Why tiny tools matter

EDIT (18 Jun, 2026): This is a fake writing entry for testing the article page. The point is to exercise headings, quotes, lists, inline code, and code blocks in one place.

Most of the tools I actually use every day are not impressive. They are tiny, boring, and usually held together by a name I can remember at 1 a.m. That is exactly why I like them. A small tool should feel like a drawer: easy to open, easy to close, and not dramatic about either.

I used to wait until a workflow became painful before I automated it. Now I try to notice the earlier signal: a small sigh before doing the same thing for the fifth time. That sigh is usually the product spec.

The first version should be plain

The temptation is to make the tool too clever too early. I try to start with a script that accepts a few arguments and prints something useful.

type Note = { title: string; body: string; tags: string[]; }; function summarize(note: Note) { return `${note.title} (${note.tags.join(", ")})`; }

The boring version teaches me what the tool wants to become. If I still use it after a week, then it earns a nicer interface.

What I usually keep

• A command for starting common project tasks.
• A script for cleaning up old drafts.
• A shortcut for opening the files I always forget.
• A tiny checklist for release steps.

What I usually delete

I delete anything that needs too much explanation. Personal tools are allowed to be specific, but they should not require a ceremony. If I cannot remember how to use it, the interface is probably wrong.

A small rule

If the tool saves less time than it costs to maintain, it should either become simpler or disappear.

That sounds obvious, but obvious rules are useful because they catch me when I am being fancy for no reason.