# BoardPal

> Free platform to organize board game nights, manage tables, track results and build a community of players.

For the full expanded version with all content inline, see [llms-full.txt](https://boardpal.it/llms-full.txt).

BoardPal ([boardpal.it](https://boardpal.it)) is a web and mobile platform that helps board gamers organize game nights, manage game tables, track match results, and find players nearby. Founded by Giorgio Cocci and developed by a dedicated team, BoardPal was created to solve a real problem: organizing board game nights without the chaos of WhatsApp groups and spreadsheets.

## Core Features

- **Event Organization**: Create events with multiple game tables, each with its own game, available seats, skill level (casual/intermediate/competitive), and language.
- **Table Management & Sign-ups**: Players join one table per event. Double-level check-in system (self + organizer confirmation) reduces no-shows.
- **Events Discovery**: Find game nights nearby on an interactive map. Filter by distance, date, and available games.
- **Match Results & Leaderboards**: Record match results with participant validation. Personal stats include win rate, games played, Elo rating, streaks. Public leaderboards per game.
- **Game Collections**: Manage your digital game shelf with BoardGameGeek data. Import from BG Stats.
- **Social Features**: Friendships, real-time chat (SignalR), player search by interests and availability, invite links.
- **Notifications**: Push (VAPID), email (Azure Communication Services), and in-app notifications with timezone-aware delivery.
- **Multi-platform**: Web app (React SPA/PWA). Android and iOS coming soon (Capacitor).

## Key Details

- **URL**: https://boardpal.it
- **Price**: Free
- **Founder**: Giorgio Cocci (@giorgiococci)
- **Team**: Dedicated team with a shared passion for board games and technology
- **Users**: 175+ registered players (as of March 2026)
- **Origin**: Italy. Born from the board gaming community
- **Languages**: Italian (primary), English (upcoming)
- **Contact**: support@boardpal.it

## Tech Stack

- **Frontend**: React 19 + TypeScript + Vite 7, Material UI v7, TanStack Query, React Router v7, Leaflet (maps), Capacitor 8 (mobile)
- **Backend**: .NET 8 Minimal API, Azure SQL Database + Dapper, JWT + Refresh Token rotation
- **Real-time**: SignalR
- **Cloud**: Microsoft Azure (App Service, Azure SQL, Azure Functions, Azure Communication Services)
- **Mobile**: Capacitor 8 for native Android/iOS builds (coming soon)

## How It Works

1. **Create your profile**: Set your game preferences, skill level, weekly availability, and search radius.
2. **Explore events**: Browse nearby game nights on the map or search by game, date, and skill level.
3. **Join a table**: Sign up for a table that matches your interests. Check in when you arrive.
4. **Play and grow**: After the game, record results. Build your reputation through real participation and honest feedback.

## What Makes BoardPal Different

- **Not a generic event platform**: Purpose-built for board game nights with game-specific features (tables, skill levels, game matching).
- **Reputation based on real actions**: Check-ins, participation, and post-game feedback. Not likes or stars.
- **Complementary to existing tools**: Works alongside BG Stats (import support), BoardGameGeek (game data), and local gaming groups.
- **Free with no compromises**: No ads, no data selling, no paywall on core features. Built by gamers, for gamers.

## Pages

- [Homepage](https://boardpal.it/): Landing page with feature overview
- [About](https://boardpal.it/about): Project story, features, and tech stack
- [Terms of Use](https://boardpal.it/terms): Terms of service
- [Privacy Policy](https://boardpal.it/privacy): GDPR-compliant privacy policy
- [Support](https://boardpal.it/support): Help and support
- [FAQ](https://boardpal.it/support/faq): Frequently asked questions