I Got Tired of Tab-Switching for Simple Calculations, So I Built This

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

As developers we spend our days solving complex problems, yet the simplest tasks still break our flow:

• “What’s 150 EUR in USD?” → Open Google
• “What time is it in Tokyo right now?” → Check world clock
• “When is 45 days from today?” → Open calendar, count manually
• “What’s 18 % tip on $85?” → Pull out phone calculator

Every tab switch is a context switch, and every context switch costs focus. I kept thinking: why can’t I just type what I’m thinking and get the answer?

Most calculators are built for numbers, not questions. You can’t type $150 + 20 % tax into a standard calculator; you have to:

1. Type 150
2. Multiply by 0.20
3. Add the result to 150
4. Remember what you were doing before

And for currency, time zones, or date math? Those need separate apps entirely.

Octa – A Text‑Based Calculator

Octa is a text‑based calculator that works the way your brain does. Instead of buttons and separate apps, you just type naturally.

Example Interactions

No mode switching. No app hopping. Just type → answer.

Features that Fit Daily Dev Work

• Instant Results
• Multi‑line Scratch Pad
• Works Offline
• Keyboard‑First
• Dark Mode Native

Real‑World Use Cases

• Sprint planning: today + 14 days for sprint end dates
• International meetings: 3pm PST in Berlin before scheduling
• Freelance invoices: $2500 * 0.85 for after‑platform fees
• Quick health check: BMI 70kg, 175cm during a break
• Travel planning: 500 USD to JPY for budget estimates

The pattern is always the same: type what you’re thinking, get the answer.

Why Octa Over a Browser Search

• Privacy: Your calculations stay on your machine, not in search history.
• Speed: No page load, no ads, no “did you mean…”.
• Offline: Works on planes, in tunnels, anywhere.
• Focus: No temptation to check “just one more thing” while the browser is open.

Every time you open a browser for a quick calculation, you risk the rabbit hole.

Technical Details

• Runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
• Built with Tauri (not Electron), so it’s about 5 MB instead of 150 MB+.
• Starts instantly and barely touches your RAM.

Get Started

If you’re tired of breaking flow for simple calculations, give Octa a shot:

octa.techyowls.io

I’d love to hear what calculations you find yourself doing most often. Always looking for patterns to support better tools.

What’s your most annoying “simple task” that breaks your coding flow? Drop it in the comments—curious if others have the same frustrations.

Tags: #productivity #tools #developers #workflow #showdev