Ask HN: What are you working on? (February 2025)

Hacker News Discussion ↗

AI, Developer Tools & Infrastructure

  • Many are building AI tooling: customizable enterprise chat systems, self-hosted AI servers, code-generation agents inside GitHub, visual AI infrastructure, and multi‑modal agents that control desktops and browsers.
  • Several projects focus on making dev workflows easier: Django deployment helpers, a Git-based collaboration platform on atproto, a new full‑stack language (Firefly), an IDE-integrated course recorder, and tools to simplify logging, monitoring, and durable async workflows.
  • Parsing, languages, and compilers are a recurring theme: custom parser combinator libraries, configuration languages (RCL), an async-circuit compiler, and multiple new or experimental programming languages.

Design, Web & Productivity Tools

  • A number of tools target designers and frontend devs: WCAG‑aware color palette builders, Tailwind color utilities, SVG and vector editors, and infinite canvas/code-mapping tools to visualize large codebases.
  • Productivity apps include cross-platform clipboard/launcher tools, todo managers, reading trackers, personal-library “scrapbooks,” habit and journal companions, and various note‑taking / “second brain” experiments (often with LLM integration).

Education, Language & Learning

  • Multiple projects focus on teaching: browser-based Python tutorials for kids, language learning via stories or podcasts, spaced‑repetition vocabulary tools, and apps to help university students study with retrieval practice and exam generation.
  • Some are building niche learning tools (e.g., Finnish pocket dictionary, Japanese vocab app, tools for Korean).

Games, Creative & Hardware

  • Many indie games in development: retro‑style raycasters, roguelikes, party games, MMOs, and experimental AI‑powered NPC systems.
  • Creative work spans novels, short stories, music tools (web DAWs, DSP DSLs), 3D house modeling, CNC/robotics projects, and custom hardware (departure boards, robotics for chores, UPS hacking, e‑ink devices).

Hosting, Cloud & Self‑Hosting

  • Several are simplifying self‑hosting: private hosting portals, Kubernetes‑based Heroku/Render alternatives, Docker clustering tools, and static-hosting platforms.
  • Others build vertical SaaS on top of infra: ecommerce APIs, subscription trackers, monitoring tools, Git analytics, and niche B2B products.

Life, Community & Wellbeing

  • Many mention non‑technical projects: raising children and grandchildren, house renovations, farming, learning instruments, and managing burnout or depression.
  • There’s visible interest in social detox and healthier digital habits (dopamine detox platforms, social‑media replacements, journaling tools).

Debates & Deep Threads

  • A long sub‑discussion examines speeding near schools, citizen speed‑tracking via cameras and OpenCV, and enforcement vs. road design; participants disagree on legality (GDPR, local law) and on how far surveillance or state intervention should go.
  • Smaller debates touch on Twitter’s culture, privacy vs. convenience with doorbell cameras, and safety vs. freedom in traffic enforcement.