A patchy stretch but catching stride. Got properly sick at the start, then London hit a 35°C heatwave, then off to Scotland for Vic's 40th. Tempo dropped but didn't disappear, which I'll take.

Most of the real work went into a pipeline-flow diagram, mapping how a request actually moves through the system. Picked three request types that will stretch things, and started a heavier breakdown of the first one: activating a feature inside an existing feature and adapting the workspace layout to support it. Even this early, the diagram is uncovering a lot of what's missing.

That mapping surfaced a missing piece: where decisions and intent actually live, shaping how a request gets handled and making calls for the system and the user when needed. Also started thinking properly about memory, state and how things stay in sync over time. Built up a vocabulary so I can actually reason about each piece.

A lot of this is above my paygrade. I'm designing things I don't fully know yet, leaning on transferable skills to make decent guesses and studying as I go. It's slow but fun, and I'm understanding state, store, sync and signals a lot better than I did a month ago.

I built a model of how the whole system fits together - the moving parts and how they relate, with a clear structure on top for how decisions and control flow between them. Leaned into a NASA/mission metaphor as the backbone to help me understand what's needed to make this ambitious project actually reach maturity. NASA is a strong role model for a people, process and machine system run at a high level, even if the domain is completely different.

Built an inventory of every part of the system mapped against typical NASA mission lifecycle, then split it into five stages: pre-flight, vehicle, ground control, in-flight, post-flight. That turned a vague list of gaps into specific missing pieces as I was able to go granular. The shape is getting clearer, though the more I map, the more the system reveals what's still missing.

Progress is good, but honestly it's getting harder. The problem keeps growing and I'm hitting the edges of what I know, so a lot of this is studying my way forward and getting advice from my peers. Technically it's a really interesting problem though, and I'm genuinely enjoying working on it. I am trying to feel good about taking longer thinking phases versus just coding as I know it will benefit the design long term.

Finished the big rebuild I've been grinding on for weeks. One clean runtime now across web, desktop and mobile, with proper boundaries and fast feedback while I work. Felt good to ship something concrete after weeks of audit work.

Pulled the trickiest space-and-behaviour logic into its own home. I'd been treating it as a layout concern but it kept poking out into other areas, so giving it its own space was overdue.

Spent the rest of the week locking things down so parts stop bleeding into each other. Cleaner seams, less accidental coupling.

Good spot to be in. The foundation can take more weight now, and I can start moving faster on what gets built on top.

Restructuring how the system is organised - splitting the lifecycle into five distinct phases instead of four, and moving each one into its own folder. Broke a lot of things along the way, so most of these two weeks have been an audit pass.

Slow on paper, but the structure is bending the right way. Work is very pedantic and I am enjoying it for now.

April is here. I'm starting to feel the pain of repetitive work. Porting the same patterns over and over is boring, but skipping this work will cost more later.

The reason I'm doing it: I'm restructuring how the system thinks about its own work. Instead of one big undifferentiated blob, there's now a clear lifecycle - distinct stages from the moment something enters the system to when it's delivered. It's a structural shift, but the real effect is immediate: it's already showing me places where the system was quietly doing too much at the wrong place. Separating each stage should give me much more control.

The Clojure port is finally done. It's been slow to do it one by one, but the system is working and I made it to the other side. Yay!

Now rebuilding the architecture from the ground up to be cleaner and more flexible. I'm refactoring components to be more modular and reusable. It's dense amount of information, my head is burning most days because this is all new for me. Researching I found someone else independently arrived at a similar approach, which made it feel less crazy. Small validations like that matter when you're doing an unconventional approach.

Third attempt at moving to Clojure. This time taking a different approach - porting file by file with parity tests while keeping the old system running. Successfully moved first folders while everything stayed connected. Small win, but it proves the approach works.

Moved over some of the bigger, core pieces. It's slow going, but the migration is coming along. Mentally tough week - feels like churning butter on the same thing over and over and sometimes I feel like I am not building anything.

