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.
Being able to “work” while I have a single origin coffee and pastry in a foreign country (the UK) is my dream.
And I’m living it.
Start that side project and even if it’s moderately successful, it’ll change your life!
And I’m living it.
Start that side project and even if it’s moderately successful, it’ll change your life!
November 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Being able to “work” while I have a single origin coffee and pastry in a foreign country (the UK) is my dream.
And I’m living it.
Start that side project and even if it’s moderately successful, it’ll change your life!
And I’m living it.
Start that side project and even if it’s moderately successful, it’ll change your life!
I built an app that converts almost any file locally.
Sound engineers: it just got long awaited PAF and SD2 audio file support.
Bringing the # supported conversions from 3,969 -> 3,985 (the most supported file conversions out of any app out there)
Sound engineers: it just got long awaited PAF and SD2 audio file support.
Bringing the # supported conversions from 3,969 -> 3,985 (the most supported file conversions out of any app out there)
November 24, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I built an app that converts almost any file locally.
Sound engineers: it just got long awaited PAF and SD2 audio file support.
Bringing the # supported conversions from 3,969 -> 3,985 (the most supported file conversions out of any app out there)
Sound engineers: it just got long awaited PAF and SD2 audio file support.
Bringing the # supported conversions from 3,969 -> 3,985 (the most supported file conversions out of any app out there)
Reposted by Jake Manger
I made a site to generate photomosaics with your pictures
November 23, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I made a site to generate photomosaics with your pictures
I made a site to generate photomosaics with your pictures
November 23, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I made a site to generate photomosaics with your pictures
Taking the startup (my laptop) to the UK for a bit!
November 23, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Taking the startup (my laptop) to the UK for a bit!
Pictiler is now ranking on Google!
November 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Pictiler is now ranking on Google!
Apple’s Liquid glass is in WebKit 🤯
But it's secret (only available via the private api)
alastair.is/apple-has-a...
But it's secret (only available via the private api)
alastair.is/apple-has-a...
November 22, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Apple’s Liquid glass is in WebKit 🤯
But it's secret (only available via the private api)
alastair.is/apple-has-a...
But it's secret (only available via the private api)
alastair.is/apple-has-a...
We're launching again!
November 21, 2025 at 10:58 AM
We're launching again!
I made an app to make photomosaics
Drag in your images or choose from stock , click generate and you’ll see your image form out of the others
It’s completely private (everything happens in your web browser) and lets you make cool mosaics like these
PicTiler.com
Drag in your images or choose from stock , click generate and you’ll see your image form out of the others
It’s completely private (everything happens in your web browser) and lets you make cool mosaics like these
PicTiler.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:47 AM
I made an app to make photomosaics
Drag in your images or choose from stock , click generate and you’ll see your image form out of the others
It’s completely private (everything happens in your web browser) and lets you make cool mosaics like these
PicTiler.com
Drag in your images or choose from stock , click generate and you’ll see your image form out of the others
It’s completely private (everything happens in your web browser) and lets you make cool mosaics like these
PicTiler.com
Claude code: "this should take 1.5 - 2 weeks"
Me: "do it now."
Me: "do it now."
November 21, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Claude code: "this should take 1.5 - 2 weeks"
Me: "do it now."
Me: "do it now."
I made an app that converts almost any file locally. Just crossed my 1800th user!
Videos below are when I launched vs now
Videos below are when I launched vs now
November 20, 2025 at 6:34 AM
I made an app that converts almost any file locally. Just crossed my 1800th user!
Videos below are when I launched vs now
Videos below are when I launched vs now
I just added clicks to my file converter app demo. How much better is it?
November 19, 2025 at 12:04 PM
I just added clicks to my file converter app demo. How much better is it?
Reposted by Jake Manger
Simple idea:
Convert any file, locally.
No uploads. No privacy issues.
Just fast local conversions in a desktop app.
Convert any file, locally.
No uploads. No privacy issues.
Just fast local conversions in a desktop app.
November 19, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Simple idea:
Convert any file, locally.
No uploads. No privacy issues.
Just fast local conversions in a desktop app.
Convert any file, locally.
No uploads. No privacy issues.
Just fast local conversions in a desktop app.
Simple idea:
Convert any file, locally.
No uploads. No privacy issues.
Just fast local conversions in a desktop app.
Convert any file, locally.
No uploads. No privacy issues.
Just fast local conversions in a desktop app.
November 19, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Simple idea:
Convert any file, locally.
No uploads. No privacy issues.
Just fast local conversions in a desktop app.
Convert any file, locally.
No uploads. No privacy issues.
Just fast local conversions in a desktop app.
If you're seeing this, it's because there's a global cloudflare outage.
It's taken down airports, uber, chatgpt and even the login system of my little app.
It's taken down airports, uber, chatgpt and even the login system of my little app.
November 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
If you're seeing this, it's because there's a global cloudflare outage.
It's taken down airports, uber, chatgpt and even the login system of my little app.
It's taken down airports, uber, chatgpt and even the login system of my little app.
How do I make my Black Friday sale page slightly less depressing?
Non-serious answers only.
