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Building Four Web Apps with Claude Code
I've been spending a lot of time lately building web apps with Claude Code, and I'm at the point where I have four projects on the go simultaneously. Two of them are nearly functional. One is beautiful but nowhere near done. And one is still basically a napkin sketch. Somehow, all four are teaching me something different.
The four are Timeliner, Commonplace, Waymark, and Badge Buster (that last one is still in the "great idea, zero code" phase). Each one started with a simple enough premise. Each one has made me want to throw my laptop into the Ping River at some point.
Timeliner and Commonplace: Functional First
With Timeliner and Commonplace, the goal was always utility. I didn't care if they looked gorgeous — I wanted them to work. Timeliner is a timeline visualization tool, Commonplace is for organizing quotes and passages. Both are React apps, both hit Supabase on the backend, and both have gone through more rewrites than I'd like to admit.
The challenge with this approach is that "just make it functional" sounds simple until you're staring at a broken graph view at 11pm wondering if the issue is the data, the component, or something you did six sessions ago that Claude doesn't remember. And that's the thing about Claude Code — it has no memory between sessions. Every time you open a new conversation, you're starting cold. Early on I'd jump in and say something like "fix the dark mode issue in Timeliner" and get back a perfectly confident response that was fixing the wrong file entirely.
What actually helped was building a CLAUDE.md file for each project — basically a brief for the AI that explains what the app does, how it's structured, what patterns to follow, and what not to do. Once I had that, the sessions got dramatically better. It's less about giving Claude more instructions and more about giving it the right context upfront.
Prompting also got sharper over time. Vague prompts get vague results. "The UI feels off" is useless. "The sidebar padding is inconsistent across breakpoints and the active state on nav items isn't visible in dark mode" is something Claude can actually work with. The more specific the bug report, the cleaner the fix — and the less time you spend reading through a response that technically answers your question but doesn't solve your problem.
Waymark: The Opposite Problem
Waymark is where I flipped the brief entirely. I wanted something visually striking — not just functional, but genuinely beautiful. A travel/location marking app with a design-forward UI that actually feels good to use.
That created a completely different set of headaches. When you're chasing aesthetics, you're dealing with CSS specificity wars, animation timing, layout quirks across screen sizes, and the constant tension between "this looks cool" and "this is a nightmare to maintain." Claude Code is actually pretty good at generating visually interesting interfaces, but keeping a consistent design language across multiple components over multiple sessions? That takes real discipline on your end.
I found myself spending as much time writing prompts that preserved what was already good as I did asking for new things. "Rebuild the card component but keep the hover animation and color system we established" is a sentence I've typed a dozen times. Without a design spec or explicit notes, Claude will happily recreate something in a totally different style and then you're backtracking for an hour.
Badge Buster: The Concept Stage
Badge Buster is the one that exists purely in my head, and honestly it might stay there — not because it's a bad idea, but because it's technically impossible.
The concept is simple: one button that clears every notification badge on your phone. All those little red dots on your apps, gone. I find them genuinely stressful and the only way to get rid of them is to open every single app one by one. Badge Buster would just... handle it.
Except it can't, because iOS and Android don't let one app reach into another app's notifications. Each app controls its own badge. So the whole premise falls apart at the OS level, which is a pretty fundamental problem for an app to have.
It's still on the list though, mostly because I think there's something there — even if the actual version looks totally different from the original idea. Maybe it's a focus mode thing, maybe it's something else. Sometimes a concept that doesn't work is still worth holding onto until you figure out what it's actually trying to solve.
The Stuff Nobody Tells You
Git was one of those things I kept putting off and then regretted every time something broke. Claude Code will make changes confidently, and sometimes those changes will break something else, and if you haven't committed recently you're doing archaeology trying to figure out what changed. I'm not doing anything fancy with GitHub — just committing regularly and writing halfway-decent commit messages so I can actually read the history.
The other thing is debugging with Claude. The instinct is to paste an error message and ask "what's wrong." That works sometimes. But describing what you expected to happen alongside what actually happened and what you already tried tends to get you to the answer faster. Treat it less like a search engine and more like a rubber duck that can also write code.
