HelpMePost

HelpMePost is a small web app that helps you turn one idea + a few uploads (images/videos) into a ready-to-post draft.

If you want a plain-language walkthrough, start with docs/USER_GUIDE.md.

You can use it two ways:

• Template Draft (no AI): works offline and doesn’t need an API key.
• AI Draft: uses an OpenAI key to generate more tailored copy.

It also supports posting to Bluesky (images only) if you provide your handle + an App Password.

How to use (in the browser)

1. Open the app in your browser.
2. Upload your images/videos.
3. Fill in Focus (what the post is about).
4. (Optional) Add Audience, Tone, and Tags/hashtags.
5. Choose options:
   • Template Draft (no AI) if you don’t want to use an API key.
   • Add emojis (light touch)
   • Call-to-action (CTA): if enabled, you must provide a link or @handle.
6. Click Generate.
7. Copy the draft text.

Bluesky posting (optional)

If you want HelpMePost to post the result to Bluesky:

• Select 1–4 images (videos aren’t supported for posting).
• Enter your Bluesky handle and an App Password (recommended by Bluesky).
• Click Post to Bluesky.

Notes:

• The app does not use your main Bluesky password.
• If an image is too large for Bluesky’s upload limits, the app will try to compress it.

“Why are there hashtags I didn’t pick?”

When generating a draft, the app may suggest extra hashtags/keywords to improve reach based on your focus text.

If you prefer strict control, you can later add a “lock hashtags” mode (only the tags you typed/clicked).

Install & run (simple local setup)

You only need Python.

python3 -m venv .venv
. .venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
cp .env.example .env

# Load variables from .env into your shell (this repo does not auto-load .env)
set -a
. ./.env
set +a

export FLASK_APP=wsgi.py
flask run

Then open http://127.0.0.1:5000.

Template Draft mode (no API key)

If you don’t set OPENAI_API_KEY, you can still use the app by enabling Template Draft (no AI) in the UI.

Configuration (optional)

These are optional environment variables that customize the landing page (suggestions + default switches):

• HMP_AUDIENCE_SUGGESTIONS — comma-separated list (or JSON list)
• HMP_TAG_SUGGESTIONS — comma-separated list (or JSON list)
• HMP_TONE_SUGGESTIONS — comma-separated list (or JSON list)
• HMP_DEFAULT_TEMPLATE_MODE — 0 or 1
• HMP_DEFAULT_ADD_EMOJIS — 0 or 1
• HMP_DEFAULT_INCLUDE_CTA — 0 or 1
• HMP_DEFAULT_CTA_TARGET — default CTA destination (e.g. @your-handle)

Privacy & safety notes

• This app is intended for personal/small-team use.
• Uploaded files and the SQLite database are stored on the machine running the app (under instance/).
• Never commit secrets. Keep .env out of git (this repo already ignores it).

Production deployment

If you want to deploy this on a Linux server behind Apache, see docs/APACHE.md.