Tim Finch

Writing.

Build threads, product notes, and technical writing about trying to make useful software instead of just interesting prototypes.

Build threadsCase studiesProduct notes
Essays
25
Threads
6
Products
6

Latest launch note

Launching Cutout Studio as a Verified Beta.

A background-removal tool becomes a much more serious product once you treat public use, abuse handling, moderation, and operator accountability as first-class requirements.

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Featured build threads

Writing tied directly to products in progress.

These series are where I actually work through product shape, architecture, trade-offs, and commercial questions — not a highlight reel, the real back-and-forth.

Three posts / Positioning, commercial path, and hosted-product reality

CampaignForge AI Build Thread

A build thread on turning CampaignForge AI from a rough prototype into a smaller product that could actually be sold.

  1. Part 1June 21, 2026

    Introducing CampaignForge AI

    CampaignForge AI takes one campaign brief and turns it into a stronger starting point across strategy, messaging, and creative direction.

  2. Part 2June 24, 2026

    Choosing the Right Commercial Path for CampaignForge AI

    The best next step for CampaignForge AI is not a big platform play. It is to pick the smallest shape that makes sense and see if people want it.

Open thread

Four posts / Product strategy, architecture, roadmap, and release readiness

CityScout Build Thread

A build thread on building a city-first travel product across iOS, backend, and a future web planning layer.

  1. Part 1April 25, 2026

    Building CityScout: A Local-First AI Travel Companion

    CityScout is a city-first travel companion built to help people feel oriented before a trip starts, without forcing AI into every corner of the product.

  2. Part 2April 27, 2026

    CityScout Architecture: Native iOS, FastAPI, and a Shared AI Backend

    CityScout keeps the iOS app light, the backend authoritative, and OpenAI behind a server boundary so the product stays easier to secure and evolve.

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Seven posts / Product, design, architecture, and process

Hoxa Build Thread

A running record of how Hoxa is taking shape, from the product idea through the training system and architecture.

  1. Part 1April 12, 2026

    Why I'm Building Hoxa

    Hoxa starts from a simple observation: a lot of fitness products ask for confidence before they do enough to help someone build it.

  2. Part 2April 14, 2026

    Designing a Fitness App That Gets Out of the Way

    The visual and interaction design of Hoxa has to lower friction without flattening ambition. Clear priorities matter more than sanding the product down until it feels generic.

Open thread
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Three posts / Launch, evaluation strategy, and engine architecture

EvalKit Build Thread

A build thread on turning EvalKit into a real product, from the evaluation argument through the FastAPI engine and SaaS plumbing.

  1. Part 1June 9, 2026

    Introducing EvalKit

    A launch note for EvalKit covering the problem, the product model, the current build, and where it goes next.

  2. Part 2June 11, 2026

    Why Your LLM Needs Regression Tests

    A first-principles case for regression testing LLM features, focused on the failure modes spot checks miss and the workflow that keeps them visible.

Open thread

All writing

Shorter notes, essays, and archive pieces.

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