Zero to Launch: How I Built an Indie Hacker Tool Directory in 4 Hours

What if I told you I built a fully functional indie hacker tool directory in less time than it takes to binge-watch a season of “Silicon Valley”? No, I’m not exaggerating, and no, I didn’t have a team of coding wizards at my disposal. Just me, my laptop, and an insatiable appetite for rapid product development.

Welcome to the story of Hacker Bargains (hacker.bargains), a curated directory of early-access discounts on software tools for developers, indie hackers, and startup founders. Born from a single tweet and brought to life in just four hours, this project is a testament to the power of rapid execution in the world of indie making.

In this post, I’m going to take you on a whirlwind tour of how I went from seeing an inspiring tweet to launching a live product in less time than your average workday. We’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of quick decision-making, leveraging existing tools, and the art of building an MVP that’s actually viable.

But this isn’t just a story about building a website. It’s about seizing opportunities, embracing imperfection, and the thrill of bringing an idea to life at breakneck speed. Whether you’re a seasoned indie hacker or just dipping your toes into the world of building products, I hope this journey inspires you to take action on your next big idea.

Let’s dive in!

The Spark: When a Tweet Becomes an MVP

In the fast-paced world of indie hacking, inspiration can strike at any moment. For me, that moment came while scrolling through Twitter on what seemed like just another ordinary day. That’s when I stumbled upon this gem from @gabriel__xyz:

A startup idea for anyone who wants to make quick $$$:

Directory of early products (by indie devs) that must offer early discount deals (e.g. lifetime deals)

- Just take any directory boilerplate
- Add a small paywall for users to list on the directory
- Review the submissions…

— gabriel* (@gabriel__xyz) August 21, 2024

As I read through Gabriel’s tweet, something clicked. It was like a lightbulb moment, it sparked a fire to take action. Here’s why this tweet resonated so strongly:

1. Market Need: As an indie hacker myself, I’ve often struggled to find good deals on development tools. I knew I wasn’t alone.

2. Simple Concept: The idea was straightforward yet powerful - a curated list of discounted tools for developers.

3. Clear Value Proposition: Both developers looking for deals and indie makers seeking exposure could benefit.

4. Low Barrier to Entry: With the suggestion to use a directory boilerplate, I realized I could launch this quickly.

5. Community Focus: It tapped into the supportive nature of the indie hacker community.

6. Personal Motivation: I had been looking for a foothold in the Indie Hacker community and wanted to contribute something valuable. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Within minutes of reading the tweet, my mind was racing with possibilities. I wasn’t just thinking, “Someone should build this.” Instead, I found myself asking, “How quickly can I build this?”

That’s when I set myself a challenge: Could I take this idea from a tweet to a live MVP in just one afternoon?

The concept of Hacker Bargains was born, and the clock started ticking. I had four hours to turn this spark of an idea into a functioning tool directory for indie hackers.

As I closed Twitter and opened Zed I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. Could I really build a valuable product in such a short time? There was only one way to find out.

The 4-Hour Journey: Building an Indie Hacker Tool Directory

1. Rapid Ideation and Domain Selection (15 minutes)

The clock started ticking. I needed a name that was catchy, relevant, and had an available domain. Enter my secret weapon: Claude 3.5 Sonnet, an AI assistant.

I prompted Claude with our goal: a name for a directory of discounted software tools for developers. Within minutes, we had a list of potential names. “Hacker Bargains” stood out - it was punchy, descriptive, and spoke directly to our target audience.

Now, like any self-respecting indie hacker, I immediately went on a domain-buying spree. In a moment of indecision (or brilliance?), I bought four domains:

• hacker.markets
• hacker.discount
• hacker.cheap
• hacker.bargains

Yes, I’m now the proud owner of probably three too many domains. But hey, that’s the indie hacker way, right? We ended up going with hacker.bargains - it just had the right ring to it.

Time check: 15 minutes down, 3 hours and 45 minutes to go!

2. Finding the Perfect Tech Stack for Rapid Development (20 minutes)

With a name and domain secured, it was time to decide on the tech stack. The goal was speed without sacrificing scalability. Here’s where my past experiences paid off.

I knew I needed:

1. A fast, SEO-friendly framework
2. A template to avoid building from scratch
3. A simple backend for handling submissions

After a quick search, I struck gold: an AstroJS template on Lexington Themes. Why AstroJS? It’s blazing fast, great for SEO, and perfect for content-heavy sites like our directory.

For the backend, Supabase was a no-brainer. It’s like Firebase on steroids, and I could set it up in minutes.

Time check: 35 minutes in, 3 hours and 25 minutes left!

3. From Template to Tailored: Customization Sprint (120 minutes)

This was the meat of the development process. I had to transform a generic template into Hacker Bargains. Here’s what I focused on:

1. Submission Form: Created a form for indie devs to submit their products.
2. Deal Pages: Set up individual pages for each product deal.
3. Search Functionality: Implemented basic search to help users find deals.
4. Email Capture: Added a newsletter signup for deal alerts.

The key was to focus on core functionality. Was it perfect? No. Was it functional and valuable? Absolutely.

Time check: 2 hours and 35 minutes in, 1 hour and 25 minutes remaining!

4. Data Management Made Easy: Supabase Integration (30 minutes)

With the frontend taking shape, it was time to wire up our backend. Supabase made this surprisingly painless:

1. Set up tables for product submissions and newsletter signups.
2. Added row-level security to prevent unauthorized access.

