I spent this period focusing a lot on tightening up security and cleaning up some messy parts of the app and website. The biggest step was moving API keys out of plain-text config files and into the keyring. I’m not totally sure yet how secure that actually is in practice, especially on Mac, since I haven’t tested the keyring integration fully or figured out how it plays with Mac’s secure API key handling. That’s still hanging over me. Alongside that, I closed some endpoints that were vulnerable to config tampering, which felt necessary but also reminded me how easy it is to overlook these attack surfaces.

On the gameplay side, I reworked the ship movement system in Jumpsuit (working title: Orbital Jump) by splitting space and ground modes into separate systems. The old combined approach was clunky and caused weird transitions, so this felt like a cleaner way to handle it. Still, the code itself feels awkward and I haven’t nailed down natural thresholds for switching between modes. It’s a bit of guesswork right now, and I’m not sure how to make it feel smooth and intuitive without overcomplicating things.

Godot scripting continues to be a pain point. I tried leaning on GPT-based advice, but it was only marginally helpful—mostly I’m stuck figuring things out by trial and error. Moving the recent code refactors onto a Mac mini helped a bit since it’s a more stable environment, and I finally fixed some widget lifecycle issues that were causing startup problems. The app now runs more smoothly with updated labels, new widgets, disclaimers, and overlays, which feels like progress even if it’s still rough around the edges.

The website got some attention too. I revised the text to reduce the AI-generated vibe while keeping a personal tone. The content is about 80-90% original handwritten drafts with AI polish, except for the technical setup sections, which I left fully AI-generated. I also updated the dependency list to include all libraries, not just the core ones, which should help with transparency and maintenance. I’m still debating how much to polish the site before risking losing that authentic voice I want to keep.

The Nucleate project is stalled, waiting on feedback from my brother, and I’m not sure if I should push forward without it or just wait. I’m planning to package the app as a DMG and send it to him for testing soon, aiming for a beta launch by the end of the week. I’m bracing myself for the feedback period over the next two weeks, though part of me worries it’ll feel like waiting for a train that might never come. There’s also this emotional hurdle around wanting real user feedback but hesitating to face it.

Overall, I’m juggling a lot of open questions: how to improve the security setup in practice, how to smooth out the ship movement transitions, how to get past Godot’s scripting challenges without endless guesswork, and how to balance polishing the app and website without losing authenticity or over-engineering. I’m making slow but steady progress, though it’s clear there’s still a lot to figure out.

Two-Line Takeaway

Key step forward

The most important forward progress step was moving API keys out of plain-text config files and into the keyring, along with reworking the ship movement system to separate space and ground modes.

Significant barrier or risk

The most important barrier or risk is uncertainty about the actual security of the keyring integration, especially on Mac, and the emotional challenge of awaiting real user feedback while facing ongoing technical and design uncertainties.

Keynotes

Decisions & Observations

• Decided to move API keys from plain-text config files into the keyring for improved security.
• Struggling with Godot scripting; GPT-based advice is only marginally helpful, requiring continued trial and error.
• Fixed widget lifecycle issues on Mac mini, resulting in smoother app startup and improved UI elements.
• Updated website content to reduce AI-generated tone while maintaining a personal voice; added full dependency list for transparency and maintenance.

Issues & Next Steps

• Needs to resolve uncertainties around the actual security of keyring integration on Mac and test its compatibility with Mac’s secure API key handling.
• Reworked ship movement system by splitting space and ground modes into separate systems to improve transitions, but needs to define natural, smooth switching thresholds without overcomplicating the code.
• Debating the extent of website polishing to avoid losing authentic voice.
• Nucleate stalled awaiting brother’s feedback; planning to package app as DMG and send for testing soon with beta launch targeted by week’s end.
• Preparing for a potentially long and uncertain user feedback period, facing emotional hesitation about receiving real feedback.
• Ongoing priorities: improving practical security measures, refining ship movement transitions, overcoming Godot scripting challenges, and balancing app/website polish with authenticity.

Uncategorized Notes

• Closed vulnerable endpoints to prevent config tampering but recognizes the risk of overlooked attack surfaces.

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