I Built PomoLab, a Pomodoro Timer That Records Your Work Time
Why I made PomoLab, how to alternate focus and breaks, and how its locally stored history and charts help me look back on my work.
Articles in English
English translations of my Japanese articles about chess, apps, programming, games, and everyday life.
34 articles · Browse series →
Adding Daily Streaks to My Chess App, Caltrilo
I added daily streaks to Caltrilo, my chess review app. Here's why I built the feature, how it works, and my first impressions of using it.
I Moved My Blog from WordPress to Astro: A New Suzushin Lab
Why I rebuilt Suzushin Lab with Astro, how I worked with Codex, and how I preserved existing articles while connecting the blog with my apps.
I Used AI to Make and Post a Pinterest Pin for a Blog Article
How I made a reusable Codex skill for Pinterest images and copy, and what eight impressions and one outbound click told me after about two days.
Adding AI Play to Caltrilo: From a Stockfish Game to Review and Practice
I added Stockfish games to Caltrilo and tried the full play, analysis, and puzzle-review cycle. Here are the new features, my impressions, and what still needs work.
I Built Caltrilo to Turn My Chess Games into Tactics Puzzles
Why I built Caltrilo to review missed opportunities in my own chess games, how to import games and solve puzzles, and what I learned while making it.
My Roadmap Toward Chess GM, Starting at a Rating of 428
I look at title requirements, distinguish Chess.com from FIDE ratings, and map out gradual goals for my own grandmaster challenge.
My Chess Isn't Improving, but My Duolingo Streak Keeps Going
I've kept a 286-day Duolingo streak even while avoiding chess games. An honest look at consistency that hasn't yet translated into stronger play.
How Far Can I Get If I Seriously Aim to Become a Chess Grandmaster?
Starting with a Chess.com Rapid rating of 465, I'm launching a challenge to work toward GM, with milestones and honest monthly progress reports.
My Personal Top 10 Nana Mizuki Songs After 16 Years as a Fan
An entirely subjective ranking of my favorite Nana Mizuki songs, with the memories and performances that make them special to me.
I Earned Japan's Free Level 3 End-of-Life Planning Guide Qualification
Thinking about my parents' future led me to an introductory shukatsu qualification. Here's what I learned, how the exam felt, and where it fell short.
I Rebuilt My Claude Code Editorial Team—and Started Writing the Articles Myself
Why I changed my AI-assisted blogging process, removed the ghostwriting role, and separated editorial feedback from proofreading.
Finding New Artists on Spotify by Following Similar Songs
How I broke out of listening to the same favorites, explored Spotify's similar-music suggestions, and found five artists I wanted to hear more of.
Building an MTG Deck Around a Concept: My Izzet Drakes Example
Starting with Enigma Drake and Guttersnipe, I explain how I chose cards around an idea, what went wrong against fast decks, and what I'd like to change.
Social Media Wore Me Out, So I Deleted My Accounts—and Felt Lighter
Seeing other people's polished lives left me exhausted. Here's how leaving X, Instagram, and TikTok felt, and what I want to do with the time I regained.