OpenAI 2026 hackathon

First Move

From stuck to one small, intentional action.

Solo project by hanli zhang · 0 likes · 0 comments

Archive position — measured, not model output

0 likes on Devpost

2,264 of the 7,856 archived projects have more likes, and 5,592 share exactly 0 — so this project's #4,120 place in the like-ranked listing is a tie-break inside that group, not a ranking.

Projects (log scale)

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Likes on Devpost. ▲ marks this project's group.

Show the figures
LikesProjectsShare of archive
05,59271.2%
11,75822.4%
22853.6%
3–41321.7%
5–9751.0%
10+140.2%
Devpost like counts for all 7,856 archived projects, captured when this archive was built.

Executive Summary

What the company appears to be

First Move is a self-reported productivity and wellbeing web app built around a loop of noticing being stuck, choosing an intentional direction, taking one small action, and receiving immediate feedback. It uses GPT-5.6 for two specific AI-powered tasks: multimodal morning check (image analysis) and structured daily planning. The product is described as a responsive web app with browser-based data storage, no server-side persistence, and a virtual kitten reward system.

What changed

The author states they built this tool from a personal problem — difficulty transitioning from being stuck to taking action on low-energy days. It is presented as a new approach to productivity that begins before traditional planning tools, focusing on the step before deliberate activity.

Single most important open question

Is there evidence of user adoption or traction beyond the author’s own use and development? The description contains no data about users, revenue, customers, or usage metrics. It is entirely self-reported and unverified.

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What The Product Actually Is

The description states that First Move is a responsive web app built with Next.js, React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and browser APIs including camera capture and image processing. It uses GPT-5.6 for two specific functions:

  1. Multimodal Morning Check: GPT-5.6 analyzes an image of a toothbrush to verify morning activity.
  2. Structured Daily Planning: GPT-5.6 converts unstructured brain dumps into prioritized tasks.

The app also includes:

  • A “I’m Stuck” flow with barrier identification and intentional direction selection
  • Time tracking via countdowns or stopwatches
  • A virtual kitten reward system that provides feedback based on user activity
  • A “Today” view showing trends, calendar history, and a mini journal

All data is stored locally in the browser using localStorage. The app does not retain images or personal data beyond what is necessary for its core loop.

Evidence

  • Built with Next.js, React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
  • Uses GPT-5.6 for image analysis and task structuring
  • Browser-based storage (localStorage)
  • No server-side data persistence
  • Virtual kitten feedback system

Inference The app is designed to be lightweight and self-contained, relying on local logic for most features except two AI-driven steps.

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Positioning & Claim Evolution

The author claims that First Move focuses on the step before traditional productivity tools begin, addressing the challenge of moving from being stuck into one small intentional action. It is positioned as a tool for difficult-start days without treating rest or entertainment as failure.

It also positions itself as a non-punitive, non-medical approach to productivity — not diagnosing or treating depression but helping users transition into action.

Evidence

  • “Most productivity tools begin after the user is already ready to plan or work. First Move focuses on the step before that.”
  • “It is designed for difficult-start days without treating rest, entertainment, or an incomplete session as failure.”
  • “First Move is a productivity and wellbeing tool, not a medical service.”

Inference The positioning suggests a niche in low-energy productivity, where traditional tools fail due to their assumption of user readiness.

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Target Customer & ICP

The description does not name specific customer segments or personas. However, it implies the product targets:

  • Users who struggle with starting tasks on low-energy days
  • People who experience “being stuck” and need gentle nudges toward action
  • Individuals seeking a non-punitive approach to productivity

Evidence

  • The author’s personal problem: difficulty transitioning from being stuck into action
  • Focus on “low-energy days”
  • Emphasis on not treating rest or entertainment as failure

Inference The ICP likely includes individuals who are self-aware of their productivity challenges and prefer tools that do not judge or penalize them for inaction.

