Jake Manger
@jakemanger.bsky.social
A broke PhD student turned indie developer building software like a madman
https://howtoconvert.co ($5k/mo)
https://pictiler.com ($30/mo)
+2 failures
All my projects 👉 https://merlinsbeard.ai
https://howtoconvert.co ($5k/mo)
https://pictiler.com ($30/mo)
+2 failures
All my projects 👉 https://merlinsbeard.ai
Pinned
Jake Manger
@jakemanger.bsky.social
· Aug 23
Every “free” file converter online = your files sent to some random server.
So I made my own. Runs locally as an app on Mac, Windows and Linux.
Now 1,100 users use it for 3,742 types of conversions.
So I made my own. Runs locally as an app on Mac, Windows and Linux.
Now 1,100 users use it for 3,742 types of conversions.
I’m building a universal file conversion app solo.
It converts almost anything:
documents, videos, images, audio, even email files.
I just shipped a new feature I wanted myself:
an audio trimmer.
Now you can take any video or audio file,
cut out the exact part you need,
and export it instantly.
It converts almost anything:
documents, videos, images, audio, even email files.
I just shipped a new feature I wanted myself:
an audio trimmer.
Now you can take any video or audio file,
cut out the exact part you need,
and export it instantly.
February 5, 2026 at 7:10 AM
I’m building a universal file conversion app solo.
It converts almost anything:
documents, videos, images, audio, even email files.
I just shipped a new feature I wanted myself:
an audio trimmer.
Now you can take any video or audio file,
cut out the exact part you need,
and export it instantly.
It converts almost anything:
documents, videos, images, audio, even email files.
I just shipped a new feature I wanted myself:
an audio trimmer.
Now you can take any video or audio file,
cut out the exact part you need,
and export it instantly.
I love this story from when @amazon was a small startup:
In 1995 one of their first international orders came from a customer in Bulgaria.
The buyer didn’t have a credit card, so instead shipped them a floppy disk.
In 1995 one of their first international orders came from a customer in Bulgaria.
The buyer didn’t have a credit card, so instead shipped them a floppy disk.
February 5, 2026 at 12:57 AM
I love this story from when @amazon was a small startup:
In 1995 one of their first international orders came from a customer in Bulgaria.
The buyer didn’t have a credit card, so instead shipped them a floppy disk.
In 1995 one of their first international orders came from a customer in Bulgaria.
The buyer didn’t have a credit card, so instead shipped them a floppy disk.
Haven't yet tried Perplexity AI before. But it's recommending my app to people, so thank you!
February 4, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Haven't yet tried Perplexity AI before. But it's recommending my app to people, so thank you!
When you know you’re going to have a productive day
January 30, 2026 at 3:09 PM
When you know you’re going to have a productive day
1 year ago, I made an app that converts almost any file to any other file locally
Today, over 2,200 people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇪🇸 🇲🇽 🇨🇭
Today, over 2,200 people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇪🇸 🇲🇽 🇨🇭
January 29, 2026 at 11:33 AM
1 year ago, I made an app that converts almost any file to any other file locally
Today, over 2,200 people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇪🇸 🇲🇽 🇨🇭
Today, over 2,200 people in 77 countries are using it.
🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇧🇷 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇪🇸 🇲🇽 🇨🇭
Reposted by Jake Manger
I’ve been working on my file converter app
How to Convert for a year now
Here’s what it does:
→ 3,985 video, image, audio, email & document conversions
→ Files never leave your computer. Runs 100% locally
→ Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
How to Convert for a year now
Here’s what it does:
→ 3,985 video, image, audio, email & document conversions
→ Files never leave your computer. Runs 100% locally
→ Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
January 27, 2026 at 11:11 AM
I’ve been working on my file converter app
How to Convert for a year now
Here’s what it does:
→ 3,985 video, image, audio, email & document conversions
→ Files never leave your computer. Runs 100% locally
→ Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
How to Convert for a year now
Here’s what it does:
→ 3,985 video, image, audio, email & document conversions
→ Files never leave your computer. Runs 100% locally
→ Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
Reposted by Jake Manger
Used this a few times, it's great.
Now where do I get a real alternative to Google Docs and Sheets?
Now where do I get a real alternative to Google Docs and Sheets?
I’ve been working on my file converter app
How to Convert for a year now
Here’s what it does:
→ 3,985 video, image, audio, email & document conversions
→ Files never leave your computer. Runs 100% locally
→ Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
How to Convert for a year now
Here’s what it does:
→ 3,985 video, image, audio, email & document conversions
→ Files never leave your computer. Runs 100% locally
→ Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
January 27, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Used this a few times, it's great.
Now where do I get a real alternative to Google Docs and Sheets?
