Jan Builds Digital
@janbuildsdigital.bsky.social
Builder of digital products 🚀 | WordPress themes 🔱 | Finding how AI can help other people 🤖 | Technical founder 🛠️ #buildinpublic
Lately I’ve been thinking about this:
Being a founder can feel hypocritical in at least two ways:
• You hire people, but you don’t want to work for someone else yourself.
• You run paid ads and other marketing campaigns, even though you sometimes get annoyed by them yourself.
#buildinpublic
Being a founder can feel hypocritical in at least two ways:
• You hire people, but you don’t want to work for someone else yourself.
• You run paid ads and other marketing campaigns, even though you sometimes get annoyed by them yourself.
#buildinpublic
February 13, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Lately I’ve been thinking about this:
Being a founder can feel hypocritical in at least two ways:
• You hire people, but you don’t want to work for someone else yourself.
• You run paid ads and other marketing campaigns, even though you sometimes get annoyed by them yourself.
#buildinpublic
Being a founder can feel hypocritical in at least two ways:
• You hire people, but you don’t want to work for someone else yourself.
• You run paid ads and other marketing campaigns, even though you sometimes get annoyed by them yourself.
#buildinpublic
Reposted by Jan Builds Digital
The two things you know about Ford’s business strategy are both wrong:
𝟭. “𝗜𝗳 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲.”
First of all, he never said that.
(1/14)
𝟭. “𝗜𝗳 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲.”
First of all, he never said that.
(1/14)
February 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM
The two things you know about Ford’s business strategy are both wrong:
𝟭. “𝗜𝗳 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲.”
First of all, he never said that.
(1/14)
𝟭. “𝗜𝗳 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲.”
First of all, he never said that.
(1/14)
In the age of LLM-powered search engines, GitHub hosts not just code, but also documentation tailored specifically for language models.
February 11, 2026 at 12:15 PM
In the age of LLM-powered search engines, GitHub hosts not just code, but also documentation tailored specifically for language models.
Launching a new product means getting familiar with the market and competitors. The more I learn, the more existing solutions I discover, and it can feel emotionally crushing.
But putting emotions aside, does competition reduce your chances of launching a successful product? #buildinpublic
But putting emotions aside, does competition reduce your chances of launching a successful product? #buildinpublic
February 4, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Launching a new product means getting familiar with the market and competitors. The more I learn, the more existing solutions I discover, and it can feel emotionally crushing.
But putting emotions aside, does competition reduce your chances of launching a successful product? #buildinpublic
But putting emotions aside, does competition reduce your chances of launching a successful product? #buildinpublic
The first cookie banner I’ve come across that’s actually funny. 😀👍
January 30, 2026 at 9:30 AM
The first cookie banner I’ve come across that’s actually funny. 😀👍
Reposted by Jan Builds Digital
It’s still just as hard to make a startup, despite vibe-coding and AI coding generally.
AI changes 𝘩𝘰𝘸 you write code, but hasn't changed anything else; you still need (a) to find people (b) who actually want to pay for this.
If this is shocking news, YNGMI.
AI changes 𝘩𝘰𝘸 you write code, but hasn't changed anything else; you still need (a) to find people (b) who actually want to pay for this.
If this is shocking news, YNGMI.
January 26, 2026 at 10:26 PM
It’s still just as hard to make a startup, despite vibe-coding and AI coding generally.
AI changes 𝘩𝘰𝘸 you write code, but hasn't changed anything else; you still need (a) to find people (b) who actually want to pay for this.
If this is shocking news, YNGMI.
AI changes 𝘩𝘰𝘸 you write code, but hasn't changed anything else; you still need (a) to find people (b) who actually want to pay for this.
If this is shocking news, YNGMI.
Using fake likenesses of popular figures and celebrities in visual ads has surged in 2025 as generative AI has improved. This is making online ads less trustworthy and ultimately damaging conversion rates. I imagine this is a real pain point for platforms right now.
January 28, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Using fake likenesses of popular figures and celebrities in visual ads has surged in 2025 as generative AI has improved. This is making online ads less trustworthy and ultimately damaging conversion rates. I imagine this is a real pain point for platforms right now.
I’m launching a new product and figuring out how to differentiate against VC-backed competitors. Here’s what I’ve come up with:
#buildinpublic
#buildinpublic
January 23, 2026 at 3:50 PM
I’m launching a new product and figuring out how to differentiate against VC-backed competitors. Here’s what I’ve come up with:
#buildinpublic
#buildinpublic
I’ve made this mistake with freelancers many times. #buildinpublic
When you're thinking about hiring a freelancer, it's crucial to have a task that is well-defined, makes sense, and aims for a specific result. Otherwise, you’ll likely end up confused or disappointed with what they deliver.
