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Essay··9 min read

2025 Year-End Review

1,400+ commits, 6 products, and the workflow that made it possible

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║  GENERATED: 2025-12-29T12:00:00Z  │  STATUS: COMPLETE  │  BY: CLAUDE + EDDIE ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Executive Summary

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC: 2025 ANNUAL REVIEW                                       │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                              │
│  TOTAL COMMITS         ████████████████████████████████████  1,400+         │
│  PRODUCTS SHIPPED      ████████████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░  6              │
│  TESTS WRITTEN         ████████████████████████████████████  2,600+         │
│  LIVE DEPLOYMENTS      ████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░  3              │
│  SECURITY GRADE        ████████████████████████████████████  A+             │
│                                                                              │
│  ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────  │
│  VERDICT: Breakthrough year. Ecosystem built. Process codified.              │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

2025 was a breakthrough year. We went from building isolated projects to creating an integrated ecosystem—complete with sophisticated tooling, repeatable processes, and production-grade products.

The numbers tell the story: 1,400+ commits, 6 major products, 2,600+ tests, and an A+ security grade on our flagship product.

But the real achievement wasn't the code—it was the workflow. We built a system for turning ideas into production software, and that system is now repeatable.


The Products

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  PRODUCT REGISTRY                                                            │
├────────────────────┬─────────┬─────────────────────┬────────────────────────┤
│  NAME              │ COMMITS │ VERSION             │ STATUS                 │
├────────────────────┼─────────┼─────────────────────┼────────────────────────┤
│  ID8Composer       │   594   │ v0.12.0             │ ● PRODUCTION           │
│  DeepStack         │   353   │ v2.5.0              │ ● PRODUCTION           │
│  Pause             │    34   │ v0.x                │ ○ DEVELOPMENT          │
│  MILO              │    27   │ v1.0                │ ● FUNCTIONAL           │
│  X-Place           │    --   │ v1.0                │ ● FUNCTIONAL           │
│  LLC Ops           │    --   │ v1.0                │ ● OPERATIONAL          │
├────────────────────┴─────────┴─────────────────────┴────────────────────────┤
│  TOTAL: 6 products  │  1,000+ commits tracked  │  3 in production          │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

ID8Composer — The Foundation

id8composer.app | 594 commits | Production v0.12.0

This was the first big build—and where the real growth happened. An AI-powered episodic TV production platform:

  • -Dual-panel editor (Canvas for final output, Sandbox for AI collaboration)
  • -Knowledge Base system with scope hierarchy (Global/Regional/Local)
  • -AI writing assistant with full KB awareness
  • -2,434+ unit tests, 162 visual regression tests, 12 E2E flows
  • -Security Grade A+ with CSP nonces and full RLS coverage
  • -98%+ test coverage

Peak Activity: October 2025 (419 commits in one month)

This is where we learned production-grade security, comprehensive testing, performance optimization, and real CI/CD pipelines. Everything that came after built on this foundation.


DeepStack Trading Platform

deepstack.trade | 353 commits | Production v2.5.0

AI-powered trading research platform:

  • -Claude-powered analysis with 30+ market research tools
  • -TradingView-style professional charts
  • -Thesis Engine for hypothesis tracking
  • -Emotional Firewall (cognitive state detection that blocks revenge trades)
  • -Prediction markets integration (Kalshi, Polymarket)
  • -Paper trading and options suite

Peak Activity: December 2025 (302 commits)


MILO — Life's Plan Mode

27 commits | Electron + MCP | December build

Signal-based task management designed for deep work:

  • -Top 5 "Signal Queue" surfacing only what matters now
  • -AI plan import (paste markdown → structured tasks)
  • -MCP server for Claude Code integration
  • -CRT retro aesthetic
  • -152+ tests

Pause — Relationship Translation

justpause.partners | 34 commits | In Development

Voice-first translation for emotionally-charged conversations:

