Building a Browser Extension | Build in public E154

All right, this is my daily update for All right, this is my daily update for All right, this is my daily update for my build and public log. Uh, pretty my build and public log. Uh, pretty my build and public log. Uh, pretty excited. I have a demo today to show off excited. I have a demo today to show off excited. I have a demo today to show off the browser extension that I’m building the browser extension that I’m building the browser extension that I’m building uh, and where I’m at. I made pretty good uh, and where I’m at. I made pretty good uh, and where I’m at. I made pretty good progress uh, the last day or two and progress uh, the last day or two and progress uh, the last day or two and pretty much the core part of the product pretty much the core part of the product pretty much the core part of the product for just schedule me. This is a micro for just schedule me. This is a micro for just schedule me. This is a micro SAS that I just launched. Um, it quickly SAS that I just launched. Um, it quickly SAS that I just launched. Um, it quickly adds events to your calendar via text or adds events to your calendar via text or adds events to your calendar via text or an image. Um, I got an MVP out the door, an image. Um, I got an MVP out the door, an image. Um, I got an MVP out the door, but I’m building out the product and but I’m building out the product and but I’m building out the product and making it much better by having an making it much better by having an making it much better by having an extension. It just I want it to be very extension. It just I want it to be very extension. It just I want it to be very very slick and frictionless. But let me very slick and frictionless. But let me very slick and frictionless. But let me just show you. Okay, so I went to um I just show you. Okay, so I went to um I just show you. Okay, so I went to um I went to Instagram and just found a went to Instagram and just found a went to Instagram and just found a random event. This is just a nice random event. This is just a nice random event. This is just a nice looking flyer. There’s no button. looking flyer. There’s no button. looking flyer. There’s no button. There’s no way to just like add it to There’s no way to just like add it to There’s no way to just like add it to your calendar. You have an image and you your calendar. You have an image and you your calendar. You have an image and you have some text. And Instagram especially have some text. And Instagram especially have some text. And Instagram especially is really bad about like not having is really bad about like not having is really bad about like not having links which is pretty frustrating. So links which is pretty frustrating. So links which is pretty frustrating. So what you do is you right click and what you do is you right click and what you do is you right click and there’s this context menu and you click okay. Okay. Okay, so you you you saw the okay. Okay. Okay, so you you you saw the okay. Okay. Okay, so you you you saw the loader thing takes takes a little bit of loader thing takes takes a little bit of loader thing takes takes a little bit of time for the you know to send it up to time for the you know to send it up to time for the you know to send it up to the server to the LLM, you know, have the server to the LLM, you know, have the server to the LLM, you know, have the LLM read the text, figure it out, the LLM read the text, figure it out, the LLM read the text, figure it out, and then return it back. But here it is. and then return it back. But here it is. and then return it back. But here it is. Here’s your event. Uh you just click Here’s your event. Uh you just click Here’s your event. Uh you just click like this and you add it to your like this and you add it to your like this and you add it to your calendar. Okay, you obviously need to calendar. Okay, you obviously need to calendar. Okay, you obviously need to look at it and go like, okay, yeah, look at it and go like, okay, yeah, look at it and go like, okay, yeah, looks good. Click save and add it to looks good. Click save and add it to looks good. Click save and add it to your calendar. some some caveats here. your calendar. some some caveats here. your calendar. some some caveats here. Number one, this is a work in progress. Number one, this is a work in progress. Number one, this is a work in progress. Um you are signed in. So I I actually Um you are signed in. So I I actually Um you are signed in. So I I actually added off. So I am using clerk for the added off. So I am using clerk for the added off. So I am using clerk for the off. Um clerk is a basically a product off. Um clerk is a basically a product off. Um clerk is a basically a product for off. You can drop it into your for off. You can drop it into your for off. You can drop it into your project product whatever. And they have project product whatever. And they have project product whatever. And they have a browser extension plugin that works a browser extension plugin that works a browser extension plugin that works really well. So I when I’ve installed really well. So I when I’ve installed really well. So I when I’ve installed the extension and here you can see it the extension and here you can see it the extension and here you can see it running up here I had to sign in. So running up here I had to sign in. So running up here I had to sign in. So this for now like just just this working this for now like just just this working this for now like just just this working version I’m actually signed in. So I version I’m actually signed in. So I version I’m actually signed in. So