What I Did This Week
Source: Dev.to
Release of SlideNote
Yesterday I released SlideNote, a Chrome browser side‑panel note‑taking extension. The idea came to me on Wednesday morning after growing frustrated with an older extension. I realized Chrome’s Side Panel API combined with Claude Code could make the implementation straightforward.
I created a folder, described the idea to the AI, discussed product thoughts briefly, and the AI helped me implement the entire project. I didn’t write a single line of code; development, article writing, cover image, and promotional copy were all AI‑generated. This is a completely AI‑driven project, and I acted merely as an AI agent.
Read more: Side Panel Notes, Always by Your Side: I Built a Browser Extension with Claude Code
Open‑Source Publication
I open‑sourced SlideNote’s code and submitted it to 阮一峰’s Tech Lovers Weekly, a Friday‑published newsletter that curates tools and information from the internet. I had submitted tools before without being featured, but this time I was included.
First Full Week with Claude Code
This was my first full week officially using Claude Code. Although I’d used it previously, I’m now more proficient and understand its capabilities better. AI development is moving fast, and all my side projects are now AI‑developed.
Skills Development
Claude Code introduced a new standard called Skills. By referencing several projects, I got started quickly—just a shift in thinking. I built several personal skills this week, many unpublished, that work especially well with Claude Code. For example, an image‑upload skill lets me upload local images to an image‑hosting service with a single sentence, streamlining article writing.
Article Performance
This week was my best since launching my official account. Several articles received thousands of views. One article, “X: My Best Information Source This Year,” now has over 8,000 views—the most‑read piece I’ve written. I initially hesitated to publish, doubting interest, but it exploded in the WeChat ecosystem, highlighting strong demand for breaking information asymmetry. I’ll continue writing at my own rhythm.
inBox Notes Update
- Released version 2.2.03 of inBox Notes, fixing many bugs.
- Introduced a new sharing template with a forest style that I particularly like.
AI Collaboration Experience
For side projects, I rely on AI for the entire workflow, whether technical or non‑technical:
- Design: AI created the cover images for SlideNote and the inBox Notes update log.
- Iteration: When the initial SlideNote cover wasn’t satisfactory, I asked the AI to “help me align it,” and the improvement was immediate.
- Marketplace Assets: The marketplace required specific screenshot dimensions. I provided the requirements to the AI, which generated the image, a webpage, and the correctly sized screenshot instantly.
Collaborating with AI feels like working with an excellent partner—give a request, get a delivery. It’s a very pleasant experience.
Challenges with Enterprise Projects
In contrast, using AI for company projects remains difficult. My company’s large, bloated codebase prevents the AI from identifying problems effectively. This week I spent two days trying to solve a UI bug with AI assistance, but it couldn’t fully resolve the issue.
Current reality
- Personal projects: AI is a lightsaber.
- Enterprise projects: AI is more like a nail clipper.
This gap can feel helpless.
Personal Well‑Being
The more excited I am about work, the easier my body gets drained. Dopamine from coding masks fatigue, but once I relax, exhaustion hits like a tide. To counter this, I force myself to rest:
- After lunch, I go outdoors, stroll, and soak up sunlight.
- I played basketball twice this week—not to win, but to sweat and give my eyes a break from the screen.
- I avoid injury and focus on happiness.
This week featured extremely high “input and output.” AI makes creation addictive, but we remain mortal. I enjoy the dopamine boost while remembering to walk downstairs, play basketball, and get sunshine.
I’m Gudong. Have a great weekend!