DesktopBuddy 12-Hour Challenge Docs

Update 1 30 min

Initialized Electron project, configured main process, and built a minimal floating bar UI with draggable support.

// main.js snippet
const { app, BrowserWindow } = require('electron');
app.whenReady().then(() => {
  const win = new BrowserWindow({
    width: 400,
    height: 60,
    frame: false,
    alwaysOnTop: true,
    transparent: true,
    webPreferences: { nodeIntegration: true }
  });
  win.loadFile('index.html');
});

Update 2 (1 hour)

Added TailwindCSS, improved bar orientation logic, started live docs.

Update 3 (1 hour 45 minutes)

Refactored code, improved layout for vertical bars, added DesktopBuddy logo to Windows Tray.

Update 4 (3 hour 20 minutes)

Added colorful background tiles, improved hedgehog animation, and temporarily disabled move button for simplicity, will definitely add it back later.

Update 5 (3 hour 50 minutes)

Cleaned up code, got a fully functional super basic version bar version, currently working on adding all the Buddy features. The current ones planned are:

Pomodoro Timer
Window management / trying to get you off distractions (Instagram / Tiktok / etc)
Customizable settings (through windows tray)
Buddy interactions

Update 6 (6 hours )

Major Settings Overhaul: Completely redesigned the settings window with a modern, draggable interface and real-time preview functionality.

Added professional macOS-style custom window
Created real-time title shortening & preview
Added proper draggable functionality
Fixed settings persistence across app restarts

Code Refactoring: Completely restructured main.js for better maintainability and readability:

Modularized functionality into logical sections
Added error handling and safety checks
Improved function naming and documentation


      // Before: Monolithic structure

      // After: Modular organization with clear separation

      // Window Management
      function createMainWindow() { ... }
      function openSettingsWindow() { ... }

      // Tray Management  
      function setupTray() { ... }
      function createTrayContextMenu() { ... }

      // IPC Handlers
      function setupIpcHandlers() { ... }
      function handleSettingsChanged() { ... }

      // Bar Positioning
      function moveBar() { ... }
      function getNextPosition() { ... }

Next: Adding Pomodoro timer functionality and distraction blocking features

Update 7 (8 hours)

Major Milestone: DesktopBuddy is now fully usable as a standalone Windows app!

✅ Pomodoro Timer implemented with start/stop cycles and tray notifications
✅ All settings + controls are in tray menu for a minimal, distraction-free bar
✅ Packaged as a portable .exe, no installer needed, just download and run

To try it out:

Download the latest .exe from GitHub
Run DesktopBuddy-Standalone.exe
Find all controls in the Windows tray menu

⬇ Download DesktopBuddy (.exe)

DesktopBuddy: 12-Hour Build Challenge

Live Progress

Updates & Progress Logs