Idea, build, ship, share.
Side projects die in the planning phase. You spend weeks picking the perfect stack, overthinking the name, and building features nobody asked for. Then you never launch because it's 'not ready yet.' The graveyard of unshipped projects is enormous.
doth.is has a side project checklist that keeps you focused: define the idea, set up tech, build the MVP, and ship it. The template is deliberately opinionated — it pushes you to cut scope, ship fast, and share before you think it's ready.
4 phases: idea, tech setup, build MVP, and ship & share
Pushes you to define the idea in one sentence and cut scope ruthlessly
Covers repo setup, deployment, core feature, and launch posting
Share with an accountability buddy to keep you on track
Free. No sign-up. Takes 10 seconds.
Write down what it does in one sentence. Sketch the simplest version on paper. Pick a stack you already know (don't learn new tech on a side project). Set up the repo, deploy a hello world, build the one core feature, and ship it. Use a checklist to stay focused and avoid scope creep.
Time-box it: aim to ship in one weekend or one week maximum. If it's taking longer, your scope is too big. Cut features until the MVP is buildable in your timeframe. You can always add features after launch based on real feedback.
Launch when the core feature works end-to-end, even if it's ugly. Most side projects die because they never launch, not because they launched too early. Ship it, get feedback, and iterate. The first version should embarrass you slightly.
Post on Twitter/X with a screenshot, share in relevant Discord and Slack communities, post on Reddit in relevant subreddits, submit to Hacker News and Product Hunt, send to 10 friends personally, and write a short build thread about the process.
Last updated: April 2026