I'm nowhere near done with any of these four apps. Timeliner's UI still needs a proper library to replace the patchwork of manual styles I've accumulated. Commonplace has a few sync bugs I've been circling for weeks. Waymark needs a backend. And Badge Buster needs, well, everything.
But each one is teaching me to build better — clearer specs, tighter prompts, and the discipline to commit before you experiment. That's the thing about building with AI tools. The tool is only as good as how well you can describe what you need. Which, it turns out, is mostly just a writing problem.
No More Recs
At the start of this year I told myself I'd post one recommendation every week. A product, a tool, a service — something useful, something worth sharing. Seemed like a solid plan.
It wasn't.
By February it already felt like a chore. My site started looking like a brand mood board I didn't curate, and every time I sat down to write one I had this low-grade dread, like I was filing a report nobody asked for. The posts weren't bad, but they weren't me. They were me going through the motions because I'd committed to a cadence.
So I'm done with it. No more weekly recommendations. Here's the thing: if I'm not excited to write something, you're probably not excited to read it. And "one rec a week" had turned into exactly that, an obligation I was dragging myself to fulfill instead of something I actually wanted to do.
What I do want to write about is what I've been building lately. I've got a few projects going, and honestly the process of making them has been way more interesting than any product I could point you toward. That means the actual building, what's working, what's broken, what it's like to vibe-code your way through a problem at 11pm and wake up the next morning genuinely surprised it held together.
No brand deals. No promotional angles. Just what it's actually like to make stuff.
That's what's coming next.
Clothes Have Been Donated!
Collected 250kg of clothes last month! After sorting, several boxes went to migrant communities in #ChiangMai through the Shan Youth Power program, helping both kids and adults. Huge thanks to everyone who donated! ❤️ If you're in CM and have more clothes to give, DM me! 🙏♻️
More from Hua Hin
Hua Hin isn’t just another beach town in Thailand—it’s got history, charm, and a vibe that balances laid-back beach life with a touch of sophistication. Whether you're thinking about a weekend escape from Bangkok or just curious about this coastal gem, here are some fun facts about Hua Hin that might surprise you.
1. Thailand’s OG Beach Resort
Before places like Phuket and Samui became international hotspots, Hua Hin was the beach destination in Thailand. Back in the 1920s, King Rama VII built his summer palace here, and ever since, it’s been a go-to retreat for Thai royalty and Bangkok’s elite. That’s why you’ll still find a more refined, old-school vibe compared to the party-heavy islands.
2. Home to the Longest Golf Course in Thailand
If you're into golf, Hua Hin is a paradise. The Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, built in 1924, is Thailand’s oldest 18-hole course and still one of the most scenic. Bonus points: it's right next to the train station, which itself is one of the most picturesque in the country.
3. It’s Got a Vineyard—Yes, Really
Thailand and wine? Sounds like a weird combo, but Monsoon Valley Vineyard in Hua Hin is proving that tropical winemaking is a thing. Set in rolling hills just outside the city, it’s a spot where you can sip Thai wine while surrounded by vineyards—something you don’t see every day in this part of the world.
4. The Night Markets Are Next-Level
While Thailand is known for its night markets, Hua Hin’s are especially fun. The Cicada Market brings in artsy, handmade crafts and live music, while the Tamarind Market is all about incredible food. If you want seafood fresh off the boat, the night market in the center of town is where you’ll find grilled prawns, fresh squid, and just about every Thai dish imaginable.
5. You Can Ride Horses on the Beach
Move over, jet skis—Hua Hin’s beaches are famous for horseback riding. Thanks to its royal history, the tradition of horses here is strong, and you’ll find locals offering rides along the sand, making for a totally different kind of beach experience.
6. It’s One of the Driest Spots in Thailand
While much of Thailand deals with heavy monsoons, Hua Hin gets less rain than most coastal areas, making it one of the best year-round beach destinations. Even in the rainy season, showers tend to be short-lived, which means more sunshine and fewer interruptions to your plans.