I need to figure out that part. There’s need to figure out that part. There’s need to figure out that part. There’s still a lot more work to be done because still a lot more work to be done because still a lot more work to be done because I want people to try it for free but I want people to try it for free but I want people to try it for free but like I don’t want to give too much away. like I don’t want to give too much away. like I don’t want to give too much away. So I need to figure out like the So I need to figure out like the So I need to figure out like the onboarding off part and how much to give onboarding off part and how much to give onboarding off part and how much to give away. But for this example, uh I am away. But for this example, uh I am away. But for this example, uh I am signed in like I’m I’m actually like you signed in like I’m I’m actually like you signed in like I’m I’m actually like you could click right here and go to the could click right here and go to the could click right here and go to the dashboard. When you when you do this, dashboard. When you when you do this, dashboard. When you when you do this, when you copy and paste the text in the when you copy and paste the text in the when you copy and paste the text in the app app app and you you know you you do the same and you you know you you do the same and you you know you you do the same thing just manually, you can go edit the thing just manually, you can go edit the thing just manually, you can go edit the event. So like right in there, you don’t event. So like right in there, you don’t event. So like right in there, you don’t need to um edit it in your calendar. You need to um edit it in your calendar. You need to um edit it in your calendar. You there’s like all the functionality to there’s like all the functionality to there’s like all the functionality to like change dates, times, locations, and like change dates, times, locations, and like change dates, times, locations, and whatnot. the note. You can do all of whatnot. the note. You can do all of whatnot. the note. You can do all of that from the app and before you get to that from the app and before you get to that from the app and before you get to your calendar, but for now for the your calendar, but for now for the your calendar, but for now for the extension because I need to just move extension because I need to just move extension because I need to just move fast and get a, you know, MVP out the fast and get a, you know, MVP out the fast and get a, you know, MVP out the door. This is read only in the door. This is read only in the door. This is read only in the extension. So, yes, it creates an event extension. So, yes, it creates an event extension. So, yes, it creates an event and hopefully the AI nails it, but and hopefully the AI nails it, but and hopefully the AI nails it, but you’re not going to be able to do any you’re not going to be able to do any you’re not going to be able to do any editing in here. if you need to go do editing in here. if you need to go do editing in here. if you need to go do all sorts of editing to that event, all sorts of editing to that event, all sorts of editing to that event, you’ll have to do it in your calendar or you’ll have to do it in your calendar or you’ll have to do it in your calendar or actually go to the app and do it there. actually go to the app and do it there. actually go to the app and do it there. Uh, bit of a compromise, but again, I’m Uh, bit of a compromise, but again, I’m Uh, bit of a compromise, but again, I’m not going to spend too much time and not going to spend too much time and not going to spend too much time and effort on the extension unless I have effort on the extension unless I have effort on the extension unless I have paid customers and they want and need paid customers and they want and need paid customers and they want and need that. Obviously, uh, I don’t want to that. Obviously, uh, I don’t want to that. Obviously, uh, I don’t want to build for like months and I’m the only build for like months and I’m the only build for like months and I’m the only user. So, here’s another example of how user. So, here’s another example of how user. So, here’s another example of how you’re going to do this. uh you’re going to do this. uh you’re going to do this. uh you’re going to rightclick on an image. you’re going to rightclick on an image. you’re going to rightclick on an image. So let’s say there is a flyer like the So let’s say there is a flyer like the So let’s say there is a flyer like the event flyer or there’s just a PDF or an event flyer or there’s just a PDF or an event flyer or there’s just a PDF or an image. So you find an image and you image. So you find an image and you image. So you find an image and you right click you wait it takes a little right click you wait it takes a little right click you wait it takes a little while. Uh oh it is I just realized this while. Uh oh it is I just realized this while. Uh oh it is I just realized this is a live demo but I also realized it’s is a live demo but I also realized it’s is a live demo but I also realized it’s using my local instance. It’s actually using my local instance. It’s actually using my local instance. It’s actually not pointed to the server and it’s a bit not pointed to the server and it’s a bit not pointed to the server and it’s a bit slower on my on my machine. Okay. So, slower on my on my machine. Okay. So, slower on my on my machine. Okay. So, here is this event. This is a fake here is this event. This is a fake here is this event. This is a fake flyer. This is like uh like a demo kind flyer. This is like uh like a demo kind flyer. This