Monthly Devlog: Stability, Security, and Beta Outreach

Overview

April was focused on strengthening the app’s security and stability, refining core systems, and pushing forward with beta releases despite limited community feedback. A significant portion of effort went into platform-specific challenges around Mac app signing and notarization, alongside foundational improvements to the ship movement system. At the same time, I grappled with outreach difficulties and the challenge of communicating the project’s value authentically while balancing polish and transparency.

Highlights & Progress

Security & Platform Stability

• Migrated API keys from plain-text config files into the Mac keyring to enhance security.
• Closed vulnerable API endpoints to prevent configuration tampering.
• Fixed widget lifecycle issues on Mac mini, resulting in improved app startup stability and UI responsiveness.
• Purchased an Apple developer account and set up signing certificates to enable proper Mac app signing.
• Resolved issues with unsigned files and SSH remote login’s inability to access the keychain.
• Successfully notarized the Mac app after a lengthy 24+ hour process, eliminating Gatekeeper warnings.
• Decided to bundle the Mac app without renaming to avoid release complications.
• Prepared a Windows .exe version that runs but still requires signing; currently investigating signing workflows and certification/licensing costs.

Core Systems & Mechanics

• Reworked the ship movement system in Jumpsuit (working title: Orbital Jump) by splitting space and ground movement into separate systems.
• Improved transition handling between movement modes, though natural switching thresholds remain undefined and transitions still feel awkward.
• Continued to wrestle with Godot scripting complexity, especially amid the version transition from Godot 3 to 4.
• Experimented with IDE-assisted coding tools like Cursor, but integration success remains uncertain.

Beta Feedback & Community Outreach

• Beta feedback stalled with minimal engagement despite outreach efforts.
• Attempts to engage productivity forums, Obsidian, Notion communities, Reddit, and Discord resulted in removed posts or low interest.
• Planned to target Hacker News and Game Dev communities next in hopes of better traction.
• Decided to proceed with beta releases regardless of limited feedback to gather real-world usage data.

AI Tools & Development Workflow

• Used agentic AI and GitHub Copilot to rapidly build a new app in a day-job project, revealing both potential speed gains and quality trade-offs.
• Experimented cautiously with AI-assisted development tools, balancing rapid iteration with maintaining code quality.

Website & Communication

• Revised website text to reduce AI-generated tone while preserving a personal voice.
• Updated the website’s dependency list for transparency and easier maintenance.
• Engaged in an ongoing internal debate about how much to polish the website without losing authenticity.

Reflections

• Moving API keys into the keyring and closing vulnerable endpoints significantly improved security posture and gave me confidence in protecting user data.
• The Mac signing and notarization process was more complex and time-consuming than expected, but overcoming these hurdles was a major milestone for release readiness.
• Splitting the ship movement system clarified the codebase and made mode transitions easier to manage, though the user experience still needs refinement.
• Beta outreach was unexpectedly difficult; many communities were unreceptive or restrictive, which forced me to rethink where and how to engage users.
• AI-assisted coding showed promise in accelerating development but also highlighted the need for careful review to avoid quality degradation.
• Balancing polish and authenticity on the website remains a delicate challenge; I want to be clear and professional without losing the project’s personal touch.

Next Steps

• Define and implement smoother, more natural thresholds for switching between space and ground movement modes.
• Finalize the Windows signing workflow and clarify certification/licensing costs to enable a proper Windows release.
• Launch beta outreach campaigns on Hacker News and Game Dev communities, iterating outreach strategies based on response.
• Continue refining the website content to strike the right balance between polish and authentic voice.
• Explore deeper integration of AI-assisted development tools in Godot, while establishing safeguards to maintain code quality.

Keynotes

Decisions & Observations

• Decided to bundle the Mac app without renaming to avoid release complications.

Issues & Next Steps

• Needs to resolve awkward transitions and undefined natural switching thresholds between space and ground movement modes.
• Needs to finalize Windows signing workflow and clarify certification/licensing costs for Windows release.
• Will explore beta outreach campaigns on Hacker News and Game Dev communities, adjusting strategies based on engagement.
• Will continue refining website content to balance polish with authentic personal voice.
• Will explore deeper integration of AI-assisted development tools in Godot while establishing safeguards to maintain code quality.

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