7. There’s a Train That Goes Straight to Bangkok
If you hate dealing with airport transfers, Hua Hin’s got you covered. Thailand’s Southern Railway Line runs right through town, and you can take a scenic 4-hour train ride straight to Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station. Bonus: the Hua Hin train station itself is a historic landmark, with its classic red-and-white architecture making it one of the prettiest in Thailand.
Hua Hin is that perfect mix of relaxing and lively, with just enough history and uniqueness to set it apart from other beach destinations in Thailand. Whether you’re there for a short getaway or looking to slow things down for a bit longer, there’s plenty to love about this royal retreat by the sea.
Hua Hin: The Retirement Capital I Had to See for Myself
I knew what I was getting into. Hua Hin has a reputation, and it’s well-earned—this place is retirement central. The sidewalks are filled with slow walkers, the beach chairs are occupied by people who have been here since the '90s, and every second restaurant serves up some version of schnitzel with mashed potatoes. If you’re looking for nightlife, excitement, or—let’s be real—anyone under 50, this isn’t the spot.
But hey, I wanted to check it out. First and last time for sure.
To be fair, the beaches are decent, and there’s a certain charm to the old-world, laid-back vibe. The seafood is fresh, and the night markets aren’t bad if you’re into browsing knockoff watches and elephant pants. If I were 70, I’d probably love it. But I’m not. And after a few days of watching the early bird dinner crowd shuffle through European bistros, I was ready to move on.
Hua Hin? Been there, done that. No need to return.
I Got Instagram
Alright, I caved—I got Instagram. Posting on the blog was becoming a hassle, and since I’m not traveling as much these days, I figured I’d join the masses. It’s mostly me and Cooper, so if you’re into cute French bulldogs, give me a follow and say hey: https://www.instagram.com/degen.11/
I’ll still keep this site going, but it’ll be more text-focused—think writing, my portfolio, and an archive of travel shots.
250kg of Clothes, One Big Thank You
Sometimes, the simplest things make the biggest impact. Over the past few weeks, we pulled together 250kg of clothes for Child’s Dream Foundation, and now they’re on their way to families who actually need them.
This wasn’t just a dump-run of old stuff—these are clothes that’ll keep people warm, that’ll be worn daily, that actually matter. And it only happened because a whole lot of people showed up, donated, and made it happen.
So, huge thanks to everyone who pitched in. Whether you dropped off a bag, spread the word, or just helped move all that weight—this was a team effort. Feels good to do something real.
The Collar
Cooper's dealing with an eye infection, so he's rocking a collar—which, unsurprisingly, he’s not thrilled about. The eye drops every two hours are getting easier with practice, but I totally get it—eye drops are the worst. Fingers crossed he’s all good in two weeks!
2025 Goals, Resolutions, Whatever
Every year, I scribble down a mix of goals, dreams, and random "let's see if I actually do this" ideas. Call them resolutions, plans, or just things I hope don’t stay in my head too long—they’re my way of keeping life interesting. This year’s list is all over the place, from fixing my balcony to exploring new corners of the world. Some goals are about leveling up, some are about tidying up, and a few are just about enjoying the ride. Here’s what I’m aiming for in the year ahead.
Visit a new country: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, or Timor-Leste
Spend a week at a resort in Thailand (Phuket or Hua Hin)
Read 12 books throughout the year
Get a new built-in walk-in closet
Stretch every night (continuation from 2024)
Donate 50 kg of clothes to charity
Fix the water problem on my balcony (Condo above me is leaking and soaking my drywall ceiling, just haven’t gotten around to addressing it)
Have all the drains in my condo replaced
Save $50,000 by the end of the year
Double my Bitcoin holdings
New Series for 2025 — “In 100 Words”
I’m starting a new blog series next year called “In 100 Words.” The idea is simple—cover anything and everything, but keep it tight. Each post will be exactly 100 words, whether it’s a random thought, some advice, or a quick story.
It’ll be short, easy to read, and (hopefully) worth your time. The first post drops in January, and I’m pretty excited to see where this goes.
