I understand the temptation of using AI to write your own apps. I’m sick of the endless subscriptions, feature bloat, and raising the subscription price to accommodate the feature bloat. But it may not be all it’s cracked up to be.

It can definitely be a huge timesaver (I've used it to build WordPress plugins and write Obsidian Dataview code), but it can also be a huge time suck.

It can be hard to know if it’s worth trying. That’s why in this episode, I give you a simple 5-question framework to help you decide when building your own software makes sense — and when it's just a shiny distraction.

If you've ever thought about vibe coding your way to the perfect tool, this one's for you.

Have you tried vibe coding something for your business? I want to hear about it — head over to Streamlined Feedback and leave me a voice note.

And if you want to try the iOS app I built, join the beta at streamlined.fm/app. In this episode, I cover:

• Why the death of single-purpose software is making us all want to build our own tools
• The 3 things you still need to understand even when AI is writing the code
• Quick wins: where AI-assisted coding actually saves time
• My cautionary tale of building an iOS app with AI
• A 5-question decision framework for solopreneurs considering building software
• 3 pieces of advice if you do decide to go for it
• How to use your app as "sawdust" — and turn it into a lead magnet

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Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health.

Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweep

If this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

I'm trying a new format this week called the Friday Wrap-up, where I tell you what's on my mind, and recommend some articles and videos. The hope here is to curate some more timely resources to help you think about your solopreneur systems, and how to work better so you can take more time off!

Here's the Wrap-Up for April 10, 2026.

On my mind

• Using AI to do all of the writing for you.
• Using Claude MAX

Recommended Reading

• Rethinking RSS, newsletters, and how I read every morning
• The 3 Question Test for Using AI Effectively

Recommended Media

• I Made a Network of Every Home Run in MLB History

Send feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com

• (00:00) - Why I started this
• (01:12) - What's on my mind
• (08:20) - Recommended Reading
• (10:45) - Recommended Media
• (11:41) - Wrapping up

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Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health.

Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweep

If this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

I can’t imagine something more overwhelming than sitting down on Monday and having no idea what to work on, despite knowing you have a bunch of work to do. But that’s how many solopreneurs start their week.

Even worse, when you don’t know what to do, it’s easier for other people to hijack your time, you waste time by deciding in the moment, and it’s hard to measure success.

I’ve spent years refining a system that takes just 20 to 25 minutes every Sunday, but saves me hours of "buffer time" and decision fatigue during the week. By the time I walk into my office on Monday morning, I already know exactly which three tasks I need to accomplish.

Today I’m going to share that system with you.

Want to try my new Daily Three app for iOS? Join my mailing list to here: https://streamlined.fm/app

Show Notes

• The Sidekick Notepad
• The Plus/Minus/Next Approach

Send feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com

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Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health.

Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweep

If this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/