To add more pressure, I hit a setback with tooling. Pricing changes on Windsurf broke my workflow completely. Now researching alternatives to get back into a good flow. This always somehow seems to happen when you find your groove, feels like the universe is testing you. Good thing is that I'm resilient and there is always a way.

TypeScript and React are hitting their limits for what I'm building. The project is fundamentally data-driven, and the current stack feels too verbose. Started exploring Clojure as an alternative for core parts of the system.

First attempt was rough, but it taught me a lot - archived it as a learning pass. The next rebuild should be cleaner now that I understand the patterns better.

Added visual guides to watch the system work. Detaching mobile for now - it needs to work fundamentally different. Building the system for it, but won't plug it in fully until desktop is solid.

The system is getting complex enough that I needed to pause and clean house. Spent the week going folder by folder, understanding how decisions flow through the architecture. It's above my paygrade at the moment, but that's expected - just need to find better ways to manage this complexity.

Switched my tooling to Biome and did a full project reorganization. Upgraded to React 19 and the latest React Native versions - I was falling behind and getting into compatibility trouble. The native and web platforms now share the same logic source, which should cut down on the duplication I've been fighting.

Sometimes you need to step back and tidy up before you can move forward clearly.

Experimenting with making layouts more fluid and adaptive. Built a new approach that eliminates unnecessary component re-renders when layout changes. Added morphing capabilities so layout transitions animate smoothly into new positions.

Connected my work to academic research and found interesting parallels with what the science community is exploring. The architecture is becoming more declarative, which opens up new possibilities for how the system can evolve.

Started exploring how AI can understand and manipulate my layout system. Early experiments are promising - being able to adjust components through natural language feels like the right direction.

Explored how modes could be more dynamic and adaptable. Rebuilt my component library with a more modern design system - new tokens, cleaner structure, better consistency across the board.

Had a productive session aligning on the product vision now that the technical fundamentals are in place. The pieces are starting to fit together in a way that makes sense. I can see the path forward more clearly now.

Got modes switching cleanly - the video shows it in action. The whole point is that behaviour, not just layout, can be reused and recombined.

Reorganised the entire system so components, behaviours and flows live in one consistent structure, with a single entry point instead of updating each platform by hand.

The architecture is starting to look really coherent, and I understand the fundamentals much better now - including how to work with AI to speed things up. This should make building actual products much faster and more efficient.

Started mapping out the whole app as a single connected picture, and got clearer on what a "mode" really is: a set of intent-based actions that produce consistent output. Built a simple counter as my first real test of the idea. I'm replacing how pages work with self-contained pieces that can be recombined, so I can build anything without duplicating work.

Started on deeper nested layouts but hit some hard edges and parked it for now. Added native parity, reorganised things, and set up a single entry point. Pushed the simplified direction into main - I'm committed to this approach now.

Separated the validation rules from the space-sharing logic so they can run independently. The fundamental rules now hold on their own.

Started preparing components before turning the space-sharing behaviour on for them. The bigger challenge now: getting modes comprehensive enough to replace pages and routes entirely, if possible.

Rebuilt the layout foundation so it's predictable enough for AI to generate against. The space-sharing logic had gotten too complex and unstable, so I reverted to a clean version and added clearer rules for how nested elements size themselves. Some are solid; others will surface bugs.

Exploring stacked tooling across multiple viewports. Vic is building 'foundation' - an AI compliance platform on the same foundation as Diskura. We are running parallel projects to test the system.

Diskura should be the platform for Vic to manage his project eventually as a founder. First real test subject. We are still far away but it's fun to have a parallel race :)

Confirmed the core system runs on every platform - web, desktop, mobile, all working. Built the part that decides how things rearrange when space gets tight: what stays, what gives, what hides. Added tests so the behaviour is reliable, not lucky.

Multiple viewports within a window, working across all platforms.

Also wrote a Product Vision doc that finally made the bigger structure click for me - how the foundation, the product, and the things built on top all relate. Having that clear lets me build systematically instead of by feel.

