I’m Wen — Pro as a Dev, Rookie as an IndieDev
By day, I’m a tech lead/architect building SaaS platforms and solving big system problems. But outside of work, I’ve been diving into indie making — learning how much harder it is to build something people actually use than just writing clean code.
My latest project is Lumorae – AI Wellness Mind, a journaling app where your own thoughts come back to you as personalized affirmations, reflections, and quotes. You can even journal by voice and listen back to affirmations — it’s like having a supportive friend who talks back.
I built Lumorae because I wanted something more personal than generic quotes, but lighter than heavy meditation apps. Right now, it’s live on iOS and I’m trying to find out if it resonates with people beyond just me.
Would love for you to check it out, share honest feedback, and maybe even help this rookie indie dev turn a side project into something meaningful. 🙏
👉 Download Lumorae on the App Store
Replies
Thanks so much for checking out Lumorae! This is my very first indie launch, and honestly — I’m both excited and nervous.
As someone who’s been a pro developer for years, I thought the hardest part of building was the coding. Turns out, as an indie dev, it’s everything else: positioning, storytelling, finding users, and figuring out what really matters to people.
With Lumorae, I wanted to solve a problem I personally felt: journaling often felt one-sided. So I built a simple loop where your own words come back to you as affirmations, reflections, and quotes — sometimes even spoken back in a calming voice. It’s been meaningful for me, and I hope it can be for others too.
I’d love your feedback on:
Does this feel useful enough for a daily habit?
What would make it stickier for you personally?
Any advice for a rookie indie dev trying to get first traction?
I’ll be here all day answering questions and soaking up wisdom from the PH community. Thank you again for the support!