is like uh like a demo kind of thing. Like it did its best, of thing. Like it did its best, of thing. Like it did its best, you know, to fill in the blanks for a you know, to fill in the blanks for a you know, to fill in the blanks for a fake one, but it’s like, you know, here fake one, but it’s like, you know, here fake one, but it’s like, you know, here you go. The the venue the the venue you go. The the venue the the venue you go. The the venue the the venue stadium, you know, it’s like fake. It’s stadium, you know, it’s like fake. It’s stadium, you know, it’s like fake. It’s not real. Um, and one important thing is not real. Um, and one important thing is not real. Um, and one important thing is I haven’t tried to do sensible defaults. I haven’t tried to do sensible defaults. I haven’t tried to do sensible defaults. There are subtle differences. There are subtle differences. There are subtle differences. Let me show you when you actually go to Let me show you when you actually go to Let me show you when you actually go to your calendar. I it it the idea is this your calendar. I it it the idea is this your calendar. I it it the idea is this is an event in the calendar and it the is an event in the calendar and it the is an event in the calendar and it the LLM has no context. It’s like there’s no LLM has no context. It’s like there’s no LLM has no context. It’s like there’s no date and time so I’m going to make it date and time so I’m going to make it date and time so I’m going to make it all day. But there we are weird all day. But there we are weird all day. But there we are weird differences in the calendar like an all differences in the calendar like an all differences in the calendar like an all day event like look it it’s free busy. day event like look it it’s free busy. day event like look it it’s free busy. An all day event is like pinned to the An all day event is like pinned to the An all day event is like pinned to the top in most calendars and those are top in most calendars and those are top in most calendars and those are things like vacation, things like vacation, things like vacation, Sarah’s birthday, uh taxes are due or Sarah’s birthday, uh taxes are due or Sarah’s birthday, uh taxes are due or something like that. It’s not like an something like that. It’s not like an something like that. It’s not like an actual event taking up the the space on actual event taking up the the space on actual event taking up the the space on your calendar. And so I haven’t tried to your calendar. And so I haven’t tried to your calendar. And so I haven’t tried to default and be as clever and smart as default and be as clever and smart as default and be as clever and smart as possible. It’s like don’t make it all possible. It’s like don’t make it all possible. It’s like don’t make it all day like aka click this button. make it day like aka click this button. make it day like aka click this button. make it be like on your calendar like that. And be like on your calendar like that. And be like on your calendar like that. And it’s tough because if it’s I don’t know it’s tough because if it’s I don’t know it’s tough because if it’s I don’t know the user is just going to have to kind the user is just going to have to kind the user is just going to have to kind of like look at and go like oh no of like look at and go like oh no of like look at and go like oh no actually make it an all day thing cuz actually make it an all day thing cuz actually make it an all day thing cuz I’m going to be there all day or yeah I’m going to be there all day or yeah I’m going to be there all day or yeah take up the whole space. But it’s a take up the whole space. But it’s a take up the whole space. But it’s a little tricky when there’s no context. little tricky when there’s no context. little tricky when there’s no context. Like I don’t want it to fail. I want it Like I don’t want it to fail. I want it Like I don’t want it to fail. I want it to to succeed for the user but like it to to succeed for the user but like it to to succeed for the user but like it has to take some liberties. Sometimes has to take some liberties. Sometimes has to take some liberties. Sometimes there’s just missing context. So for there’s just missing context. So for there’s just missing context. So for this example, it’s like, okay, well, I this example, it’s like, okay, well, I this example, it’s like, okay, well, I don’t want to like make it all day. I don’t want to like make it all day. I don’t want to like make it all day. I want it to be in the calendar taking up want it to be in the calendar taking up want it to be in the calendar taking up space. So, let me just like, okay, space. So, let me just like, okay, space. So, let me just like, okay, midnight to midnight. I don’t know what. midnight to midnight. I don’t know what. midnight to midnight. I don’t know what. But, uh, yeah, it’s working. I’m super But, uh, yeah, it’s working. I’m super But, uh, yeah, it’s working. I’m super super super pumped. Like I said, there’s super super pumped. Like I said, there’s super super pumped. Like I said, there’s a lot more to do. This is a work in a lot more to do. This is a work in a lot more to do. This is a work in progress. There’s like jankiness with progress. There’s like jankiness with progress. There’s like jankiness with like waiting for the event that’s kind like waiting for the event that’s kind like waiting for the event that’s kind of broken. There’s just a lot more work. of broken. There’s just a lot more work. of broken. There’s just a lot more work. This this is totally a work in progress. This this is totally a work in progress. This this is totally a