Stripped down to a minimal MVP to focus on the hardest piece - how elements share space with each other. Just 2 modes and 2 components, kept on a clean branch.

Started building mobile support with Expo alongside web and desktop. Good choice to start with as there were conflicts early on. Better to mitigate them now.

Refactored the platform and moved the core into place for better cross-platform rendering.

On strategy side, researching how others approach software intent versus traditional tool-first design.

Back from Japan and settling into our new flat in London. The trip was incredible - exploring Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and soaking in the culture gave us fresh perspective. Moving into a new place right after takes more time and energy than you'd think even when just a street away, but we're finally getting comfortable.

I've been chipping away at small updates where I can. Fixed some bugs in the window delegate system, refined a few UI components, and did general maintenance work. Nothing major, but keeping things moving forward even during the chaos of a move.

Now we're taking a proper break for the holidays. Time to recharge, and come back fresh in the new year.

To everyone following along - thank you for being part of this journey. Wishing you happy holidays and a wonderful start to 2026. See you in January with renewed energy and more updates!

Testing our work rhythm from Japan this week. Not optimal conditions, but good practice for staying productive on the move. It was a wonderful trip so far.

Had strategic conversations about 2026: building a services/consulting business in parallel to the platform. We want to bootstrap as long as possible and own our relationship with customers to build something solid, not add junk to the market.

The idea is to productize what we need for our own work first. When we find a specific use case, we can service clients quickly without compromising quality. This helps us recognize true market needs.

We're generalists more than specialists - a pro and a con. This adaptability enables pivoting but we might miss the depth sometimes needed. We realized we need more knowledge about current market needs to fully lock in.

Building for ourselves first keeps us motivated. We'll reach a level we feel can be adjusted, then reach to others and build for them. It's a longer path but we feel good about it.

I merged the delegate branch to main - the pattern using delegate objects as interfaces for different environments is working well. Code is complex but the broad approach is solid. Currently debugging a multi-window switching bug.

Arigato gozaimasu!

Packing for a flat move and prepping for trip to Japan slowed us down this week, but we keep pushing to maintain momentum on non coding related tasks.

We dove into exploring what 'modes' Diskura could launch with. Mapped out roughly 50 different potential modes spanning agency work, startup needs, and various use cases, then ranked them to identify what could be core to the product versus nice-to-have features.

This exercise is helping us understand what we can pivot toward and what should be established as fundamental product needs. Since we will bootstrap, we need to be clear on what we can build with our own resources.

I got window splitting working in Electron. This validates that the core system can handle real spatial complexity - the foundation I need before the next hard part.

That next part is the trickiest one: getting elements to share space intelligently when there isn't enough to go around. It's what'll make the whole thing feel alive rather than rigid, and it's the piece I'm most excited (and nervous) to get right.

The breakthrough this week came from prototyping in Figma first, using their autolayout to test how properties interact. The video shows the split in action. One system, endless arrangements - and the hard part still ahead.

Reorganized the codebase into a cleaner, more scalable structure, and moved the component workshop in-context so iterating on UI is faster.

Fixed theming to use global state instead of UI context tied to layouting. Updated all build configs, tests, workflows and infrastructure to align with new architecture. Things feel cleaner.

Defined a clear structure for what a component is - sizing, position, behaviour, visuals. Split Settings into individual components to establish the philosophy. The nested-space approach is working well.

Launched the Electron desktop version - now supporting both web and desktop clients. Improved the layout handling for finer control over alignment and dynamic sizing.

Built the mechanism that lets layouts break down into finer, nested pieces - the foundation for more complex arrangements.

Cleaned up some gnarly recursive issues - the output is clean and manageable now. Added GitHub CLI for pull requests and kept refining how the spatial side works.

This week we had our first TV shared coding session - we're truly working as two developers now. Reworked the layout to a more spatial, grid-like approach and split Settings into 3 components.

This revealed we need a way to group components together - one more piece to figure out. Reached a new collaboration level with a proper code review workflow.

