Setup Guide

No accounts, no passwords, no app stores. Just scan, configure, and go.

🚀 Quick Start (Recommended)

Get up and running in about 60 seconds - no cables or technical knowledge required.

  1. Install the app: Download Play Post from the Playdate catalog onto your device
  2. Launch & scan: Open the app and you'll see a QR code on screen. Scan it with your phone's camera.
  3. Add your VIPs: The setup page opens in your browser. Add the people your child can write to - grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends. Just their name and email.
  4. Confirm & connect: Tap "Complete Setup" and watch the magic happen. Your Playdate receives the configuration over WiFi automatically.

What happens behind the scenes:

  • Your Playdate generates a unique device ID and secret key
  • The QR code contains a secure link to your personal setup page
  • Contacts are stored encrypted and linked only to your device
  • Your child never sees email addresses - just friendly names
  • No account creation, no passwords to remember, no data harvesting

🔒 Self-Hosted Setup

For maximum privacy, run your own server. Your data never touches our infrastructure.

You'll need:

  • A free Cloudflare account (for hosting the worker)
  • A Gemini API key (for voice transcription - free tier available)
  • A Resend API key (for sending emails - free tier available)
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/joshuacrowley/playpost-server
cd playpost/worker

# Install & configure
npm install
wrangler secret put GEMINI_API_KEY
wrangler secret put RESEND_API_KEY

# Deploy to your Cloudflare account
wrangler deploy

Once deployed, the QR setup flow works identically - your Playdate just points to your own worker URL instead of ours.

See the full self-hosting guide for step-by-step instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I lose the QR code?

Just restart the app on your Playdate - it will show a new QR code. Your previous setup will still work.

Can I add more contacts later?

Yes! Run the setup again from your Playdate and add more contacts. Your existing contacts will be replaced with the new list.

What happens to the voice recordings?

Voice recordings are transcribed into text and immediately deleted. We never store audio files - only the transcribed letter text for delivery.

How do replies work?

When someone receives a letter, they simply reply to the email. Their reply is delivered to your child's Playdate inbox automatically.

Ready to get started?

Download Play Post from the Playdate catalog and follow the on-screen instructions.

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