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Profile & Settings

Your profile is your identity on BookWish. Customize how you appear to other readers and configure your account preferences to get the most out of the platform.

Accessing Settings​

To access your profile and settings:

  1. Tap your avatar in the top navigation bar
  2. Select "Edit Profile & Settings" from the profile overlay
  3. The settings screen has two main tabs:
    • Account: Profile information, subscription, home store, addresses, security
    • Preferences: Notifications, privacy, stock alerts, blocked users

Code Reference: Settings interface is in /app/lib/ui/overlays/settings_overlay.dart

Account Settings​

Profile Information​

Edit your public profile details:

Display Name​

  • Your name as shown to other readers
  • Can be your real name or a pseudonym
  • Appears on all your posts, reviews, and wishlists

Username​

  • Your unique @handle
  • Used for mentions and profile URLs
  • Must be unique across BookWish
  • Alphanumeric characters and underscores only

Email Address​

  • Used for login and notifications
  • Must be verified
  • Cannot be changed to an email already in use
  • Shown only on your own profile (never public)

Profile Photo​

  • Upload a custom avatar image
  • Tap the camera icon on your avatar
  • Supported formats: JPG, PNG
  • Recommended size: 512x512 pixels
  • If no photo is set, displays your initials

Code Details: Profile editing is handled in /app/lib/ui/overlays/settings_overlay.dart (lines 119-494).

Making Changes

To edit your profile:

  1. Tap "Edit Profile" button
  2. Modify any fields
  3. Tap "Save" to apply changes
  4. Or "Cancel" to discard

Subscription Management​

View and manage your BookWish subscription tier:

Free Plan​

  • Up to 3 wishlists
  • Basic features
  • View public content
  • Follow users

Premium Plan​

  • Unlimited wishlists - create as many as you need
  • Unlimited posts - share Lines, Reviews, and notes
  • Create book clubs - start and host reading groups
  • Create challenges - design reading challenges
  • Priority support - get help faster

The subscription card shows:

  • Your current plan name
  • Renewal date (for active subscriptions)
  • Expiration date (for cancelled subscriptions)
  • Tap to view details or upgrade

Implementation: Subscription UI is in /app/lib/ui/overlays/settings_overlay.dart (lines 1259-1353).

Home Store​

Set your local independent bookstore for personalized features:

Why Set a Home Store?​

  • Local inventory - see what's in stock near you
  • Stock alerts - get notified when wishlist books arrive
  • Support local - your searches prioritize your home store
  • Community - connect with fellow readers at your store

How to Set Your Home Store​

  1. In Account settings, find "Home Store" section
  2. Tap "Choose Home Store"
  3. Search for stores by name or location
  4. Select your preferred store
  5. Confirm the selection

Managing Your Home Store​

Once set, you can:

  • Change store - tap the menu icon and select "Change Store"
  • Remove store - tap the menu icon and select "Remove"
  • View store details including address and hours

Code Reference: Home store management is in /app/lib/ui/overlays/settings_overlay.dart (lines 1027-1257).

Shipping Addresses​

Manage your saved shipping addresses for faster checkout:

Adding an Address​

  1. In Account settings, scroll to "Shipping Addresses"
  2. Tap the "Add" button
  3. Fill in the address form:
    • Label (e.g., "Home", "Work", "Parents")
    • Full name
    • Address line 1 (street address)
    • Address line 2 (apartment, suite - optional)
    • City
    • State
    • Postal code
    • Phone number (optional)
  4. Tap "Save"

Managing Addresses​

For each saved address, you can:

  • Edit - tap the menu and select "Edit"
  • Set as default - used automatically at checkout
  • Delete - remove addresses you no longer need

Default addresses are highlighted with a special badge.

Implementation: Address management uses /app/lib/ui/widgets/address_form_dialog.dart and the addresses section is in /app/lib/ui/overlays/settings_overlay.dart (lines 1355-1524).

Security​

Change Password​

To update your password:

  1. Tap "Change Password" in the Security section
  2. Enter your current password
  3. Enter your new password (must meet requirements)
  4. Confirm the new password
  5. Tap "Change"

Password Requirements:

  • Minimum 8 characters
  • At least one uppercase letter
  • At least one lowercase letter
  • At least one number
  • Cannot be the same as your email

Code Reference: Password change dialog is in /app/lib/ui/overlays/settings_overlay.dart (lines 835-1025).

