The "99+" Hell: Life as a Human Router
Before I started shipping my own code, I was a Customer Success Manager (CSM) in the SaaS industry. On the surface, it was about "client growth." In reality, it was a world of digital fragmentation.
My day-to-one was spent in Lark and Slack. For every client request, a dozen internal "alignment groups" would sprout up. I realized I wasn't a strategist; I was a glorified courier. I became a "Human Router." My value was measured by how fast I could move info from Group A to Group B. My ability to think deeply was eroding, replaced by a Pavlovian response to red notification dots.
The Pivot: From "Unplanned Exit" to Xcode
Last year, I was laid off. As my corporate accounts vanished, the overwhelming relief I felt was a wake-up call. I didn’t want another notification-heavy job; I wanted to build tools that solved the very burnout I had just escaped.
I spent the last 12 months in Xcode, building a "Digital Wellbeing" ecosystem. Here’s the technical and philosophical logic behind them:
1. Purrrrrfocus: The Anti-Pressure Timer
Most productivity tools feel like another boss—cold progress bars and demanding bots. I built Purrrrrfocus as a "sanctuary."
- The Logic: A Pomodoro timer with a calming oriental aesthetic and a cat companion.
- The "Why": It’s a signal to the brain: "For the next 25 minutes, I’m offline from the chaos."
2. Step1st: The Physical Toll Bridge
I saw my mom (and myself) falling into the "doomscrolling" trap. Screen Time limits are too easy to bypass.
- The Tech: Using Apple HealthKit to create a "Physical Contract."
- The Logic: You have to hit a daily step goal to unlock addictive apps. No steps, no scroll. It turns a sedentary habit into a movement-based ritual.
3. TransMov: Local-First Privacy
As a dev, I hate sending data to servers unnecessarily. I built TransMov for macOS to handle GIF conversions and video background removal using local AI processing. No cloud, no subscription traps, just lightweight utility.
Lessons Learned as a Solo Dev
- Solve your own pain: The "Human Router" experience gave me the best product roadmap I could ask for.
- Privacy is a feature: Processing data locally (like in TransMov) isn't just a tech choice; it's a respect for the user.
- Focus is the currency: In 2026, your attention is the most valuable asset you own. Build things that protect it, not steal it.
Enjoyed this? I’m documenting my journey of building a privacy-first, focus-centric ecosystem.
📬 Follow my builds at: louisbuilds.me
🐾 Check out my main project: PurrrrrFocus
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