Stephen Todd | Systems & AI

I fix messy systems in small teams.
10 years in ops & delivery.
Building with AI where it actually helps.

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

Everyone saying “AI startups are just wrappers”

They’re not wrong.

But they’re missing the point.

Nobody pays for the model

They pay for:
• A specific outcome
• Less thinking
• Less friction
• Something that actually gets used

If your “wrapper” saves someone 2 hours a day
it’s not a wrapper anymore.

It’s a business

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

You’re not lazy.

You’re overwhelmed and avoiding the start.

Use this:

Do 5 minutes. That’s it.

Tackle the hardest thing first
Work in 25 min blocks
Clear small tasks instantly
Track daily wins
Stop waiting to feel ready. Start messy.

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

No, Claude, this is not a 2–3 week project.

We’re finishing it today.

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

Most people don’t have a motivation problem.

They have a starting problem.

Try this instead:

• 5 mins on the thing you’re avoiding
• Hardest task first
• 25 min focus, 5 min reset
• Do small tasks immediately
• Track streaks, not perfection

Momentum > motivation

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

CFOs cutting headcount…

then realising their AI token bill costs more than the salaries they just removed

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

Claude Code is about to get more expensive.

Anthropic tested removing it from Pro
People thought it meant a forced jump to $100/month
Reality: small test, already rolled back

But they admitted pricing isn’t sustainable
Usage is exploding

Prices going up feels inevitable
Just a matter of when

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

@justbyte_ Hoarding overpriced domains is the new pokemon.

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

@livewithnoregrt Anthropics Economic Index can help answer this: https://t.co/32uXz7FnSi

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

@Akasheth_ Pro is a no go

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

@RhysSullivan Absolute shower of yes men

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

@bymarcoperez How did you find the app store approval process?

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

@Sylvia_lovvve Either one of those numbers is wild. Anyone citing $1000 is engagement farming or delusional. Holding XRP since 2016 and bullish but those numbers are scandalous.

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

"Just a wrapper”

...is what people say when they don’t know how to sell.

The hard part isn’t calling an API.

It’s:

• Picking a real problem
• Narrowing it down enough
• Packaging it so it’s obvious
• Getting it in front of the right people

Most people never get past step one.

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

@vivoplt Might be okay for proof of concept / early prototype but the defensibility needs baked in for anything that follows.

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

@CasiTrades I love it when it puts up a fight

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

@cyrilXBT The classic Terracotta with dark/light mode colour scheme is soon going to take over the internet.

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

@noahkagan I use both for now. They both have their unique benefits.

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

There's no elevator to success.

You have to take the stairs.

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

Anyone got any tips on what to do in the 5-10 mins while @claudeai is running?

Asking for a friend.

[Stephen Todd | Systems & AI @stoddhq]

@BCBacker Things ye love to see.