# The simultaneous reveal

> On check-in day, when both of you mark ready, both weeks appear at the same time on both phones. Nobody goes first. The whole product is built around this one mechanic.

The simultaneous reveal is the core mechanic of Open Heart. It's the thing that makes the rest of the app worth using.

## Why we built it this way

In most relationships, one person tends to be the one who brings things up. The other tends to react. Over time, the bringer-up gets tired of always having to be the brave one. The reactor gets tired of feeling ambushed. Both stop saying things.

The reveal mechanic redistributes that cost. Neither of you has to be brave first. The structure carries the timing.

## How it works, step by step

1. **During the week**, you and your partner each write entries on your own phones. Neither of you can see the other's entries yet.
2. **On check-in day**, each of you opens the check-in tab and taps **I'm ready** when you've finished writing.
3. **When the second person taps ready**, both phones light up at almost exactly the same moment. Both weeks open up. Both of you see everything together.
4. **You can re-read the reveal** for the rest of the week. It doesn't disappear after the first viewing.

There's no scenario where one of you sees the reveal and the other doesn't. Either it fires for both of you or it waits.

## What you see when it opens

- **A summary up top** — overall tone for the week (mostly warm, mixed, mostly heavy), how many entries each of you wrote, average emotional intensity.
- **Both weeks in order**, with each of you color-coded so you can tell at a glance who wrote what.
- **Four conversation starters** below — questions tuned to the specific things you both wrote, designed to help you start talking. ([How starters work](/docs/features/ai-conversation-starters))
- **An optional outcome form** for after you've talked.

## What it isn't

- **Not a reveal of secrets.** Every entry was written knowing the reveal was coming. Nothing is gotcha-style.
- **Not a deadline.** If only one of you has marked ready, the reveal waits. It doesn't fire on a schedule.
- **Not one-shot.** The reveal stays available — you can go back and re-read your week and your partner's week as many times as you want.

## What if my partner isn't ready

The check-in waits. Your entries stay locked on our servers. You have three options:

- **Keep waiting.** The check-in rolls into the next day. The day counter updates ("3 days late") so you both can see the slip.
- **Reveal solo.** You can tap "Reveal solo" to see your own week without your partner's. They still won't see anything until they mark ready themselves.
- **Move the day.** Either of you can request a new check-in day in Settings. The other has to accept.

We deliberately don't fire the reveal one-sided after a deadline. The structure only works if both of you opted in.

## Related

- [Your entries are private](/docs/features/end-to-end-encryption)
- [Conversation starters after the reveal](/docs/features/ai-conversation-starters)
- [What happens after the reveal](/docs/getting-started/first-checkin)