Building for an audience of one: starting and finishing side projects with AI
codemade.net
February 17, 2026
8 min read
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51/100
Summary
FastTab is a custom task switcher developed in Zig that utilizes OpenGL for rendering and operates as a daemon for instant keyboard shortcut response. It addresses the slow performance of the Plasma desktop environment's built-in task switcher, which can take up to a second to open.
Key Takeaways
- FastTab is a custom task switcher built in Zig that improves the performance of the task switcher in the Plasma desktop environment on X11.
- The development of FastTab was facilitated by AI, allowing the creator to prototype and iterate on the application despite having no prior experience with Zig or X11 internals.
- The process of building FastTab began with a conversation with an AI, which helped outline a detailed specification and plan for the application.
- Using version control with git was essential during development, allowing for incremental builds and easy reversion in case of errors introduced by the AI.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- AI significantly accelerates the completion of side projects, allowing hobbyists to realize ideas that might have otherwise been abandoned.
- The availability of heavily subsidized or free AI models is making it feasible for individuals to tackle long-standing projects without incurring high costs.
- AI's capability to produce decent code based on clear specifications empowers users to finally bring their ideas to life, even if they lack programming expertise.
Concerns
- Non-programmers face challenges with AI coding due to the need for specific knowledge about programming languages and design principles, limiting accessibility.
- There are concerns about the sustainability of a marketplace for small side projects, as it may become overwhelmed with low-quality submissions.
