Let’s be honest about side projects: they usually end up in a GitHub graveyard.
A few months ago, I was completely burning out. Between my dyslexia and the intense cognitive load of writing C# and untangling SQL all day, my working memory by 5:00 PM was entirely shot. Trying to remember what I actually did just to write my daily stand-up updates felt like an impossible wall of executive dysfunction.
So, I built SheepCat a 100% offline, local-first work tracker that uses Ollama to gently turn my messy, typo-filled brain dumps into clean corporate updates without leaking my company's proprietary code to the cloud.
I built it just to survive my own brain. But when I open-sourced it, the response from the community was incredible. Seeing other devs use it to reclaim their flow state and beat "time blindness" has been the highlight of my year.
The Reality of Open Source Maintenance
Keeping a desktop app alive, fixing bugs, and refactoring the architecture takes a lot of late nights. Up until now, SheepCat has been entirely fueled by my own stubbornness and a dangerous amount of coffee.
To help keep the project actively maintained, 100% free, and completely open-source, I’ve decided to officially launch Memberships on Buy Me a Coffee.
But I didn't just want to ask for donations. I wanted to build the rewards directly into the software.
The Developer-Focused Tiers
If you’ve ever wanted your name shipped to the local machine of every single user, this is your chance. Here is how the tiers break down:
☕ Tier 1: Keep the Lights On
Steer the Roadmap: Get exclusive access to backer polls. When we hit an architectural crossroads or need to prioritize a new feature, you get the deciding vote.
The README Roll: Your name and link proudly listed on the main GitHub repository.
💻 Tier 2: Baked Into the Code
The Hall of Fame: I am literally hardcoding your name and your handle (GitHub, Bluesky, etc.) into the codebase. You will be permanently immortalized on SheepCat’s new "About" UI screen.
Priority Triage: If you open a GitHub issue or feature request, let me know you are a Tier 2 backer, and your ticket jumps straight to the top of my local sprint board.
Building tools for our own brains
If SheepCat has helped you manage your cognitive load, or if you just want to support indie, local-first software, I would be incredibly grateful to have you on board.
You can check out the new memberships (or just drop a one-time coffee) right here @ buy me a coffee
Thank you to everyone who has downloaded the app, submitted PRs, or just dropped a kind word. Building for this community is an absolute privilege. 🐑🐈
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