Tools
These tools are primarily used to help develop the current site. They are good examples of what’s possible with AI. Previously, as a developer, it was essential to ask yourself something like: Would automating this task take me less than 10% of the total planned time and help me cut that time by a third? (you probably have your own version).
Now with generative AI, the answer is much more often yes. For any task I anticipate being somewhat repetitive, I now start by trying to create a tool for it. If after 30 minutes it doesn’t work out, I move on to the task. But it works out very often.
Here are several tools that are currently useful for developing the current site.
Online Markdown editor for creating and previewing content supporting a frontmatter section for Jekyll site
Tool to extract book info and images from hardcover.app site (excellent alternative to GoodReads...)
My (quick and dirty) version of Trello with local backup save.
Simple browser-based fitness coach for office workers. Get exercise reminders, track your progress, and stay active during your workday.
Simple tracker for pushups, situps, and planks with intelligent progression and audio feedback.
Interactive Japanese learning app for kana and kanji with spaced repetition and multiple study modes.
Using AI?
To generate this kind of tool, I built myself a “template” that I fill out and enter into my current favorite generative AI (Hot battle between Claude and Gemini…)
Tool Name: [What should the tool be called?]
Tool Description: [Brief description of what the tool does]
Input Section:
Input Type: [textarea/file-upload/text-input/dropdown/multiple-inputs]
Input Label: [Label for the input field]
Input Placeholder: [Placeholder text for input]
Additional Inputs: [Any extra inputs needed - specify type and label]
Processing Function:
What it does: [Describe the conversion/processing logic needed]
Output format: [How should the result be displayed - text/code/formatted/downloadable]
UI Preferences:
Theme: [dark/light/auto]
Primary Color: [color preference or default]
Layout: [single-column/two-column/tabbed]
Additional Features:
Copy to clipboard: [yes/no]
Download result: [yes/no - specify file extension]
Clear/Reset button: [yes/no]
Example/Sample data: [provide sample input if helpful]
Error handling: [specify any validation rules]