Now where do I get a real alternative to Google Docs and Sheets?
I’ve been working on my file converter app
How to Convert for a year now
Here’s what it does:
→ 3,985 video, image, audio, email & document conversions
→ Files never leave your computer. Runs 100% locally
→ Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
How to Convert for a year now
Here’s what it does:
→ 3,985 video, image, audio, email & document conversions
→ Files never leave your computer. Runs 100% locally
→ Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
January 27, 2026 at 11:11 AM
I’ve been working on my file converter app
How to Convert for a year now
Here’s what it does:
→ 3,985 video, image, audio, email & document conversions
→ Files never leave your computer. Runs 100% locally
→ Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
How to Convert for a year now
Here’s what it does:
→ 3,985 video, image, audio, email & document conversions
→ Files never leave your computer. Runs 100% locally
→ Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
Got a Kindle Colorsoft (colour e-ink) and it’s amazing.
About 4 years ago I remember repeatedly looking up when colour e-ink was coming out. A reflective screen is so much better on the eyes for reading. Amazon have changed to colour well!
Currently reading My Indie Book by @tdinh_me and loving it
About 4 years ago I remember repeatedly looking up when colour e-ink was coming out. A reflective screen is so much better on the eyes for reading. Amazon have changed to colour well!
Currently reading My Indie Book by @tdinh_me and loving it
January 26, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Got a Kindle Colorsoft (colour e-ink) and it’s amazing.
About 4 years ago I remember repeatedly looking up when colour e-ink was coming out. A reflective screen is so much better on the eyes for reading. Amazon have changed to colour well!
Currently reading My Indie Book by @tdinh_me and loving it
About 4 years ago I remember repeatedly looking up when colour e-ink was coming out. A reflective screen is so much better on the eyes for reading. Amazon have changed to colour well!
Currently reading My Indie Book by @tdinh_me and loving it
Spent some time updating my browser-only photomosaic generator.
Fast, private, no signup.
pictiler.com
Fast, private, no signup.
pictiler.com
PicTiler
Create beautiful photomosaics with a browser-based tool. No uploads required - everything processes directly in your browser.
pictiler.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Spent some time updating my browser-only photomosaic generator.
Fast, private, no signup.
pictiler.com
Fast, private, no signup.
pictiler.com
Reposted by Jake Manger
I use alternativeto.net all the time when I search "alternative to X"
Amazing to see my app in one of their posts!
Amazing to see my app in one of their posts!
A universal file converter that runs locally on your device and doesn't send your files to sketchy servers
January 25, 2026 at 1:23 AM
I use alternativeto.net all the time when I search "alternative to X"
Amazing to see my app in one of their posts!
Amazing to see my app in one of their posts!
Reposted by Jake Manger
A universal file converter that runs locally on your device and doesn't send your files to sketchy servers
January 24, 2026 at 3:17 PM
A universal file converter that runs locally on your device and doesn't send your files to sketchy servers
Reposted by Jake Manger
I built a Mac and Windows app that lets you convert almost any file locally.
It's all built by 'lil ol me me, in Perth, Western Australia.
To celebrate Australian day 🇦🇺, it's 15% off!
It's all built by 'lil ol me me, in Perth, Western Australia.
To celebrate Australian day 🇦🇺, it's 15% off!
January 23, 2026 at 8:22 AM
I built a Mac and Windows app that lets you convert almost any file locally.
It's all built by 'lil ol me me, in Perth, Western Australia.
To celebrate Australian day 🇦🇺, it's 15% off!
It's all built by 'lil ol me me, in Perth, Western Australia.
To celebrate Australian day 🇦🇺, it's 15% off!
I built a Mac and Windows app that lets you convert almost any file locally.
It's all built by 'lil ol me me, in Perth, Western Australia.
To celebrate Australian day 🇦🇺, it's 15% off!
It's all built by 'lil ol me me, in Perth, Western Australia.
To celebrate Australian day 🇦🇺, it's 15% off!
January 23, 2026 at 8:22 AM
I built a Mac and Windows app that lets you convert almost any file locally.
It's all built by 'lil ol me me, in Perth, Western Australia.
To celebrate Australian day 🇦🇺, it's 15% off!
It's all built by 'lil ol me me, in Perth, Western Australia.
To celebrate Australian day 🇦🇺, it's 15% off!
I was tired of sending my files to random sites just to change formats.
So I made an app that converts everything locally.
Just added this new audio and video trimmer to it
So I made an app that converts everything locally.
Just added this new audio and video trimmer to it
January 22, 2026 at 9:34 AM
I was tired of sending my files to random sites just to change formats.
So I made an app that converts everything locally.
