Tom 🧰

I build things and won't shut up about'em.
@BasaltApp is a file-based, self-hostable, privacy-focused budgeting app.

Freelancing 👉

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

Check this out, I’m officially unveiling my new project called Basalt in inspiration of @obsdmd. It’s a file based, self-hostable app that, just like obsidian, will be free and without paywall or tracking. More to come regularly in this account. Follow @BasaltApp if interested!

[Basalt Budgeting @BasaltApp]

Introducing Basalt Budgeting. A file-based, self-hostable cross-platform app with no paywall, no tracking, no analytics. Unlike other financial apps, we don’t sell your data. Rock-solid finances that stay yours. Beta starts soon. https://t.co/hz2O3wbXVT

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

file based means your data is a markdown file in a folder you control. not a database on someone's server. not a subscription you have to maintain. a file.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

multi agent workflows are great until you realize the bottleneck is your ability to describe the problem. throwing more models at it doesn't fix a bad prompt.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

the best feature i've ever shipped for basalt is the ability to close the app and know my data didn't go anywhere. that should not be a selling point.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

@kunalb11 Wow great take

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

the solo founder tax is real. everything takes longer, every bug is yours to fix, every decision is yours to make. i would not trade it for a team.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

multi agent workflows are great until you realize the bottleneck is your ability to describe the problem. throwing more models at it doesn't fix a bad prompt.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

your budgeting app should not require an account to function. local first is not a feature, it's the default that the industry gaslit you into thinking was unreasonable.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

the best feature i've ever shipped for basalt is the ability to close the app and know my data didn't go anywhere. that should not be a selling point.

[Dan Kulkov @DanKulkov]

you just need $9.99 weekly subscription and 125 Americans with really bad memory

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

file based means your data is a markdown file in a folder you control. not a database on someone's server. not a subscription you have to maintain. a file.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

@DataChaz He’s been saying that for over a year. When are we stop parroting the marketing bullshit?

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

the pricing model that works for indie builders: free if you self-host, cheap if you don't. anything else is punishing the wrong people.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

the solo founder tax is real. everything takes longer, every bug is yours to fix, every decision is yours to make. i would not trade it for a team.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

your budgeting app should not require an account to function. local first is not a feature, it's the default that the industry gaslit you into thinking was unreasonable.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

This past week has been spent on finalizing the migration from Monarch/YNAB tool. And unsurprisingly, I went overboard and added a bunch of migration features to migrate data even to existing vaults. I greatly improved the overall UI and UX. Also added a duplicate transaction finder and much more. It's the budgeting tool I've ever wanted and I can't wait to put it in your hands. I still believe I'll be able to soft launch @BasaltApp by next month on iOS and macOS. Stay tuned!

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

@notagodzilla @thekitze It’s not at all. Don’t spread nonsense. It still works fine.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

@Ekaeoq Go outside and touch grass. Jesus fucking Christ I mean that’s PEAK consoomerism right here.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

the pricing model that works for indie builders: free if you self-host, cheap if you don't. anything else is punishing the wrong people.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

@dawedeveloper TesterBuddy sounds like such a great idea! I wish something like that for software testing existed.

[Tom 🧰 @BuildWithTom]

This past week has been spent on finalizing the migration from Monarch/YNAB tool. And unsurprisingly, I went overboard and added a bunch of migration features to migrate data even to existing vaults. I greatly improved the overall UI and UX. Also added a duplicate transaction finder and much more. It's the budgeting tool I've ever wanted and I can't wait to put it in your hands. I still believe I'll be able to soft launch @BasaltApp by next month on iOS and macOS. Stay tuned!