A few weeks ago, a family friend reached out, buzzing with excitement about the latest AI developments. He wanted to build an app for his industry and asked for advice on how to get started. Then, I stumbled across a podcast snippet from OpenAI’s head of product discussing Agentic Developer AIs—AI agents that can autonomously build software. This prompted me to dive into Replit, a platform I’ve followed for a while (full disclosure: I’m now an investor in Replit). I knew they’d released an agentic development agent, so I decided to give it a spin.
For years I’ve struggled to find a GTD app that fits my workflow, so I thought I’d give it a go.
Here’s how I went from a vague idea to a fully functional GTD app in just a couple of hours—and why this experience has me convinced that AI-powered development is a game-changer.
Why I Needed a Custom GTD App
I’ve tried countless GTD apps over the years, but none have ever quite fit my approach to productivity. Unlike traditional task-list enthusiasts, I don’t work from a linear to-do list. Instead, I maintain high-level plans across multiple personal and professional initiatives, focusing on the next action for each. I wanted an app that could surface these next actions as the primary trigger for my work, keeping my focus on what matters most without drowning me in endless tasks.
Frustrated by off-the-shelf solutions, I decided it was time to build my own.
Enter Replit’s AI Agent
Replit is a web-based platform https://replit.com/ that eliminates the hassle of setting up development environments or downloading IDEs. It starts with a simple chat interface and builds a tailored coding environment as you go. I signed up, eager to see if their AI agent could bring my GTD app to life.
I began by typing a brief description of the app I envisioned: a GTD tool centered on high-level initiatives with a focus on next actions. The agent paused to process my request, then surprised me by suggesting a few additional features it thought I might have overlooked. I reviewed its suggestions, checked the ones that made sense, and hit “go.” Within five minutes, I had the bare bones of my app up and running.
Iterating with Ease
Working with Replit’s agent was like collaborating with a patient, tireless developer. I could easily request changes and improvements to refine the app. Want to tweak the interface? Done. Need to adjust how next actions are prioritized? No problem. The agent handled my requests smoothly, making the process feel intuitive and collaborative.
My free trial allowed about five iterations before prompting me to either switch to an assistant-only mode or upgrade to a paid plan ($25 USD per month). By this point, my app was shaping up so well that I didn’t hesitate to upgrade.
A Few Hiccups, But Worth It
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were moments when the agent introduced errors, and a couple of iterations even felt like steps backward. But debugging with the agent was a breeze—it patiently explained what it was doing and worked through the issues alongside me. This transparency made the process feel less like wrestling with code and more like a partnership.
One small suggestion for Replit: give the agent a name! Referring to it as “the agent” feels oddly impersonal, especially when it’s such a helpful companion.
From Idea to MVP in Hours
After just a couple of hours, I had a minimum viable product (MVP) that did exactly what I wanted. I deployed the app with a few clicks, and just like that, I had a custom GTD tool tailored to my workflow. Is the code pristine? Honestly, I have no idea—and I don’t really care. What matters is that it works, and it works for me.
Why This Is a Game-Changer
This experience has fundamentally changed how I think about app development. For a modest investment of time and money, I now have access to an AI-powered “developer” that can build whatever I need. No coding expertise required, no endless tutorials—just a clear idea and a willingness to iterate.
For anyone like my family friend, dreaming of building an app but unsure where to start, tools like Replit’s AI agent are lowering the barrier to entry. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a small business owner, or just someone with a niche problem to solve, AI-driven development makes it possible to turn ideas into reality faster than ever.
What’s Next?
I’m thrilled with my new GTD app and already brainstorming other tools I could build with Replit. This experience has me excited about the future of AI in software development—and I can’t wait to see how these tools evolve.
I deployed my app to the Replit cloud, so if you feel like creating and account logging in and having a play, be my guest, although it works okay on mobile web, it’s best to use the web version.
You can reach the app at https://realvelona-gtd.replit.app/
Disclaimer:This app is just a prototype, I may continue to develop it for myself, please don’t scream at me if it changes without warning or disappears one day, use at your own risk.
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