ZERO LOG

I just launched ZEROLOG v2 — a fully offline, minimal journaling app — and wanted to share the journey behind it.

For years I struggled with journaling apps that required accounts, cloud sync, analytics, or “life optimization” features I didn’t want. I just needed a quiet place to write. So I built ZEROLOG: 100% local, no accounts, no servers, no tracking.

Today, ZEROLOG v2 is a major update:

- Now free for all users

- PRO Lifetime Unlock (one-time purchase)

- Thoughts: fast, tag-based notes

- Monthly PRO: simple monthly reports

- Fully redesigned minimal UI

- Stronger offline-first architecture

The hardest part of this update was keeping the app offline-first while adding more features. No backend. No user accounts. Everything had to work locally, fast, and reliably. I learned a lot about designing apps that respect user privacy and avoid unnecessary complexity.

If you’re building an offline-first product, a minimal app, or transitioning from paid to freemium, I’d love to share what worked (and what didn’t). And if you try ZEROLOG, I’d love to hear your feedback.

Product Hunt launch:

https://www.producthunt.com/posts/zerolog-v2

I’m not an engineer.
I’m a contract worker in Japan.

Every few months, I have to decide whether to continue my job or walk away.

At some point, I started thinking:
“Is this really how I want to live?”

That’s when I began exploring ways to make money on the side.

My first step was using AI.

At the time, my job involved working with CSV data in Excel—calculating values, building databases, and creating dashboards for internal reports.

The work was repetitive. Copying formulas over and over again.

So I asked AI:
“Is there a better way to do this?”

The answer was VBA.

With that, a task that used to take over an hour was reduced to just 15 minutes—including printing.

I suddenly had more free time.
So I started learning more about AI.

Eventually, I created a set of VBA prompts designed to avoid errors and decided to sell them on note.

I thought: “This might actually work.”

But at the same time, AI itself was rapidly improving.

Soon, anyone could generate working code just by having a few back-and-forth conversations.

My prompts were no longer necessary.

That project ended.

Next, I tried YouTube Shorts.

I created videos about historical figures using psychology-based storytelling.

Using AI, I generated:

• Images

• Voice narration

• Scripts

The videos reached around 1,500 views.

Not bad for a first attempt.

But as a side business, it was too demanding.

I stopped.

Then I tried LINE stickers.

That didn’t work either.

It requires a “quantity over quality” mindset, and that’s just not who I am.

I made one set—and that was it.

Eventually, I arrived at app development.

The idea came from a simple realization.

I saw a video about tracking your daily actions—writing down what you did each day to reflect and improve how you spend your time.

I thought it made sense.

So I decided to try it.

But then I noticed something.

“When I want to write something down immediately… do I even have a notebook nearby?”

No.

But I always have my phone.

So I thought:

“Why not just make an app?”

That’s how this project started.

With almost no prior research.

And yes—I was worried.

I’m not an engineer.

But I knew about AI agents.

So I used Google’s Antigravity to build it.

The first version was called “Zen Journal.”

It had a Japanese-inspired design—minimal, calm, and simple.

I was satisfied with it.

Until I tried to publish it.

There was already an app with the same name.

A complete lack of research on my part.

So I started over.

Not just the name—but the entire concept.

And that’s how I built:

ZERO LOG

The idea is simple:

• No unnecessary features

• No ads (one-time purchase)

• No cloud (100% local storage)

• No photos (this is not a diary)

• One-tap logging with presets

It’s designed for people who can’t keep habits.

I made mistakes.

I took detours.

But everything led to this.

If you’ve ever struggled to keep track of your time…

Maybe this app is for you.

Most productivity apps have the same problem.

They want your data. They send notifications. They add features until you stop using them.

I wanted something different — an app that records your day without asking too much. So I built ZERO LOG.

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What it does:

- Notes, tasks, and daily logging in one place

- Recurring tasks logged with one tap

- Your day recorded without typing

- 100% offline. No cloud. No ads. No tracking.

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After launch:

- 2 people paid

- then everything stopped

No traffic. No feedback. No growth.

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I'm trying to understand what's wrong:

- Is the positioning unclear? (log app vs task manager vs notes)

- Is the value hard to see before trying it?

- Or is it just lack of distribution?

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Stack: TypeScript / React / Capacitor

Privacy: No ads. No tracking. No cloud sync.

Pricing: One-time purchase ($1.99)

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I built this for people who want to keep track of life without the friction of writing everything down.

What would stop you from trying it?

I always felt busy, but at the end of the day I couldn’t explain what I actually did.

I tried task apps, habit trackers, even journaling.

Nothing really stuck.

So I built something for myself.

ZERO LOG is a simple app where you just tap what you’re doing throughout the day.

No complex setup, no clutter.

Just:

- log your time

- track simple habits

- see your day clearly

Everything is fully local.

No ads. No data collection.

Right now, I’m running a closed test before release.

One thing I learned from my first test:

installing isn’t enough — I need people who actually use it, even for a few seconds.

So if anyone is interested in trying it and giving feedback, I’d really appreciate it.

(Testers can use it for free after setup)

Thanks 🙏