TimixGPT: How Custom GPT Took My Timer App to the Next Level
When I first built Timix, my primary goal was to create the most flexible, customizable timer experience on iOS. Features like multiple parallel timers and diverse triggers—ranging from vibrations and flashing screens to spoken messages—were central to Timix’s appeal. Yet, as I explored ways to enhance customization, I stumbled upon a captivating idea: what if timers could be effortlessly crafted using natural language?
At first glance, the obvious route was integrating an AI-powered solution directly into the app. However, I was hesitant to add external dependencies, as they often complicate maintenance and can introduce unnecessary overhead. This hesitation sparked the idea of TimixGPT—a custom GPT tailored specifically for Timix users.
Instead of tightly integrating third-party services, I decided to leverage a simpler yet powerful approach: exporting Timix’s templates as structured JSON files. These files clearly define how timers and their triggers work, making them understandable not only to developers but, importantly, to GPT itself. With this structure in place, GPT can effortlessly generate timers from user requests expressed in plain English, significantly enhancing user experience without imposing external dependency complexities.
Implementing TimixGPT not only streamlined timer creation—especially valuable for users frequently using spoken text triggers—but also preserved Timix’s independence from external libraries. It’s been fascinating to see users intuitively creating sophisticated timers using natural language, unlocking a new level of interactivity and personalization within the app.
This experience underscored a critical lesson: innovation often thrives on simplicity. By keeping the design straightforward, TimixGPT provided enhanced functionality without compromising maintainability. It’s a reminder of the elegance and power inherent in thoughtful, minimalistic solutions.
I’m excited to continue refining TimixGPT, exploring even deeper integration possibilities, and enhancing the overall user experience. Stay tuned!
There’s also a Timix library of human crafted ideas: Timix Template Library