When you're thinking about hiring a freelancer, it's crucial to have a task that is well-defined, makes sense, and aims for a specific result. Otherwise, you’ll likely end up confused or disappointed with what they deliver.
January 16, 2026 at 12:45 PM
I’ve made this mistake with freelancers many times. #buildinpublic
When you're thinking about hiring a freelancer, it's crucial to have a task that is well-defined, makes sense, and aims for a specific result. Otherwise, you’ll likely end up confused or disappointed with what they deliver.
When you're thinking about hiring a freelancer, it's crucial to have a task that is well-defined, makes sense, and aims for a specific result. Otherwise, you’ll likely end up confused or disappointed with what they deliver.
What was the biggest productivity win here last quarter? Not AI tools, just spinning up a fast virtual machine.
I often needed to export data into Windows-native apps. VirtualBox was my go-to solution, and then I discovered Dockurr.
#buildinpublic
I often needed to export data into Windows-native apps. VirtualBox was my go-to solution, and then I discovered Dockurr.
#buildinpublic
January 8, 2026 at 8:24 AM
What was the biggest productivity win here last quarter? Not AI tools, just spinning up a fast virtual machine.
I often needed to export data into Windows-native apps. VirtualBox was my go-to solution, and then I discovered Dockurr.
#buildinpublic
I often needed to export data into Windows-native apps. VirtualBox was my go-to solution, and then I discovered Dockurr.
#buildinpublic
What happens when you ask an LLM to do a simple arithmetic calculation like, “What is 99882.48 / 4104.95 rounded to five decimals”?
#buildinpublic
#buildinpublic
December 17, 2025 at 12:29 PM
What happens when you ask an LLM to do a simple arithmetic calculation like, “What is 99882.48 / 4104.95 rounded to five decimals”?
#buildinpublic
#buildinpublic
Many developers switch between multiple machines while working on the same codebase.
But CursorAI doesn’t automatically sync chat history to the cloud, and uploading an entire codebase to the OpenAI web interface isn’t practical.
But CursorAI doesn’t automatically sync chat history to the cloud, and uploading an entire codebase to the OpenAI web interface isn’t practical.
December 10, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Many developers switch between multiple machines while working on the same codebase.
But CursorAI doesn’t automatically sync chat history to the cloud, and uploading an entire codebase to the OpenAI web interface isn’t practical.
But CursorAI doesn’t automatically sync chat history to the cloud, and uploading an entire codebase to the OpenAI web interface isn’t practical.
A good way to debug an LLM's reasoning is to pull the misunderstood logic out into its own prompt so you can see what’s happening under the hood:
"""
{{your misunderstood logic}}
Provide your answer and explain, step-by-step, how you evaluated the logic and arrived at this solution.
"""
"""
{{your misunderstood logic}}
Provide your answer and explain, step-by-step, how you evaluated the logic and arrived at this solution.
"""
Few things are more annoying in prompt engineering than digging through a 200-line prompt with a clear logic and trying to figure out why the LLM keeps giving wrong answers.
November 28, 2025 at 6:04 PM
A good way to debug an LLM's reasoning is to pull the misunderstood logic out into its own prompt so you can see what’s happening under the hood:
"""
{{your misunderstood logic}}
Provide your answer and explain, step-by-step, how you evaluated the logic and arrived at this solution.
"""
"""
{{your misunderstood logic}}
Provide your answer and explain, step-by-step, how you evaluated the logic and arrived at this solution.
"""
Few things are more annoying in prompt engineering than digging through a 200-line prompt with a clear logic and trying to figure out why the LLM keeps giving wrong answers.
November 28, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Few things are more annoying in prompt engineering than digging through a 200-line prompt with a clear logic and trying to figure out why the LLM keeps giving wrong answers.
It’s such a blessing to work with customers who:
• actively team up with support to find a solution
• keep support updated on what caused their issue
• offer suggestions to improve the docs
• stay polite throughout the whole process
This makes the hustle genuinely enjoyable.
#buildinpublic
• actively team up with support to find a solution
• keep support updated on what caused their issue
• offer suggestions to improve the docs
• stay polite throughout the whole process
This makes the hustle genuinely enjoyable.
#buildinpublic
November 24, 2025 at 12:07 PM
It’s such a blessing to work with customers who:
• actively team up with support to find a solution
• keep support updated on what caused their issue
• offer suggestions to improve the docs
• stay polite throughout the whole process
This makes the hustle genuinely enjoyable.
#buildinpublic
• actively team up with support to find a solution
• keep support updated on what caused their issue
• offer suggestions to improve the docs
• stay polite throughout the whole process
This makes the hustle genuinely enjoyable.
#buildinpublic
Reposted by Jan Builds Digital
We were contacted by a journalist at Le Parisien newspaper with this prompt:
> I am preparing an article on the use of your secure personal data phone solution by drug traffickers and other criminals. Have you ever been contacted by the police?
