Hi DEV, I’m Shane, the founder of Katonx.
I’m building a Windows desktop app that brings local AI models and cloud providers together, with privacy, choice, and a welcoming experience at its heart.
The idea started with a question: What would AI look like if the person using it had more control?
Control over which model they use. What stays on their device. What they choose to send to a provider. And how the whole experience fits into their day.
That’s the direction behind Katonx.
I work with multiple AI tools throughout development, and the biggest lesson so far has been learning how much judgment that requires. A confident answer still needs checking. A passing test has a scope. A feature needs to make sense to the person clicking it.
There’s also the less glamorous work: installers, dependencies, hardware compatibility, and all the small details between “it works here” and something you can confidently hand to someone else.
Katonx is still in development and almost ready to ship to the world. I’m joining DEV to share that process, learn from people who have shipped their own projects, and have honest conversations about building with AI.
If you’re working on local AI, desktop software, or an independent project, I’d love to hear what you’re learning.
What’s one thing you wish you’d understood before shipping your first app?
— Shane
Founder, Katonx
katonx.com
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