology


Overview

theunpartyclock (also known as "unclock") is a native iOS and macOS application that guides creators through a structured framework for evaluating and developing their ideas. Using the UNPARTY methodology's ABOUT → BUILD → CONNECT progression, the app helps users systematically assess their projects across six critical dimensions: CORE, BUDGET, BRAND, PRODUCT, RISK, and GROW.

The app provides a focused, distraction-free interface for answering curated questions that reveal insights about idea viability, resource requirements, and growth potential. Think of it as a "decision clock" that helps creators understand where they are in their journey and what they need to consider next.


Tech Stack

  • Framework: SwiftUI
  • Language: Swift 5.0
  • Database: CloudKit (Apple) + Local JSON persistence
  • Platform: iOS 14+, macOS 11+
  • Data Model: SwiftData for local persistence
  • Build Tool: Xcode
  • CI/CD: GitHub Actions (Xcode build pipeline)

Key Dependencies:

  • SwiftUI: Modern declarative UI framework
  • CloudKit: Cloud synchronization and backup
  • SwiftData: Local data persistence layer
  • Combine: Reactive state management
  • Foundation: Core utilities and data handling

Key Features

1. Structured Question Framework

  • 6 Assessment Categories: CORE, BUDGET, BRAND, PRODUCT, RISK, GROW
  • Multiple Question Types:
    • Text input (open-ended responses)
    • Multiple choice (single selection)
    • Ranking (forced prioritization of options)
  • Model Alignment: Each question tagged with ABOUT, BUILD, or CONNECT model stage

2. Project Management

  • Multi-Project Support: Create and manage multiple idea projects
  • Progress Tracking: Visual indicators of completion per category
  • Timeline Management: Goal dates and project milestones
  • Auto-Save: Continuous local persistence of answers
  • Cloud Sync: Optional iCloud backup and cross-device synchronization

3. Adaptive Question Flow

  • Sequential Mode: Step-by-step guided progression through questions
  • Category Mode: Browse and answer by specific assessment area
  • Search & Filter: Find specific questions or review past answers
  • Smart Navigation: Context-aware question suggestions

4. Professional UI/UX

  • Monospaced Typography: Clean, focused reading experience
  • Dark Mode: Eye-friendly interface for extended sessions
  • Minimal Design: Distraction-free environment
  • Responsive Layout: Optimized for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
  • Pattern Background: Subtle visual branding without distraction

5. Answer Analysis

  • Category Completion Metrics: Track progress across all six dimensions
  • Model Stage Visibility: See which phase (ABOUT/BUILD/CONNECT) each answer addresses
  • Export Capabilities: Share or backup project data
  • Rich Text Support: Formatted answers with proper text handling

Architecture

Code

Native App (SwiftUI)
├── Models
│   ├── Project.swift (Project data structure)
│   ├── Question.swift (Question types and metadata)
│   ├── Answer.swift (User responses)
│   ├── Category.swift (Assessment dimensions)
│   └── Item.swift (SwiftData schema)
├── ViewModels
│   └── AnswersManager.swift (State management and persistence)
├── Views
│   ├── ContentView.swift (App entry point with search)
│   ├── ProjectListView.swift (Project management)
│   ├── QuestionsView.swift (Question browser)
│   ├── CategoryQuestionsView.swift (Category-specific questions)
│   ├── SequentialQuestionsView.swift (Step-by-step flow)
│   ├── QuestionDetailView.swift (Individual question)
│   ├── RankingView.swift (Ranking question interface)
│   └── OnboardingView.swift (First-time user experience)
├── Services
│   ├── CloudKitManager.swift (iCloud synchronization)
│   └── AppConfig.swift (App configuration and setup)
├── Components
│   ├── UnpartyButton.swift (Custom button styles)
│   ├── UnpartyHeader.swift (Branded header component)
│   ├── PatternBackground.swift (Visual design element)
│   ├── SegmentedProgressBar.swift (Progress visualization)
│   └── CategoryRowView.swift (Category list items)
├── Utilities
│   ├── TokenHelper.swift (Text processing utilities)
│   ├── AnswerHelper.swift (Answer management helpers)
│   ├── FontExtensions.swift (Typography system)
│   └── ThemeManager.swift (Theme configuration)
└── Data
    ├── initialquestions.json (Default question set)
    ├── example_questions_with_choices.json (Sample data)
    └── rankingexample.json (Ranking question samples)