  • -NVC (Nonviolent Communication) framework
  • -Gottman's Four Horsemen filtering
  • -Safety detection system (abuse, crisis, child safety)
  • -Voice input via Deepgram

X-Place

Real-time collaborative pixel canvas:

  • -WebSocket server on Railway
  • -Faction warfare with hashtag teams
  • -500x500 canvas with Redis state

LLC Ops

9-agent expert system for running ID8Labs:

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  AGENT ROSTER                                              │
├──────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Sentinel    │  Compliance tracking - 90-day radar         │
│  Strategist  │  Tax optimization - S-Corp analysis         │
│  Ledger      │  Accounting - expense categorization        │
│  Guardian    │  Risk management - asset protection         │
│  Mentor      │  Teaching - explaining the "why"            │
│  Filer       │  Procedures - form filing expert            │
│  Advisor     │  Legal/Tax counsel - consultation           │
│  Comptroller │  CFO-level financial oversight              │
│  Monitor     │  Regulatory tracking - scanning changes     │
└──────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Timeline

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  COMMIT ACTIVITY: 2025                                                       │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                              │
│  Oct │▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓│ 419  ← ID8Composer sprint │
│      │                                                                       │
│  Nov │▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░│ 225  ← Composer + DeepStack│
│      │                                                                       │
│  Dec │▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░░░│ 400+ ← Everything          │
│      │                                                                       │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  TOTAL: ~1,400 commits  │  PEAK: October (419)  │  AVG: ~120/month          │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

October was the hyperfocus month. 419 commits on ID8Composer—building the foundation that everything else would stand on. November split focus between wrapping Composer and accelerating DeepStack. December was the ecosystem build: DeepStack v2.5, MILO, Pause, LLC Ops, and the ID8Labs website itself.


The Workflow Evolution

This is where the real transformation happened.

ID8Pipeline (12 Stages)

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  ID8PIPELINE v1.0                                                            │
├───────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│   0   │  DISCOVERY        │ Understand client (external projects)            │
│   1   │  CONCEPT LOCK     │ One-liner defined                                │
│   2   │  SCOPE FENCE      │ V1 boundaries explicit                           │
│   3   │  ARCHITECTURE     │ Stack and data flow clear                        │
│   4   │  FOUNDATION       │ Scaffolding deployed                             │
│   5   │  FEATURE BLOCKS   │ Vertical slices complete                         │
│   6   │  INTEGRATION      │ All pieces connected                             │
│   7   │  TEST COVERAGE    │ Pyramid complete                                 │
│   8   │  POLISH           │ Edge cases covered                               │
│   9   │  LAUNCH PREP      │ Docs and onboarding ready                        │
│  10   │  SHIP             │ Production live                                  │
│  11   │  ITERATE          │ Feedback loop active                             │
├───────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ENFORCEMENT: Hard stops at each gate. No code until Stage 4.                │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Agentic Patterns Codified

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  THINKING PATTERNS                                                           │
├───────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  1. REFLECTION    │  Self-critique for significant code (50+ lines)          │
│  2. PEV           │  Plan-Execute-Verify before commits                      │
│  3. METACOGNITIVE │  Confidence signaling (high/medium/low/unknown)          │
│  4. TREE OF       │  Multiple approaches for complex problems                │
│     THOUGHTS      │                                                          │
│  5. ENSEMBLE      │  Multi-perspective analysis (builder/quality/user/maint) │
└───────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Claude Code Mastery

  • -17+ custom skills in ~/.claude/skills/
  • -9 LLC Ops agents with specialized expertise
  • -Auto-approve categories for deep work sessions
  • -MCP integrations across all products
  • -Git-synced settings for reproducibility