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Business Model & Pricing Evidence

There is no evidence of a business model, pricing structure, monetization strategy, or revenue streams. The product is described as a personal project built during a hackathon with no indication of commercial intent or user payment.

Evidence

  • No mention of subscriptions, fees, or paid features
  • No reference to customer acquisition costs or monetization plans
  • Product is presented as a self-contained web app

Inference The business model remains unknown. It is likely not yet monetized and may be in early-stage development.

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Technical & Delivery Signals

The product is built with:

  • Next.js App Router
  • React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
  • Browser APIs (camera capture, image processing)
  • OpenAI API via server-side routes
  • GPT-5.6 for two specific tasks
  • Local storage for data persistence

It includes:

  • Responsive design
  • Local data versioning and migration
  • Manual fallbacks for AI calls
  • Defensive validation of browser data
  • Timer logic that survives refreshes
  • SVG animations and responsive UI components

Evidence

  • Built with Next.js, React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
  • Uses GPT-5.6 via server-side API routes
  • Browser-based data storage (localStorage)
  • Timers survive page refreshes
  • Manual fallbacks for AI calls

Inference The technical stack suggests a lightweight, client-side-first approach with minimal backend dependencies. The use of Codex as an engineering collaborator indicates a strong focus on rapid prototyping and iterative development.

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Traction & Maturity Signals

There is no evidence of user traction, adoption, or usage metrics. The product is described as a hackathon submission, built by one person (hanli zhang), with no mention of customers, downloads, or engagement data.

Evidence

  • Built during a hackathon
  • One-person team
  • No revenue, customer, or adoption data

Inference The product has not yet demonstrated any measurable traction or market validation. It is in an early-stage prototype phase.

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Competitive Context

The description does not mention competitors or the broader competitive landscape. However, it implies a niche in productivity tools that focus on low-energy transitions, which may overlap with:

  • Habit-tracking apps
  • Time management tools
  • Mindfulness and wellbeing platforms
  • AI-powered planners

Evidence

  • No direct competitor references
  • Focus on “being stuck” and “intentional action”

Inference The product may compete with or complement existing productivity tools, but no explicit comparison or competitive positioning is provided.

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Key Risks & Red Flags

  1. No commercial traction or user data: The project is described as a personal hackathon submission with no evidence of adoption.
  2. Unproven AI integration: While GPT-5.6 is used for two specific tasks, there’s no indication of how well it performs in practice or whether it scales.
  3. Single-person development: The entire product was built by one individual, raising questions about scalability and long-term maintenance.
  4. No monetization strategy: There is no evidence of a business model or revenue plan.
  5. Unverified claims: All descriptions are self-reported and unverified.

Evidence

  • One-person team
  • Hackathon submission
  • No user data or revenue

Inference The project lacks commercial viability indicators and may not be ready for market entry or investment.

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Diligence Questions To Ask The Founders

  1. What is the actual user base, if any? Is there evidence of adoption beyond personal use?
  2. How does the AI integration perform in practice — are there known limitations or failure modes?
  3. Has there been any feedback from users outside of the author’s own experience?
  4. What is the plan for scaling beyond a single-person build and browser-based storage?
  5. Are there any plans to monetize or commercialize this product?
  6. How does the virtual kitten system balance reward without creating guilt or pressure?

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Investment/Partnership Verdict

Not evidenced.

There is no evidence of revenue, customers, traction, or a clear business model. The project is described as a personal hackathon submission with no indication of commercial intent or market validation.

The author states that the product is “not yet monetized” and “not ready for market entry,” suggesting it is in an early prototype phase.

Confidence Low This analysis is based entirely on self-reported, unverified information. No third-party data, user feedback, or financials are available to assess commercial viability or investment potential.

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Source

Submitted to the OpenAI 2026 hackathon on Devpost. Project home on DevPost.

The analysis above was generated by a language model from the project's own one-line description. It is not independent research and contains no verified traction, revenue or customer data.