James Barrett

Using AI to write code is shit when you’ve only got one project.

I need to find a better way to use the gaps while it runs.

Finishing all the setup always feels nice, until you realise you’ll repeat most of it on the next idea.

Need a better way to start new projects.

I’m adding workspace support early, even though it won’t be usable yet.

It's easier to start with `workspace_id` everywhere than to refactor from `user_id` once there’s real data.

Good morning.

Starting the week by adding workspace architecture to Detailed. Users will still have one personal workspace for now. I just want the structure in place before there’s real data in the database.

What are you working on today?

Spent ages trying to get Codex to run Vitest. It kept failing because Codex was stuck on Node 16. Turns out it was because of nvm. I installed Node 22 without it, and everything just worked.

Working on one project with Codex is boring.
I need more projects to fill the waiting time 😅

Most product management tools aren’t made for indie devs. They’re made for managers who love meetings, sprints and reports.

I’m building Detailed for people who just want to stay organised and keep shipping.

How do you stay consistent when you’re posting into the void?

I’m building Detailed, a product management app for indie developers.

Trying to get better at building in public, but right now it feels pointless.

Curious how others stay motivated when it feels like no one’s watching.

Plan: gpt-5-high
Code: gpt-5-codex-medium
🐐

ESLint warnings are just noise:

- If it matters, make it an error.
- If it doesn’t, turn it off.
- The only time "warn" makes sense is when you’re rolling out a new rule.

Spent some time today on the boring stuff for Detailed:

- Backend tests on Postgres with parallel Pest
- Queues and cache on Redis
- Larastan level 7
- Laravel Sail set up
- Vitest and React Testing Library

Can’t wait to start building features, but I like having a solid setup first.

Wtf? Codex tried to heredoc my .env in tests.yml 🤣

Straight copy and paste

Day 1 of going full indie

$0 MRR, no team, no funding, single parent, homeschooling my son

Wish me luck. I think I need it 😅

My tech stack for Detailed

- Laravel
- React
- Typescript
- Tailwind
- Shadcn
- Postgres
- Redis

Chosen for speed, simplicity and because I know them inside out

Good morning!

I can’t wait to start building Detailed tomorrow, especially because it’s something I’d use every day. But today, I’ll be playing Roblox and stuff with my little boy.

What’s your plan for today?

A public roadmap and changelog isn’t just transparency. It’s marketing.

Every update is a chance to remind people you’re shipping.

Most tools are team focused.

I'm creating Detailed for solo builders who want less overhead and more output.

Finished my PRD for Detailed.

I'll start coding on Monday, after a weekend off with my son.

Time to move from planning to shipping.

Good morning!

Finishing a few last things on my PRD for Detailed this morning, then taking the rest of the weekend off with my son.

What’s your plan for the weekend?

I’m an indie dev building Detailed: product management for indie devs who want to ship fast & build in public.

Expect progress updates, lessons learned, and mistakes made along the way.

Follow if you’re building solo and want to ship faster.