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User Guide

Everything you need to know about tracking your real daily life load.

Getting Started

VitalForge tracks your total daily physical and mental load using a science-based Effort Score (1-100). Unlike gym-focused apps, it recognizes invisible effort: housework, parenting, caregiving, standing all day, and errands. Your effort counts -- we see it.

Effort Score System

The Effort Score uses MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values from the Compendium of Physical Activities, a peer-reviewed database from Arizona State University.

SedentaryDesk work, resting -- capped at 21
StandingRetail, teaching, cooking -- capped at 35
WalkingErrands, housework, childcare -- capped at 40
VigorousRunning, HIIT, heavy lifting -- up to 100

Only vigorous exercise (MET 6+) can score above 50. Daily scores from multiple activities add up, capped at 100.

Recovery Index

The Recovery Index (15-100) calculates your daily readiness using three pillars:

Status tiers: Forged (85+), Steady (60+), Drained (40+), Empty (below 40). A 15-point baseline ensures nobody ever hits zero.

Mission Mode (GPS)

Turn everyday errands into tracked missions with real-time GPS mapping on a dark tactical map with neon-green trails.

Solo1.0x multiplier -- standard errand
Ruck1.2x -- carrying groceries or gear
Anchor1.3x -- pushing stroller, cart
Human Load1.5x -- carrying a child

Objectives: Supply Run, Daily Commute, Domestic Patrol, Hand-Off, or Custom.

Nutrition Tracking

Log meals with a built-in food database, AI analysis for custom foods, barcode scanning, and photo meal scanning (Pro). Save favorite meals for one-tap re-logging.

Wellness Tracking

Track hydration (glasses/day with goal), sleep hours, stress (1-10), and energy (1-10). All free. This data feeds directly into your Recovery Index.

XP and Leveling

Earn XP for every action you take:

Level tiers: Recruit (1-5), Amateur (6-10), Semi-Pro (11-20), Pro (21-35), Elite (36-50), Legend (51+).

Forge-Link (Partner System)

Link with a partner or co-parent using an invite code. See a Sync-Score gauge showing how aligned your recovery states are. Send Tactical Assist nudges:

AI Journal (Forge Recap)

AI-powered daily, weekly, and monthly summaries analyzing your actual tracking data. Voice-to-diary (Pro) lets you speak your thoughts while AI contextualizes them with your effort, nutrition, and recovery data.

Free vs Pro

Free (forever)All tracking, 40 AI credits/week, basic recap, recovery score
Pro ($9.99 lifetime)Unlimited AI, supplements, photo scanning, full recaps, recovery insights
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