Small tools beat big apps
won · Regional essay contest, 1st place
Placeholder post: this is sample text, not a real essay. Replace this file
(src/content/blog/essay-placeholder.md) with a real post, or delete it.
The app I never finished
For a long time I had one big project in my head: a single app that would track my schedule, my habits, my grades and my sleep. I started it four times. I never got past the settings page.
What I did finish, over and over, were small things. A script that pulls the morning announcements. A bot that pings me before a deadline. Each one took a weekend, and each one I still use.
Why small wins
A small tool has one job, so it is obvious when it works. There is no roadmap to fall behind on. When it breaks, there are only a few places the bug can hide.
Finishing a small thing teaches you more than starting a big one.
The big app is still a good idea. But now I build it the same way: one small piece at a time, each one useful on its own.