> I am preparing an article on the use of your secure personal data phone solution by drug traffickers and other criminals. Have you ever been contacted by the police?
November 19, 2025 at 10:31 AM
We were contacted by a journalist at Le Parisien newspaper with this prompt:
> I am preparing an article on the use of your secure personal data phone solution by drug traffickers and other criminals. Have you ever been contacted by the police?
> I am preparing an article on the use of your secure personal data phone solution by drug traffickers and other criminals. Have you ever been contacted by the police?
Paying customers discover a product doesn’t work the way they expected. So what do they do? Surprisingly, some of them actually want to work with you, the product owner, to help fix it - at least they’ll give it a shot before asking for a refund. Why is that?
#buildinpublic
#buildinpublic
November 19, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Paying customers discover a product doesn’t work the way they expected. So what do they do? Surprisingly, some of them actually want to work with you, the product owner, to help fix it - at least they’ll give it a shot before asking for a refund. Why is that?
#buildinpublic
#buildinpublic
Things I value in #buildinpublic social media:
1. Openness - sharing both the wins and the struggles along the way
2. Authenticity - being honest and writing for yourself; marketing can align with that, but too much of it kills the vibe
1. Openness - sharing both the wins and the struggles along the way
2. Authenticity - being honest and writing for yourself; marketing can align with that, but too much of it kills the vibe
October 30, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Things I value in #buildinpublic social media:
1. Openness - sharing both the wins and the struggles along the way
2. Authenticity - being honest and writing for yourself; marketing can align with that, but too much of it kills the vibe
1. Openness - sharing both the wins and the struggles along the way
2. Authenticity - being honest and writing for yourself; marketing can align with that, but too much of it kills the vibe
Sunday evening, and I just fixed a bug for my customer. Few things in business feel this satisfying 👌
#buildinpublic
#buildinpublic
October 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Sunday evening, and I just fixed a bug for my customer. Few things in business feel this satisfying 👌
#buildinpublic
#buildinpublic
Reposted by Jan Builds Digital
One of the biggests problems with AI agents is that errors accumulate quickly, and after many steps the chance of finding a successful solution decreases rapidly.
Check out 👉utkarshkanwat.com/writing/bet...
Check out 👉utkarshkanwat.com/writing/bet...
October 13, 2025 at 6:25 AM
One of the biggests problems with AI agents is that errors accumulate quickly, and after many steps the chance of finding a successful solution decreases rapidly.
Check out 👉utkarshkanwat.com/writing/bet...
Check out 👉utkarshkanwat.com/writing/bet...
I’m sharing the MVP link with users testing my product. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster — the more complete the “minimal” product gets, the more broken features I find, including core features. Looks like there’s still a learning curve with the tech. 👇
#buildinpublic
#buildinpublic
October 8, 2025 at 7:42 AM
I’m sharing the MVP link with users testing my product. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster — the more complete the “minimal” product gets, the more broken features I find, including core features. Looks like there’s still a learning curve with the tech. 👇
#buildinpublic
#buildinpublic
A few days ago, I got back from a business trip for my corporate job. It was my first trip in years, so it’s been interesting to compare it with where I am in my career now. Did I actually enjoy it?
October 2, 2025 at 11:25 AM
A few days ago, I got back from a business trip for my corporate job. It was my first trip in years, so it’s been interesting to compare it with where I am in my career now. Did I actually enjoy it?
Lowering expectations is a great approach for many marketing activities. Take a recruitment call, for example: #buildinpublic #marketing
September 15, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Lowering expectations is a great approach for many marketing activities. Take a recruitment call, for example: #buildinpublic #marketing
It’s been a few weeks since my last post. Why? I’ve been busy working on mvp, and honestly, social media isn’t high on my list of priorities.
After months of building, I can finally check off creating my first full-stack app. Every bit of progress is worth appreciating. The validation starts now!
After months of building, I can finally check off creating my first full-stack app. Every bit of progress is worth appreciating. The validation starts now!
September 11, 2025 at 11:02 AM
It’s been a few weeks since my last post. Why? I’ve been busy working on mvp, and honestly, social media isn’t high on my list of priorities.
After months of building, I can finally check off creating my first full-stack app. Every bit of progress is worth appreciating. The validation starts now!
After months of building, I can finally check off creating my first full-stack app. Every bit of progress is worth appreciating. The validation starts now!
I opened this article last week that discusses imposter syndrome. Wait... imposter syndrome? That's not relevant to me. I haven't even finished it.
August 20, 2025 at 7:36 AM
I opened this article last week that discusses imposter syndrome. Wait... imposter syndrome? That's not relevant to me. I haven't even finished it.