Implemented the first spacing fixes and defined how the layout works at a structural level - a clear split between what decides position and what decides size.

Restructured Storybook into a catalogue, not a library. Ready for next sprint focused on component development and settings integration.

Got the spatial system working with both filled and empty areas. Added design tokens to Storybook and set up rules for better AI collaboration. Built a script that gates parts of the app based on user roles.

Cracked the layout system - modes are working and I can switch between them smoothly. Narrowed down 38 potential features to 5-6 core differentiators for the alpha. Built the first pass of the block editor and writer mode.

Finally working together on the same codebase. Set up Storybook as our project overview and added our first production atom - background.

Backoffice, backend and rest is waiting to be connected with the new UI. Finally have a systematic way to build instead of just exploring. Started building version 2 of the website.

Big milestone this week - we merged magicbinder into the main Diskura project, so we finally have one shared codebase to work on together.

Started designing the 'builder helper' panel, but the real challenge is figuring out how users jump from planning to actually building and back to planning again.

Cracked a major problem: AI gets lost when you give it too much freedom. Built 7-8 guardrails to keep AI focused and prevent it from overcomplicating things when I build Diskura.

This is the difference between AI that helps and AI that creates chaos.

Settled on my system hierarchy: Workspace → Subspace → Project → Builder. Like organizing a craftsman's shop - everything has its place and purpose.

The real challenge: how do you let AI help build while keeping the integrity of the craft intact?

BIG WIN! 🎉 I built my first AI page builder prototype that generates Next.js pages from company descriptions, an early step toward automated design-to-code workflows.

I've also improved my design tool's container performance and added sidebar collapse functionality. The UI is aligning with IDE patterns while I explore interactive canvas concepts.

Automated my deployment pipeline so I can ship updates instantly via github actions. No more manual deployments slowing me down.

Launched my public website to start sharing what I'm building. Hello world!

I'm taking time to define what a 'project' means in my tool. To me, it's more than a folder of files; it's a dedicated space where fragmented ideas can be thoughtfully joined into a coherent whole.

I've decided to design my user interface directly with code, using AI as an assistant and skip Figma as the main tool. This lets me work with reality sooner, helping me build with a more hands-on, intuitive feel and see what works and doesn't.

The first version of my internal Starter Kit is complete. I see this as building the foundation of my workshop - a solid, reliable base that gives me the stability to build my tools upon.

My initial roadmap is sketched out. The goal is to address the fragmented nature of modern toolchains by creating a single, shared space where the different stages of creation can come together cohesively.

Craft is often a collaborative effort. We've added user invitations and permissions to the starter kit, making it possible for teams to work together in a shared, organized space.

Switched to a better backoffice tool - Refine. Small changes like this add up - now I can focus on building instead of fighting my tools.

A satisfying moment of 'joinery' this week. The frontend and backend of my starter kit are now connected, turning two separate parts into a single, functioning piece for the first time.

I've refined the core concept for Diskura. The aim is to create an environment where anything that can be coded can be created, with the care and intention of a craftsperson, making it a true partner in creation.

Cut my build time in half with some smart optimizations. Bootstrapping solo, every minute saved is a minute I can spend building features that matter.

While working on the starter kit, I registered diskura.com and started a parallel prototype. This is my space for exploring new UI concepts and asking what a more thoughtful interface for builders might look like.

Decided on RDS Aurora Serverless v2 for my database. Its ability to scale to zero is perfect for low-cost experimentation - a principle that feels important for any creative tool.

Picked a simple state management solution, Zustand and Tanstack Query. I'll see how it holds up over time.

Set up a monorepo structure that actually makes sense. No more hunting through scattered folders, everything has a place.

Shipped my first working UI components. They're not pretty, but they work - and that's what matters right now.

Project kickoff. Building feels fragmented - too many tools, too many handoffs, too much context switching. I want to change this with Diskura.

Before I dive into core features I'm starting with magicbinder, a starter kit that I can reuse for building anything.