Non-serious answers only.
November 18, 2025 at 11:14 AM
How do I make my Black Friday sale page slightly less depressing?
Non-serious answers only.
Non-serious answers only.
I built a local file converter so I’d never have to upload files to shady sites again.
Now it supports 3,969 file conversions and runs on Mac, Windows & Linux.
And it’s 30% off for Black Friday!
Now it supports 3,969 file conversions and runs on Mac, Windows & Linux.
And it’s 30% off for Black Friday!
November 18, 2025 at 4:33 AM
I built a local file converter so I’d never have to upload files to shady sites again.
Now it supports 3,969 file conversions and runs on Mac, Windows & Linux.
And it’s 30% off for Black Friday!
Now it supports 3,969 file conversions and runs on Mac, Windows & Linux.
And it’s 30% off for Black Friday!
One lesson from building many side projects?
Double down on your winners and bail on your losers as early as possible
#buildinpublic #sideproject
Double down on your winners and bail on your losers as early as possible
#buildinpublic #sideproject
November 17, 2025 at 11:58 AM
One lesson from building many side projects?
Double down on your winners and bail on your losers as early as possible
#buildinpublic #sideproject
Double down on your winners and bail on your losers as early as possible
#buildinpublic #sideproject
Adding SD2 and Paris Audio Format this week.
That'll bring How to Convert’s total to over 4,000 supported file conversions!
That'll bring How to Convert’s total to over 4,000 supported file conversions!
November 17, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Adding SD2 and Paris Audio Format this week.
That'll bring How to Convert’s total to over 4,000 supported file conversions!
That'll bring How to Convert’s total to over 4,000 supported file conversions!
Reposted by Jake Manger
Your company policy: "Don't upload client files to third-party servers."
Every free online converter: A third-party server.
So I built one that runs 100% locally on your computer. No uploads. No cloud. No policy violations.
Every free online converter: A third-party server.
So I built one that runs 100% locally on your computer. No uploads. No cloud. No policy violations.
November 13, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Your company policy: "Don't upload client files to third-party servers."
Every free online converter: A third-party server.
So I built one that runs 100% locally on your computer. No uploads. No cloud. No policy violations.
Every free online converter: A third-party server.
So I built one that runs 100% locally on your computer. No uploads. No cloud. No policy violations.
Your company policy: "Don't upload client files to third-party servers."
Every free online converter: A third-party server.
So I built one that runs 100% locally on your computer. No uploads. No cloud. No policy violations.
Every free online converter: A third-party server.
So I built one that runs 100% locally on your computer. No uploads. No cloud. No policy violations.
November 13, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Your company policy: "Don't upload client files to third-party servers."
Every free online converter: A third-party server.
So I built one that runs 100% locally on your computer. No uploads. No cloud. No policy violations.
Every free online converter: A third-party server.
So I built one that runs 100% locally on your computer. No uploads. No cloud. No policy violations.
This month my side project made $4,000 in a single day
and I grew a moustache
and I grew a moustache
November 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM
This month my side project made $4,000 in a single day
and I grew a moustache
and I grew a moustache
How to Convert has a new update!
It includes a new auto-update checker, which will notify you if there is a new version of the app available (no longer will you have to check manually or look out for these posts!).
It also includes professional RAW camera formats and a bunch of...
It includes a new auto-update checker, which will notify you if there is a new version of the app available (no longer will you have to check manually or look out for these posts!).
It also includes professional RAW camera formats and a bunch of...
November 10, 2025 at 11:39 AM
How to Convert has a new update!
It includes a new auto-update checker, which will notify you if there is a new version of the app available (no longer will you have to check manually or look out for these posts!).
It also includes professional RAW camera formats and a bunch of...
It includes a new auto-update checker, which will notify you if there is a new version of the app available (no longer will you have to check manually or look out for these posts!).
It also includes professional RAW camera formats and a bunch of...
How to Convert has a new update!
It includes a new auto-update checker, which will notify you if there is a new version of the app available (no longer will you have to check manually or look out for these posts!).
It also includes professional RAW camera formats and a bunch of...
It includes a new auto-update checker, which will notify you if there is a new version of the app available (no longer will you have to check manually or look out for these posts!).
It also includes professional RAW camera formats and a bunch of...
November 10, 2025 at 7:37 AM
How to Convert has a new update!
It includes a new auto-update checker, which will notify you if there is a new version of the app available (no longer will you have to check manually or look out for these posts!).
It also includes professional RAW camera formats and a bunch of...
It includes a new auto-update checker, which will notify you if there is a new version of the app available (no longer will you have to check manually or look out for these posts!).
It also includes professional RAW camera formats and a bunch of...
Reposted by Jake Manger
I made an app that does 3,902 document, video, image, audio and email file conversions.
It does it all locally, not on some random website and it just crossed 1,600 users!
It does it all locally, not on some random website and it just crossed 1,600 users!
November 8, 2025 at 11:40 AM
I made an app that does 3,902 document, video, image, audio and email file conversions.
It does it all locally, not on some random website and it just crossed 1,600 users!
It does it all locally, not on some random website and it just crossed 1,600 users!