The first ‘I Made a Useful Thing’ thread of 2026 is officially live, serving as a fantastic barometer for the current state of indie hacking and developer creativity. As we look at the projects emerging in this new year, a clear trend is evident: developers are moving beyond simple wrappers and focusing on deeply specialized, local-first solutions.
Early entries in this week’s thread highlight a surge in productivity tools that leverage AI agents for autonomous task management, alongside a renewed interest in CLI tools that streamline complex development workflows. It’s not just about software, though; we’re seeing impressive hardware hacks and smart home integrations that prioritize privacy and local control over cloud dependency.
For makers, this weekly ritual is invaluable. It bypasses the hype cycles of Tech Twitter and provides raw, unfiltered feedback from peers. If you are looking for inspiration or a reality check on your own side project, diving into the comment section of this thread is the best way to gauge what actual builders find useful right now.
Leave a Reply