Just added this new audio and video trimmer to it
So I made an app that converts everything locally.
Just added this new audio and video trimmer to it
Marketing done for the day ✅
January 22, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Marketing done for the day ✅
Reposted by Jake Manger
I built a PDF compressor that runs 100% locally.
Every popular option (SmallPDF, iLovePDF) uploads your files to their servers.
Worse: they all use the same service behind the scenes anyway (pdf-tools).
I wanted drag → drop → done, on my own machine.
So I shipped it.
Every popular option (SmallPDF, iLovePDF) uploads your files to their servers.
Worse: they all use the same service behind the scenes anyway (pdf-tools).
I wanted drag → drop → done, on my own machine.
So I shipped it.
January 21, 2026 at 11:48 AM
I built a PDF compressor that runs 100% locally.
Every popular option (SmallPDF, iLovePDF) uploads your files to their servers.
Worse: they all use the same service behind the scenes anyway (pdf-tools).
I wanted drag → drop → done, on my own machine.
So I shipped it.
Every popular option (SmallPDF, iLovePDF) uploads your files to their servers.
Worse: they all use the same service behind the scenes anyway (pdf-tools).
I wanted drag → drop → done, on my own machine.
So I shipped it.
I built a PDF compressor that runs 100% locally.
Every popular option (SmallPDF, iLovePDF) uploads your files to their servers.
Worse: they all use the same service behind the scenes anyway (pdf-tools).
I wanted drag → drop → done, on my own machine.
So I shipped it.
Every popular option (SmallPDF, iLovePDF) uploads your files to their servers.
Worse: they all use the same service behind the scenes anyway (pdf-tools).
I wanted drag → drop → done, on my own machine.
So I shipped it.
January 21, 2026 at 11:48 AM
I built a PDF compressor that runs 100% locally.
Every popular option (SmallPDF, iLovePDF) uploads your files to their servers.
Worse: they all use the same service behind the scenes anyway (pdf-tools).
I wanted drag → drop → done, on my own machine.
So I shipped it.
Every popular option (SmallPDF, iLovePDF) uploads your files to their servers.
Worse: they all use the same service behind the scenes anyway (pdf-tools).
I wanted drag → drop → done, on my own machine.
So I shipped it.
Just spent the day adding better error handling to my file conversion app
January 20, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Just spent the day adding better error handling to my file conversion app
My research is actually being read 🥹
Already cited by 5!
Already cited by 5!
January 20, 2026 at 12:30 AM
My research is actually being read 🥹
Already cited by 5!
Already cited by 5!
Reposted by Jake Manger
This month over 2,200 people typed how to convert some file into another file on Google
But this time they converted their files using a website that runs completely on their device (no files leave your web browser)
So long sketchy file conversion sites that send your files to who knows where 🫡 👋
But this time they converted their files using a website that runs completely on their device (no files leave your web browser)
So long sketchy file conversion sites that send your files to who knows where 🫡 👋
January 16, 2026 at 1:41 AM
This month over 2,200 people typed how to convert some file into another file on Google
But this time they converted their files using a website that runs completely on their device (no files leave your web browser)
So long sketchy file conversion sites that send your files to who knows where 🫡 👋
But this time they converted their files using a website that runs completely on their device (no files leave your web browser)
So long sketchy file conversion sites that send your files to who knows where 🫡 👋
This month over 2,200 people typed how to convert some file into another file on Google
But this time they converted their files using a website that runs completely on their device (no files leave your web browser)
So long sketchy file conversion sites that send your files to who knows where 🫡 👋
But this time they converted their files using a website that runs completely on their device (no files leave your web browser)
So long sketchy file conversion sites that send your files to who knows where 🫡 👋
January 16, 2026 at 1:41 AM
This month over 2,200 people typed how to convert some file into another file on Google
But this time they converted their files using a website that runs completely on their device (no files leave your web browser)
So long sketchy file conversion sites that send your files to who knows where 🫡 👋
But this time they converted their files using a website that runs completely on their device (no files leave your web browser)
So long sketchy file conversion sites that send your files to who knows where 🫡 👋
Some intel I need for the next app:
Do you use screen studio or a screenshot app like Cleanshot X?
If so, what don’t you like about it? Obviously price is a big one
Do you use screen studio or a screenshot app like Cleanshot X?
If so, what don’t you like about it? Obviously price is a big one
January 13, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Some intel I need for the next app:
Do you use screen studio or a screenshot app like Cleanshot X?
If so, what don’t you like about it? Obviously price is a big one
Do you use screen studio or a screenshot app like Cleanshot X?
If so, what don’t you like about it? Obviously price is a big one