work in progress. The onboarding the onboarding off staff, The onboarding the onboarding off staff, The onboarding the onboarding off staff, there’s so much so much more work to be there’s so much so much more work to be there’s so much so much more work to be done. That’s it. Let’s see if there’s done. That’s it. Let’s see if there’s done. That’s it. Let’s see if there’s any questions or comments. All right. No any questions or comments. All right. No any questions or comments. All right. No questions and comments today. Um on to questions and comments today. Um on to questions and comments today. Um on to my random story for today. So, I I I my random story for today. So, I I I my random story for today. So, I I I talk a lot about this. I’m running a talk a lot about this. I’m running a talk a lot about this. I’m running a newsletter newsletter newsletter and trying to build something I’m and trying to build something I’m and trying to build something I’m passionate about. And the newsletter, passionate about. And the newsletter, passionate about. And the newsletter, yeah, it’s probably going to be a yeah, it’s probably going to be a yeah, it’s probably going to be a marketing thing. And yes, I do need to marketing thing. And yes, I do need to marketing thing. And yes, I do need to make money. I need to keep the lights on make money. I need to keep the lights on make money. I need to keep the lights on and pay bills, but the the newsletter is and pay bills, but the the newsletter is and pay bills, but the the newsletter is like really really a passion because I like really really a passion because I like really really a passion because I want to try to share really cool I want to try to share really cool I want to try to share really cool I believe that I so I’m I’m a lot older believe that I so I’m I’m a lot older believe that I so I’m I’m a lot older than than I’m I’m an older guy now and than than I’m I’m an older guy now and than than I’m I’m an older guy now and I’ve used the internet since the ‘9s I’ve used the internet since the ‘9s I’ve used the internet since the ‘9s when I was a kid and I remember the old when I was a kid and I remember the old when I was a kid and I remember the old internet the old internet was so fun. It internet the old internet was so fun. It internet the old internet was so fun. It was the wild wild west. people created was the wild wild west. people created was the wild wild west. people created all this crazy and people would all this crazy and people would all this crazy and people would pour their hearts and souls into pour their hearts and souls into pour their hearts and souls into creating cool little things and I miss creating cool little things and I miss creating cool little things and I miss those old days where you you just saw those old days where you you just saw those old days where you you just saw fun little crazy things uh fun little crazy things uh fun little crazy things uh thoughtprovoking things not no social thoughtprovoking things not no social thoughtprovoking things not no social media no algorithms um I I believe the media no algorithms um I I believe the media no algorithms um I I believe the old internet is more than alive it’s old internet is more than alive it’s old internet is more than alive it’s just buried under a mountain of just buried under a mountain of just buried under a mountain of there’s just these algorithms and there’s just these algorithms and there’s just these algorithms and gatekeepers and you know you gatekeepers and you know you gatekeepers and you know you It’s just so hard to find these things. It’s just so hard to find these things. It’s just so hard to find these things. So, my whole philosophy is put something So, my whole philosophy is put something So, my whole philosophy is put something good out into the world. The world needs good out into the world. The world needs good out into the world. The world needs fun things that make you smile, that fun things that make you smile, that fun things that make you smile, that bring you joy, cool things, cool ideas bring you joy, cool things, cool ideas bring you joy, cool things, cool ideas that have never been, you know, maybe that have never been, you know, maybe that have never been, you know, maybe presented to you before. Needs more art, presented to you before. Needs more art, presented to you before. Needs more art, needs more happiness, needs more joy. I needs more happiness, needs more joy. I needs more happiness, needs more joy. I feel like these are kind of weird, dark feel like these are kind of weird, dark feel like these are kind of weird, dark times. And I’m I’m pouring my heart into times. And I’m I’m pouring my heart into times. And I’m I’m pouring my heart into this thing because part of it is I want this thing because part of it is I want this thing because part of it is I want to see this cool stuff and I want others to see this cool stuff and I want others to see this cool stuff and I want others to see it. I I want to do that. So, one to see it. I I want to do that. So, one to see it. I I want to do that. So, one thing I started to do is when I when I thing I started to do is when I when I thing I started to do is when I when I feature something in the newsletter, feature something in the newsletter, feature something in the newsletter, I try to track down sometimes that, you I try to track down sometimes that, you I try to track down sometimes that, you know, the person’s information is on know, the person’s information is on know, the person’s information is on there, but sometimes it’s like, who there, but sometimes it’s like, who there, but sometimes it’s