> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://zawuoff.gitbook.io/zawuoff-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://zawuoff.gitbook.io/zawuoff-docs/about/introduction.md). # Introduction ### What is Pebbl? Pebbl is an AI-powered learning companion and writing mentor built to fight the “brainrot” caused by overreliance on AI. Instead of outsourcing your thinking, Pebbl nudges you with smart questions, helping you dump, organize, and refine your thoughts into polished essays or academic drafts. It also includes a lecture note-taker: upload audio or video, and Pebbl quizzes you, chats about key points, and builds deep understanding. Voice input means you can brainstorm while walking, working out, or just vibing—perfect for neurodivergent learners like those with ADHD. Gamified milestones reward engagement and skill growth, keeping learning fun and active. The app leverages cutting-edge AI technology and offline voice recognition to provide two primary learning modes: 1. **Conversational Essay Development**: Students speak their initial thoughts on a topic, and Pebbl's AI assistant asks intelligent follow-up questions to deepen their thinking. The entire conversation is then transformed into a polished academic draft. 2. **Lecture Documentation**: Students can record lectures with real-time transcription, then receive AI-generated overviews, detailed notes, comprehensive summaries, and flashcards for review. ### What inspired it? Recent research has raised alarm about AI’s damaging effect on cognitive skills: students relying too heavily on AI show lower brain engagement, lack of originality and lowered attention spans (Kosmyna et al., 2025). Our user research revealed that students feel overwhelmed, struggle with structuring ideas, and feel a sense of loss of ownership over their learning. Meanwhile, educators are observing the detrimental effects of mass AI overreliance while feeling helpless in terms of detecting it, and lacking healthy alternatives to suggest. This gap produced our solution: a truly and solely assistive AI tool that preserves your voice, grows your brainpower and makes learning genuinely enjoyable again. We hope to automate learning while promoting positive cognitive growth and individual originality! #### Key benefits * **Offline-First Design**: Voice recognition works entirely offline using Vosk SDK * **Privacy-Focused**: Audio never leaves your device; only text is sent to AI * **Customizable Output**: Control draft tone, refinement level, and word count * **Achievement System**: Track your learning journey with milestone "Pebbles" * **Modern UI**: Built with Jetpack Compose and Material Design 3 #### Use cases * **Essay Planning**: Transform brainstorming sessions into structured drafts * **Lecture Review**: Never miss important lecture content with AI-generated notes * **Exam Preparation**: Use flashcards generated from lecture transcriptions * **Research Documentation**: Record research discussions and convert to academic format * **Language Learning**: Practice speaking while building written content --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://zawuoff.gitbook.io/zawuoff-docs/about/introduction.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.