Data Model

Project

  • Core Attributes: Name, description, goal date, created/modified timestamps
  • Relationships: Contains collection of Answer objects
  • Computed Properties: Category completion percentages, progress metrics
  • Persistence: Local JSON + optional CloudKit sync

Question

  • Structure: ID, text, type (text/multipleChoice/ranking), model stage (ABOUT/BUILD/CONNECT)
  • Choices: Optional array for multiple choice and ranking questions
  • Backward Compatibility: Handles string-based questions from legacy data
  • Validation: Type-safe question construction with builder pattern

Answer

  • Fields: Question reference, answer text, category ID, question index, model stage
  • Metadata: Timestamp, project association
  • Types: Handles text responses, single selections, and ranked lists
  • Search: Indexed for efficient filtering and lookup

Category

  • 6 Dimensions:
    1. CORE: Partnership structure, roles, vision, founder alignment
    2. BUDGET: Financial considerations, cost sensitivity, revenue models
    3. BRAND: Intellectual property, identity, positioning, privacy
    4. PRODUCT: Production quality, features, user experience
    5. RISK: Risk management, security, sustainability
    6. GROW: Growth opportunities, scaling, market expansion

Integration Points

Apple Services

  • CloudKit: Project backup and cross-device synchronization
  • iCloud Container: iCloud.app.unparty.unclock
  • Push Notifications: Remote notification support for sync updates
  • App Sandbox: Secure file system access

Local Storage

  • JSON Files: Project data persistence (projects.json)
  • SwiftData: Local database for structured queries
  • File Manager: Document storage and backup

External Integration Potential

  • Designed to integrate with theunpartyapp (web platform) for data export
  • Compatible with theunpartyrunway cost tracking methodology
  • Analytics framework ready for theunpartycrawler conversation analysis

Business Value

ABOUT (Understanding)

theunpartyclock helps creators gain clarity about their ideas through structured reflection. The six assessment categories force systematic thinking about dimensions that are easy to overlook in the excitement of a new idea. By answering questions about CORE (vision), BUDGET (resources), BRAND (identity), PRODUCT (execution), RISK (sustainability), and GROW (scale), users develop a comprehensive understanding of what they're building and why.

The forced ranking questions are particularly powerful - they reveal true priorities by making users choose. "Rank what best characterizes your relationship with your idea" isn't just a question; it's a mirror that shows where you really are versus where you think you are.

BUILD (Creation)

The app provides a practical framework for transforming abstract ideas into concrete plans. By collecting structured answers across all six dimensions, creators build a comprehensive project blueprint that can guide actual development work. The multi-project support acknowledges that creators often explore multiple ideas simultaneously, and the progress tracking helps maintain momentum.

The text input, multiple choice, and ranking question types map directly to different decision-making needs during the BUILD phase. Open text captures creative vision, multiple choice forces concrete decisions, and ranking establishes clear priorities when resources are limited.

CONNECT (Sharing)

Structured project data becomes valuable when shared with collaborators, advisors, or potential partners. The app's export capabilities and clean data model make it easy to extract insights and share them in other formats. The CloudKit integration enables secure sharing across devices while maintaining creator privacy and ownership.

Most importantly, having clear, documented answers to fundamental questions about CORE, BUDGET, BRAND, PRODUCT, RISK, and GROW makes it dramatically easier to communicate an idea to others. Instead of rambling pitches, creators can share focused insights on specific dimensions that matter to their audience.


Relationship to UNPARTY Ecosystem

Integration with Other Repositories

Complements theunpartyapp (Web Platform):

  • unclock focuses on private, personal idea assessment
  • theunpartyapp handles public-facing content and community
  • Potential integration: Export projects from unclock to web platform for publishing

Shares Methodology with theunpartyrunway (Dev Tools):

  • Runway uses the 5 Gatekeepers framework (CORE, BUDGET, BRAND, PRODUCT, RISK)
  • unclock extends this with GROW as sixth dimension for creator-focused assessment
  • Both frameworks ensure systematic evaluation across critical dimensions
  • Runway's cost tracking could inform BUDGET category questions

Provides Data for theunpartycrawler (Analytics):