like, who built this thing? This is like who who built this thing? This is like who who built this thing? This is like who who who even did this? I’m trying to find who even did this? I’m trying to find who even did this? I’m trying to find each creator of everything that I post each creator of everything that I post each creator of everything that I post and send them an email or drop them a and send them an email or drop them a and send them an email or drop them a line saying, “Hey, I saw your thing. line saying, “Hey, I saw your thing. line saying, “Hey, I saw your thing. Thank you. Thank you for building this. Thank you. Thank you for building this. Thank you. Thank you for building this. This is really cool.” That’s it. Just This is really cool.” That’s it. Just This is really cool.” That’s it. Just like pay it forward. Just try to put like pay it forward. Just try to put like pay it forward. Just try to put good things out there. And uh I I posted good things out there. And uh I I posted good things out there. And uh I I posted yesterday’s newsletter was a pretty cool yesterday’s newsletter was a pretty cool yesterday’s newsletter was a pretty cool thing. Super cool. You could tell this thing. Super cool. You could tell this thing. Super cool. You could tell this guy spent so much time and energy on guy spent so much time and energy on guy spent so much time and energy on this because it’s pretty complex. You this because it’s pretty complex. You this because it’s pretty complex. You could see some of the source code and I could see some of the source code and I could see some of the source code and I was like, “Fuck, this guy spent a lot of was like, “Fuck, this guy spent a lot of was like, “Fuck, this guy spent a lot of time and energy into this thing. This is time and energy into this thing. This is time and energy into this thing. This is pretty cool, too.” And so I just sent pretty cool, too.” And so I just sent pretty cool, too.” And so I just sent him a note. I didn’t put the newsletter. him a note. I didn’t put the newsletter. him a note. I didn’t put the newsletter. I didn’t like say was featured in the I didn’t like say was featured in the I didn’t like say was featured in the newsletter. No, no, nothing like that. I newsletter. No, no, nothing like that. I newsletter. No, no, nothing like that. I didn’t even mention that at all. Like I didn’t even mention that at all. Like I didn’t even mention that at all. Like I just sent it from my private email. And just sent it from my private email. And just sent it from my private email. And he the guy seems pretty blown away that he the guy seems pretty blown away that he the guy seems pretty blown away that I said said that. He said, “Thank you so I said said that. He said, “Thank you so I said said that. He said, “Thank you so much. That means a lot to me.” And I much. That means a lot to me.” And I much. That means a lot to me.” And I understand because I’m building things understand because I’m building things understand because I’m building things and putting it out into the world. And and putting it out into the world. And and putting it out into the world. And it’s so it sucks to get no feedback. You it’s so it sucks to get no feedback. You it’s so it sucks to get no feedback. You have no idea have no idea have no idea like is this good? Is this Like like is this good? Is this Like like is this good? Is this Like what do people think? It’s just like you what do people think? It’s just like you what do people think? It’s just like you often will put put things out there and often will put put things out there and often will put put things out there and you you people will look at you see like you you people will look at you see like you you people will look at you see like the analytics you know someone’s looking the analytics you know someone’s looking the analytics you know someone’s looking but it’s just like crickets crickets but it’s just like crickets crickets but it’s just like crickets crickets like nothing you don’t you don’t know. like nothing you don’t you don’t know. like nothing you don’t you don’t know. So I just want to like pay it forward So I just want to like pay it forward So I just want to like pay it forward and and honestly I’m take they made the and and honestly I’m take they made the and and honestly I’m take they made the content and I’m putting it in the content and I’m putting it in the content and I’m putting it in the newsletter so I I can at least say thank newsletter so I I can at least say thank newsletter so I I can at least say thank you to these people. I’m putting in the you to these people. I’m putting in the you to these people. I’m putting in the newsletter. I obviously thought it’s newsletter. I obviously thought it’s newsletter. I obviously thought it’s cool. I really appreciate it. So, at the cool. I really appreciate it. So, at the cool. I really appreciate it. So, at the very least, I could tell them thank you. very least, I could tell them thank you. very least, I could tell them thank you. So, I don’t know. Just uh I’m going to So, I don’t know. Just uh I’m going to So, I don’t know. Just uh I’m going to I’m going to see how far I could get I’m going to see how far I could get I’m going to see how far I could get with that because it’s tough to always with that because it’s tough to always with that because it’s tough to always find the people, but I I just think it’s find the people, but I I just think it’s find the people, but I I just think it’s the least I could do. Um anyways, that’s the least I could do. Um anyways, that’s the least I could do. Um anyways, that’s all I got for today. See you tomorrow.