I spent this period fixing animation inconsistencies to better fit the app’s overall theme, which helped smooth out some rough edges visually. I also tweaked the custom mode generator to produce more unusual shapes, trying to add a bit more variety and interest there. The menu system and first-time setup flow got normalized, and I added a completion notification to make it clearer when the initial setup is done. I want users to dig into the settings more, so I added some prompts encouraging that.

On the licensing front, I made the entry and prompting more formal and started locking down features if the license isn’t valid. That said, the app still starts up even without a valid license, which I plan to fix later. Removing Torch and MPS dependencies was a big win—cut the EXE size down to about 300 MB, which feels more manageable.

I added tooltips throughout the app to help with navigation, but they’re a bit intrusive right now. I’m thinking about adding a delay before they show up so they don’t get in the way so much. The mode builder got a refactor so you can enter system prompts and build tag lists directly within the class, but there are still bugs with handling multiple tags per line. I need to modify the parsing script to handle that better and strip out invalid tags.

Menu-wise, I disabled different icons based on config flags for now and added a new menu item specifically for errors. The error handling system itself needs a proper refactor, which is on my list.

I’ve been brainstorming new names for the app—“Cave,” “Cove,” and “Hollow” came up—but haven’t decided yet. Rebranding would be a pain since it means updating file names, splash screens, tray menus, URLs, and docs, so I’m weighing whether it’s worth it.

I’m also exploring expanding summarization support beyond OpenAI to include Gemini and Copilot APIs, but I’m not sure how practical that is or what backend and config changes it would require. Still figuring that out.

Open questions I’m juggling include whether to add a progress meter to smooth the user experience, how to make tooltips less annoying, how to fully block app startup without a valid license, and whether to commit to a new app name. There’s a fair bit still in flux, but the core improvements to setup, licensing, and size reduction feel like solid progress.

Two-Line Takeaway

Key step forward

The most important forward progress step was removing Torch and MPS dependencies, which significantly reduced the app’s executable size to about 300 MB, making it more manageable.

Significant barrier or risk

The most important barrier or risk is the incomplete licensing enforcement, as the app still starts up without a valid license, which needs to be fixed to prevent unauthorized use.

Keynotes

Decisions & Observations

• Decided to formalize licensing prompts and start locking features without a valid license; needs to fully block app startup without a valid license in the future.
• Added completion notification for first-time setup and prompts to encourage users to explore settings more.
• Disabled dynamic menu icons based on config flags; added a new menu item for errors; plans to refactor the error handling system properly.
• Added tooltips throughout the app but they are intrusive; will explore adding a delay before showing tooltips to improve UX.

Issues & Next Steps

• Refactored mode builder to allow entering system prompts and building tag lists within the class; needs to fix bugs with multiple tags per line by improving the parsing script.
• Considering rebranding with new app names but weighing the effort required to update all assets and docs; decision pending.
• Exploring expanding summarization support beyond OpenAI to Gemini and Copilot APIs; needs to assess backend and config implications.

Uncategorized Notes

• Removed Torch and MPS dependencies, reducing EXE size to about 300 MB for better manageability.
• Open questions include adding a progress meter to improve user experience and committing to a new app name.

Generated with Nucleate by Watchlight Studio — distilled from full transcription.