Preferences​

Switch to the Preferences tab to configure app behavior and privacy settings.

Notifications​

Control how BookWish keeps you informed:

Push Notifications​

  • Receive real-time alerts on your device
  • Includes: new followers, likes, comments, stock alerts
  • Toggle on/off instantly
  • Requires device permission (granted during onboarding)

Email Notifications​

  • Receive updates via email
  • Includes: weekly summaries, important account updates
  • Toggle on/off independently from push
  • Sent to your registered email address

Code Reference: Notification preferences in /app/lib/ui/overlays/settings_overlay.dart (lines 513-540).

Privacy​

Private Profile​

When enabled:

  • Only followers can see your activity
  • Your wishlists are hidden from non-followers
  • Your posts don't appear in public feeds
  • You can still follow others and view public content

When disabled (default):

  • Anyone can see your public wishlists
  • Your posts appear in community feeds
  • Your profile is searchable
Individual Wishlist Privacy

Even with a public profile, you can make individual wishlists private. See Managing Wishlists.

Implementation: Privacy toggle in /app/lib/ui/overlays/settings_overlay.dart (lines 543-557).

Stock Alerts​

View and manage alerts for books in your wishlists:

  • Active alerts show which books you're tracking at which stores
  • Each alert displays the book cover, title, and store name
  • Remove alerts by tapping the bell icon
  • Alerts automatically trigger when stores add matching books

Stock alerts are tied to your home store and wishlist items.

Code Reference: Stock alerts section in /app/lib/ui/overlays/settings_overlay.dart (lines 559-631).

Blocked Users​

Manage users you've blocked for a better experience:

Viewing Blocked Users​

  • See a list of all blocked accounts
  • Each entry shows the user's avatar, name, and username
  • Empty state shows "No blocked users"

Unblocking Users​

  • Tap "Unblock" next to any user
  • They can interact with you again immediately
  • You can re-block them later if needed

Implementation: Blocked users list in /app/lib/ui/overlays/settings_overlay.dart (lines 633-692).

Browser the Cat​

BookWish's helpful mascot can guide you through the app:

Show Browser Toggle​

  • Enabled (default): Browser appears with helpful tips
  • Disabled: Tips are hidden for a cleaner interface

Browser provides:

  • First-time feature hints
  • Contextual help messages
  • Celebration messages for achievements
  • Gentle guidance without being intrusive

You can always re-enable Browser if you change your mind!

Code Reference: Browser toggle in /app/lib/ui/overlays/settings_overlay.dart (lines 694-718).

Profile Viewing​

When you or others view your profile, it displays:

Profile Header​

  • Avatar (photo or initials)
  • Display name
  • Username (@handle)
  • Email (only visible to you)

Statistics​

  • Number of wishlists
  • Followers count (tap to view list)
  • Following count (tap to view list)

Home Store Card​

Shows your selected home store with:

  • Store logo
  • Store name
  • City and state

Account Type Badge​

Visual indicator of your tier:

  • Free Reader - blue book icon
  • Premium Reader - gold star icon
  • Bookstore Owner - maroon building icon
  • Guest - gray person icon

Actions (Own Profile)​

  • "Edit Profile & Settings" button to access settings

Actions (Other Profiles)​

  • Follow/Unfollow button
  • Block, Mute, or Report options

Code Reference: Profile overlay in /app/lib/ui/overlays/profile_overlay.dart.

Best Practices​

Profile Photo​

  • Use a clear, recognizable image
  • Avoid low-resolution or blurry photos
  • Consider using your face for authenticity

Display Name​

  • Use a name you want to be known by
  • Keep it appropriate and friendly
  • Consider privacy if using your real name

Home Store​

  • Choose your actual local store for best results
  • Update it if you move
  • Support stores you want to thrive

Privacy Settings​

  • Review your privacy preferences periodically
  • Adjust based on your comfort level
  • Remember individual wishlists can be private

Next Steps​