What Worked

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  SUCCESS FACTORS                                                             │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                              │
│  ✓ ID8Pipeline          Structure prevented scope creep                      │
│  ✓ Testing discipline   2,600+ tests enabled confident shipping              │
│  ✓ Security-first       A+ grade on flagship product                         │
│  ✓ Tool investment      Claude settings paid velocity dividends              │
│  ✓ Vertical slices      Complete features over horizontal sprawl             │
│  ✓ Eating own cooking   LLC Ops + MILO used to run the business              │
│                                                                              │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Growth Areas

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT                                                       │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                              │
│  ○ Revenue              Products built, monetization paths unclear           │
│  ○ User acquisition     DeepStack live but growth strategy?                  │
│  ○ Earlier consistency  Q4 surge suggests process wasn't dialed until late   │
│  ○ Shipping cadence     Pause still in development                           │
│                                                                              │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

2026 Goals

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║  2026 OBJECTIVES                                                             ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║                                                                              ║
║  ─── REVENUE & BUSINESS ────────────────────────────────────────────────     ║
║                                                                              ║
║  [ ] ID8Composer monetization          Target: $1K MRR by Q2                 ║
║  [ ] DeepStack revenue                 Target: $500 MRR by Q2                ║
║  [ ] Client work pipeline              Target: $10K revenue in 2026          ║
║                                                                              ║
║  ─── PRODUCT LAUNCHES ──────────────────────────────────────────────────     ║
║                                                                              ║
║  [ ] Ship Pause V1                     Target: Q1 2026                       ║
║  [ ] MILO public release               Target: Q1 2026                       ║
║  [ ] ID8Composer v1.0                  Target: Q2 2026                       ║
║                                                                              ║
║  ─── TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE ──────────────────────────────────────────────     ║
║                                                                              ║
║  [ ] 80%+ test coverage standard       Target: All new features              ║
║  [ ] MCP ecosystem integration         Target: Q2 2026                       ║
║                                                                              ║
║  ─── GROWTH & VISIBILITY ───────────────────────────────────────────────     ║
║                                                                              ║
║  [ ] Content engine operational        Target: Q1 cadence                    ║
║  [ ] ID8Labs brand presence            Target: Ongoing                       ║
║                                                                              ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Priority Stack

┌──────┬────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ RANK │ GOAL                       │ RATIONALE                                │
├──────┼────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  1   │ Ship Pause V1              │ Biggest unlocked potential               │
│  2   │ ID8Composer monetization   │ Most mature product                      │
│  3   │ MILO public release        │ Low-hanging fruit, demonstrates ability  │
│  4   │ Content cadence            │ Compound growth opportunity              │
│  5   │ DeepStack revenue          │ Convert existing traction                │
│  6   │ Client work                │ Revenue diversification                  │
└──────┴────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────┘

Quarterly Milestones

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Q1 2026                                                                     │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  [ ] Pause V1 shipped                                                        │
│  [ ] MILO public release                                                     │
│  [ ] Content cadence established                                             │
│  [ ] Revenue tracking in place                                               │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Q2 2026                                                                     │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  [ ] ID8Composer v1.0 + pricing                                              │
│  [ ] DeepStack monetization                                                  │
│  [ ] $1.5K combined MRR                                                      │
│  [ ] 1 client project complete                                               │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Q3 2026                                                                     │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  [ ] $3K MRR target                                                          │
│  [ ] 2nd client project                                                      │
│  [ ] MCP ecosystem connected                                                 │
│  [ ] Evaluate: what's working?                                               │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Q4 2026                                                                     │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  [ ] $5K MRR target                                                          │
│  [ ] Year-end review                                                         │
│  [ ] 2027 planning                                                           │
│  [ ] Celebrate wins                                                          │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

The One-Liner for 2026

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║                                                                              ║
║  "Ship what's built. Monetize what's shipped. Build only what moves          ║
║   the needle."                                                               ║
║                                                                              ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  END OF REPORT                                                               │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  GENERATED: 2025-12-29  │  AUTHOR: Claude + Eddie  │  STATUS: COMPLETE       │
│                                                                              │
│  Next review: 2026-12-29                                                     │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