  • Structured question/answer format ideal for conversation analysis
  • Model stage tagging (ABOUT/BUILD/CONNECT) enables phase-specific insights
  • Project progression data reveals creator journey patterns

Distinct from theunpartyunppp (Journaling App):

  • unppp is for daily journaling and reflection
  • unclock is for structured project assessment and planning
  • Both serve creators but at different stages of the creation process

Development Workflow

Setup

  1. Clone the repository:

    bash

    git clone https://github.com/unparty-app/theunpartyclock.git
    cd theunpartyclock
  2. Open in Xcode:

    bash

    open unclock.xcodeproj
  3. Configure signing:

    • Select the unclock target
    • Set your development team in Signing & Capabilities
    • Ensure iCloud capability is enabled for CloudKit features
  4. Build and run:

    • Select target device (iOS Simulator or Mac)
    • Press Cmd+R to build and run

Project Structure

  • /unclock: Main application code
  • /unclockTests: Unit tests
  • /unclockUITests: UI automation tests
  • /unclock.xcodeproj: Xcode project configuration
  • .github/workflows: CI/CD configuration

Testing

bash

# Run tests via Xcode
# Press Cmd+U or use menu: Product > Test

# Or via xcodebuild (CI pipeline)
xcodebuild test -scheme unclock -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15'

Continuous Integration

GitHub Actions automatically:

  • Builds the project on every push to main
  • Runs build analysis
  • Validates code structure
  • Reports build status

Usage Guide

Creating Your First Project

  1. Launch the app: First launch shows onboarding
  2. Create a project: Tap "Projects" and create a new project
  3. Name your idea: Give it a descriptive name
  4. Set a goal date: When do you want to launch?

Answering Questions

Sequential Mode (Recommended for first time):

  • Navigate to a category (CORE, BUDGET, etc.)
  • Tap "Start" to begin step-by-step flow
  • Answer each question
  • Progress bar shows completion

Browse Mode:

  • Browse all questions in a category
  • Tap any question to answer
  • Questions show completion status
  • Skip and return later as needed

Search Mode:

  • Use the search bar at top
  • Find specific questions or topics
  • Filter by category, model stage, or keywords

Question Types

Text Questions:

  • Open-ended responses
  • Support long-form answers
  • Auto-save as you type

Multiple Choice:

  • Single selection from options
  • Clear visual indication of choice
  • Can change answer anytime

Ranking Questions:

  • Drag to reorder options
  • Forces prioritization
  • Reveals true preferences

Managing Projects

  • Switch Projects: Tap project name in header
  • View All Projects: Navigate to Projects section
  • Progress Overview: See completion across all categories
  • Edit Details: Tap project to edit name, description, goal date

Cloud Sync

  • Automatic Backup: Projects auto-save to iCloud (if signed in)
  • Cross-Device: Access projects on all your Apple devices
  • Privacy: Data stays in your private iCloud container
  • Offline First: Works completely offline, syncs when connected

Question Framework

Category Breakdown

CORE (Partnership Structure)

  • Vision and idea clarity
  • Founder roles and responsibilities
  • Strengths and collaboration needs
  • Decision-making approach

Example Questions:

  • "Rank what best characterizes your current relationship with your idea"
  • "Which role best reflects how you intend to contribute to bringing your idea to life?"
  • "Rank the expertise you'd most need from collaborators"

BUDGET (Financial Considerations)

  • Cost sensitivity and financial constraints
  • Revenue model and pricing strategy
  • Investment requirements
  • Sustainability and profitability

BRAND (Intellectual Property)

  • Identity and positioning
  • Privacy and creator ownership
  • Content rights and attribution
  • Brand values and voice

PRODUCT (Production Quality)

  • Feature prioritization
  • User experience goals
  • Quality standards
  • Technical approach

RISK (Risk Management)

  • Security considerations
  • Compliance and legal
  • Sustainability concerns
  • Failure modes and mitigation

GROW (Growth Opportunities)

  • Market expansion strategy
  • Scaling approach
  • Distribution channels
  • Long-term vision

Technical Highlights

Performance Optimizations

  • Lazy Loading: Questions load on-demand
  • Pre-initialized Ranking: Ranking questions pre-populate for instant display
  • Efficient State Management: Combine-based reactive updates
  • Background Sync: CloudKit operations don't block UI

