Blog - Smin Rana

Case Study 5: Dev Tool MVP
I built a CLI tool intended to standardize local development setup across microservices. The promise: one command—dev bootstrap—that discovers services, generates .env files, and starts containers via Docker Compose. In demos, it was magical. In real teams, it broke in 40% of setups due to… Read more: Case Study 5: Dev Tool MVP
Case Study 4: Consumer Health MVP
The product was a habit-building app focused on sleep: wind-down routines, gentle alarms, and a simple educational library. The launch was exciting—we onboarded ~500 users via two TikTok creators. Engagement was strong in the first week thanks to streaks and badges. But adherence to core… Read more: Case Study 4: Consumer Health MVP
Case Study 3: B2B Analytics MVP
The goal was clear: build a dashboard that helps mid-size e-commerce operations teams make better decisions. I connected to Shopify and GA4, assembled cohort retention charts, SKU performance views, and canned insights like “top movers” and “at-risk SKUs”. Pilots at three brands praised the look… Read more: Case Study 3: B2B Analytics MVP
Case Study 2: Marketplace MVP
I built an MVP for a niche two-sided marketplace: connecting technical blog owners with specialist copy editors who understand developer audiences. The concept felt obvious—blogs need consistent, high-quality editing; editors want steady work. I avoided heavy search and built a curated matching process using a… Read more: Case Study 2: Marketplace MVP
Case Study 1: Productivity App MVP
I set out to build a minimalist task manager for indie freelancers and solo creators—people who value speed and focus, and who often bounce between deep work and chaotic client requests. My hypothesis was simple: if I can reduce friction in task capture and weekly… Read more: Case Study 1: Productivity App MVP
Why Power Users Pay (and Casual Users Don’t)
Most apps chase features. The users who pay aren’t buying primitives; they’re buying outcomes at intensity. Power users hit a repeatable moment every day (or multiple times a day) and the product removes, compresses, and automates that moment. Casual users never reach that cadence. It… Read more: Why Power Users Pay (and Casual Users Don’t)
Why Most Productivity Apps Feel The Same
Most productivity apps ship the same surface: lists, boards, tags, calendar, “AI assist,” and an inbox that slowly turns into a museum of intent. Different logos, same experience. It isn’t a taste problem. It’s the incentives and defaults you’re building under. When teams optimize for… Read more: Why Most Productivity Apps Feel The Same
What Makes An App Review Trustworthy In 2026
With AI‑generated text everywhere, the only reviews that matter are the ones that help you predict outcomes. Trustworthy reviews are specific, reproducible, and honest about trade‑offs. Here’s how to evaluate them—and write them. Trust Signals (look for these) Intent and audience: states the job‑to‑be‑done and… Read more: What Makes An App Review Trustworthy In 2026
The Real Difference Between Indie And VC Apps
It isn’t “big vs small.” It’s “which game are you playing?” Indie and VC apps operate under different goals and constraints. When you internalize those differences, your roadmap, distribution, and daily work stop fighting each other. The Operating Assumptions (and why they matter) Goal Indie:… Read more: The Real Difference Between Indie And VC Apps
Why App Store Discovery Is Broken
If the App Store were a library, the shelves would be rearranged every hour, the index would hide the best books behind vague keywords, and the staff would only recommend titles from last week’s display. It works for trending hits. It fails quiet, useful tools—the… Read more: Why App Store Discovery Is Broken
How Indie Devs Should Approach Bloggers
Bloggers don’t owe you coverage. They owe their readers value. Your job isn’t to persuade—it’s to package a story their audience will thank them for. That mindset shift turns outreach from a cold ask into a collaboration. This guide shows you how to become a… Read more: How Indie Devs Should Approach Bloggers
What Founders Get Wrong About App Reviews
Most founders treat reviews like a scoreboard. Reviews are a distribution surface and a product signal loop. Done right, they lift store rank, increase conversion, reduce churn, and tell you exactly what to build next. Done poorly, they become noise, nagging, and policy risk. This… Read more: What Founders Get Wrong About App Reviews
Why Indie Apps Fail Without Distribution
You’re not competing with other indie devs. You’re competing with attention. Most apps don’t fail because they’re bad; they fail because nobody ever consistently puts them in front of people who might care. Distribution is not a single channel you “turn on.” It’s a repeatable… Read more: Why Indie Apps Fail Without Distribution
Best App Switcher In 2026: AltTab Vs Mission Control Vs Contexts
I compared AltTab, Mission Control, and Contexts across a dual‑monitor, keyboard‑first workflow on macOS. The focus: time to target window, accuracy, and how each handles many windows across multiple apps. AltTab Mission Control Contexts Quick Verdict (2026) Best for keyboard power users: AltTab—Windows‑style thumbnails, per‑monitor… Read more: Best App Switcher In 2026: AltTab Vs Mission Control Vs Contexts
Best Password Manager In 2026: 1Password Vs Keychain Vs Bitwarden
I compared 1Password, Apple Keychain, and Bitwarden across macOS and iOS for a week—focusing on autofill speed, failure rates on complex logins, shared vaults, passkeys, and day‑to‑day usability. 1Password Bitwarden Apple Keychain Quick Verdict (2026) Best overall: 1Password for polished autofill, shared vaults, recovery, and… Read more: Best Password Manager In 2026: 1Password Vs Keychain Vs Bitwarden