A real-time, gamified AI-moderated debate platform where users match Tinder-style and enter a Battle Arena. An AI Moderator assigns petty, meme-based debate topics. Witty, on-topic arguments ("Good Strikes") reduce opponent HP — toxic messages penalize the sender.

"Pokémon battles for debates." — Wit is your weapon.

BattleBrain/
├── backend/              # Node.js + Express + Socket.IO server
│   ├── src/              # Layered architecture (config → services → handlers)
│   ├── BACKEND_ARCHITECTURE.md
│   └── README.md
├── frontend/             # React + Vite SPA
│   ├── src/              # Components, pages, hooks, services
│   ├── FRONTEND_ARCHITECTURE.md
│   └── README.md
├── PROJECT_PLAN.md       # Phased development roadmap
└── README.md             # ← You are here

• Node.js ≥ 18
• MongoDB instance (local or Atlas)
• OpenAI-compatible API key (for GPT-oss 120b)

cd backend
npm install
cp .env.example .env       # Add your OPENAI_API_KEY + MONGODB_URI
npm run dev                 # → http://localhost:3000

cd frontend
npm install
npm run dev                 # → http://localhost:5173

1. Fork the repo
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

MIT