User Experience Details

  • Monospaced Fonts: Consistent, focused reading experience
  • Smart Defaults: Sensible values for all settings
  • Forgiving Input: Flexible answer formats and validation
  • Progress Preservation: Never lose work, auto-save on every change

Code Quality

  • Type Safety: Strong typing throughout, minimal force-unwrapping
  • Error Handling: Graceful fallbacks for all failure scenarios
  • Backward Compatibility: Handles legacy question formats
  • Extensible Design: Easy to add new question types and categories

Roadmap & Future Development

Planned Features

  • Answer export to PDF/Markdown
  • Project templates for common idea types
  • Collaboration features (shared projects)
  • Integration with theunpartyapp web platform
  • Custom question creation
  • AI-powered insight generation
  • Analytics dashboard (completion patterns, time spent, etc.)
  • Multiple language support

Integration Goals

  • Connect with theunpartyrunway for cost tracking per project
  • Send anonymized analytics to theunpartycrawler for pattern analysis
  • Enable project publishing to theunpartyapp web platform
  • Cross-link with theunpartyunppp journal entries

Security & Privacy

Creator Ownership

  • All project data stored locally by default
  • CloudKit data stays in your private iCloud container
  • No server-side analytics or tracking
  • Export feature maintains full data control

Data Protection

  • App sandbox for file system isolation
  • iCloud encryption in transit and at rest
  • No third-party analytics or advertising SDKs
  • Minimal permissions (only iCloud if enabled)

Cost Sensitivity

  • Free to use, no subscriptions or in-app purchases
  • CloudKit storage covered by user's iCloud plan
  • No hidden costs or data fees
  • Designed for offline-first operation

Contributing

Development Guidelines

  • Follow Swift API design guidelines
  • Maintain SwiftUI best practices
  • Ensure backward compatibility for data formats
  • Add tests for new question types
  • Update documentation with new features

Code Style

  • Use SwiftLint for consistent formatting
  • Prefer immutability where possible
  • Document public APIs with code comments
  • Use descriptive variable names (clarity over brevity)

UNPARTY Methodology Alignment

ABOUT → BUILD → CONNECT

theunpartyclock embodies the UNPARTY methodology at every level:

  1. ABOUT: Questions help creators understand their ideas deeply
  2. BUILD: Structured framework enables creation of actionable plans
  3. CONNECT: Clean data model facilitates sharing insights with others

The 6-Dimension Framework (5 Gatekeepers + GROW)

The app extends the standard 5 Gatekeepers framework used in theunpartyrunway with GROW as a sixth dimension, acknowledging that personal projects need growth consideration from day one:

  • CORE: Partnership and vision alignment
  • BUDGET: Financial sustainability
  • BRAND: Identity and ownership
  • PRODUCT: Quality and execution
  • RISK: Security and resilience
  • GROW: Scale and expansion (unique to unclock)

License

Copyright © 2025 UNPARTY LLC. All rights reserved.

This is proprietary software developed for the UNPARTY ecosystem. See the LICENSE file for details.


Support & Contact

  • Issues: Report bugs via GitHub Issues
  • Discussions: Share ideas in GitHub Discussions
  • Documentation: See inline code comments and this README
  • Ecosystem Docs: Refer to UNPARTY ecosystem documentation for integration details

  • UNPARTY Ecosystem Overview: See issue documenting all 36 repositories
  • theunpartyapp: Web platform for public content
  • theunpartyunppp: Daily journaling companion
  • theunpartyrunway: Development workflow automation
  • theunpartycrawler: Analytics and conversation intelligence

Last Updated: 2025-10-29
Maintained By: UNPARTY LLC
Version: 1.0 (Active Development)


Quick Start Commands

bash

# Clone and setup
git clone https://github.com/unparty-app/theunpartyclock.git
cd theunpartyclock
open unclock.xcodeproj

# Build via Xcode
# Press Cmd+B

# Run on simulator
# Press Cmd+R

# Run tests
# Press Cmd+U

Status: ✅ Documented as part of UNPARTY ecosystem (5/36 repositories documented)
Focus: Measurable creator progress through ABOUT → BUILD → CONNECT while protecting ownership, privacy, and cost-sensitivity.