The best part? Supabase’s instant APIs meant I didn’t have to write a single line of backend code.

Time check: 3 hours and 5 minutes in, 55 minutes left!

5. The Final Countdown: Deployment and Launch (15 minutes)

With the finish line in sight, it was time to deploy. Vercel was my platform of choice for its simplicity and speed.

1. Connected my GitHub repo to Vercel.
2. Set up environment variables for Supabase connection.
3. Clicked “Deploy” and crossed my fingers.

A few minutes later, Hacker Bargains was live!

I spent the remaining time doing a final sweep: testing forms, checking links, and making sure everything was functional.

Time check: 3 hours and 20 minutes. We did it with 40 minutes to spare!

The Result: Hacker Bargains - Your New Hub for Developer Deals

After our whirlwind four-hour development sprint, Hacker Bargains (hacker.bargains) was born. But what exactly did we end up with? Let’s take a tour of the MVP.

Key Features of Hacker Bargains

1. Curated Deal Directory: The heart of Hacker Bargains is its collection of handpicked software deals. Each listing includes the product name, a brief description, the discount percentage, and a direct link to the deal.

2. Search Functionality: A simple but effective search bar allows users to quickly find deals on specific tools or within particular categories.

3. Submit a Deal: Indie makers can easily submit their products for consideration through a streamlined submission form. This two-way interaction is crucial for keeping our deal inventory fresh and engaging.

4. Newsletter Signup: Visitors can subscribe to receive weekly curated lists of the best deals, fostering ongoing engagement with the platform.

Filling a Gap in the Indie Hacker Ecosystem

Hacker Bargains addresses a clear need in the market:

1. For Developers and Indie Hackers: It provides a centralized hub to discover discounts on tools that can significantly reduce the cost of building and scaling projects.
2. For Indie Makers: It offers a platform to reach a targeted audience of potential customers, helping them gain early adopters and feedback.

The rapid adoption we’ve seen suggests that Hacker Bargains is filling a real gap in the indie hacker ecosystem. It’s creating a win-win situation where developers save money, and indie makers gain exposure.

Room for Improvement

Of course, being an MVP built in just four hours, Hacker Bargains is far from perfect. Some areas we’ve identified for improvement include:

• Enhanced deal vetting process
• User reviews and ratings for deals
• More advanced search and filtering options
• Integration with popular dev tool platforms

These are all on our roadmap for future iterations. The beauty of launching quickly is that we can now prioritize improvements based on real user feedback rather than assumptions.

The Power of Just Shipping It

Hacker Bargains is more than just a deal directory - it’s a testament to the power of rapid execution. By focusing on core functionality and leveraging existing tools, we were able to go from idea to live product in record time.

This approach allowed us to:

1. Validate the concept quickly
2. Start building an audience immediately
3. Gather real-world data to inform future development

In the fast-paced world of indie hacking, sometimes done is better than perfect. Hacker Bargains proves that with the right approach, you can create something valuable in a remarkably short time.

What’s Next for Hacker Bargains?

While we’re thrilled with the initial success of Hacker Bargains, we’re just getting started. Our rapid MVP launch was only the beginning of what we hope will become an indispensable resource for the indie hacker community. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on our roadmap:

1. User Reviews and Ratings: Soon, users will be able to rate and review deals, adding another layer of trust and helping others make informed decisions.

2. Deal Reporting: We’re implementing a feature for users to report deals that have ended, ensuring our listings stay current and reliable.

3. User Accounts: We’re developing a system where users can create accounts to manage their own submissions, track their favorite deals, and personalize their experience.

We Need Your Help!

Hacker Bargains was built for the community, and we want the community to help shape its future. Here’s how you can contribute:

• Submit Your Deals: Are you an indie maker offering a great deal on your product? Submit it here.
• Provide Feedback: Your input is crucial. Let us know what features you’d like to see or how we can improve.
• Spread the Word: If you find Hacker Bargains useful, share it with your network. The more people we reach, the more deals we can bring to the community.

Conclusion: Your Turn to Ship It!

As we wrap up this journey from tweet to live product, I hope this story of building Hacker Bargains in just four hours has inspired you. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Ideas are everywhere: That random tweet or shower thought could be your next successful project.

2. Speed trumps perfection: Launching quickly allowed us to validate the concept and start improving based on real feedback.

3. Leverage existing tools: We didn’t reinvent the wheel. Using tools like AstroJS, Supabase, and Vercel dramatically accelerated our development.

4. Focus on core value: By concentrating on the essential features, we were able to launch a useful product in record time.

5. Engage your community: The indie hacker community has been invaluable in providing feedback and spreading the word.

Remember, the perfect time to start building is now. You don’t need months of planning or a fully-fledged business plan. Sometimes, all it takes is a spark of inspiration and a few hours of focused work.

So, what are you waiting for? Your next big idea could be just a tweet away. Take that idea you’ve been sitting on, give yourself a tight deadline, and just ship it!

And while you’re building the next big thing, don’t forget to check out Hacker Bargains for some sweet deals on the tools you might need along the way.

Happy hacking, and may your coffee be strong and your compile times short!

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on the best deals for developers and indie hackers. Who knows, you might just find the perfect tool to bring your next idea to life!