The journey so far
“We have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do”
A Developer's Journey from Idea to Product
When I first conceived Suprasync (or Super Variables, as it was originally called) in the fall of 2023, I imagined an ambitious Confluence app packed with advanced features that would transform how teams manage content. But as many product builders know, the path from idea to execution is rarely straightforward — and often, the original concept develops into something else entirely along the way. That happened to me as well.
What began as a dream of a highly feature-rich tool slowly morphed into something leaner and more focused. Suprasync, as it exists today, is a stepping stone for future growth — but also a valuable, fully-formed solution that stands on its own. This is the story of how I got there.
“Every journey starts with the first step”
Starting with Ambition, Ending with Clarity
Like so many solo developers do, I started with big plans. I wanted Suprasync to solve a wide range of problems right out of the gate — think of robust integrations, advanced variable handling and seamless syncing across multiple spaces. However, I quickly realized that all those features would take far too long to make and also, that the foundational blocks needed for these complex features would be useful in themselves. So why not start by perfecting those?
By narrowing the scope, I could deliver value sooner and more reliably. This mindset shift helped me focus on what mattered: providing a rock-solid foundation for single-source-of-truth management in Confluence.
The Long Haul: Slow and Steady Progress
Bringing Suprasync to life has been a long journey, but I managed to keep slow and steady progress. I don’t want to sugarcoat it — there were plenty of roadblocks and dead ends along the way. I often found myself stuck on details, tangled in edge cases, or chasing down some pesky bugs. Some complex features must have taken probably 30 or 40 iterations to get right.
But through it all, I was determined to keep going. Persistence, paired with a solid support network of friends and some fellow developers, made all the difference. Every feature I eventually nailed felt like a small victory and those kept me going.
A Systematic Approach to Development
One of the guiding principles throughout Suprasync’s development was the workflow. I chose to follow a consistent cycle: develop → test → refactor (or remove). If something didn’t feel right to me, I’d take a step back and redo it properly, even if it meant that would take extra time.
This approach for sure wasn’t the fastest (at least initially), but it helped me to maintain quality. I wanted Suprasync to be reliable and maintainable - something I could proudly stand behind for years to come. Also, since I would be the one maintaining the app, it was a no-brainer to stay motivated in writing good-quality code and documentation. As technology, tools, and dependencies evolved during the process, I feel like this discipline paid off. Once a module was built right, I could confidently move on to the next one and not have to worry about technical debt.
Estimating the Unknown
Throughout my career, I have taken part in many overly optimistic projects, so I wanted to be extra careful not to underestimate workloads. But even with quite conservative timelines, Suprasync eventually took longer than I expected. That old saying — “The first 90% of the work takes 90% of the time, and the last 90% takes the other 90%” — rang very true. Every “almost done” moment had a few unexpected twists waiting around the corner.
In hindsight, the extra time was useful or even necessary. Rushing might have compromised the product. I wanted to build something that could genuinely stand the test of time — even if it meant stretching the calendar a bit further than planned. Being my own boss and being able to set my own priorities, helped tremendously.
A Product I’m Proud Of
Now that Suprasync is out in the world, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve built. I feel like it’s lean, robust, and hopefully solves a real problem that many Confluence users face — managing reusable content consistently and effectively.
I’m excited (ok and slightly nervous) to see what the reaction is going to be. There’s something humbling about releasing a product after months of solitary effort. But that’s the joy of building software: taking an idea that once lived only in my head, and turning it into something others can benefit from.
What I’ve Learned
If you’re a solo developer or founder working on your tool or app, here are a few takeaways from my journey:
Start small, but think long-term. The simpler version of your product might be more valuable than the grand vision. And at least it gets you off the ground a heck of lot faster.
Build in layers. Develop, test, refactor — don’t rush to add features until the foundation is solid. This strategy will pay off eventually.
Expect delays, but stay focused. Progress may be slow, but persistence adds up. There is always a finite amount of problems to solve.
Lean on your network. Supportive friends or colleagues can make the hard parts easier to manage. Everybody has bad days, but a couple of supportive words can go a long way.
Celebrate the finish line. Even if it took longer than planned, launching something you believe in is worth it. Once it’s done, nobody can take that away from you.
Looking Ahead
Suprasync is just getting started. There’s still plenty I want to add, refine, and improve. But for now, I’m proud of where it stands — not just as a product, but as a testament to what’s possible with focus, patience, and a little bit of stubbornness ;)
Thank you all for following along. If you're curious and want to try Suprasync, you can check it out on the Atlassian Marketplace.
PS. Many thanks to my dear friends for their unwavering support. You’re the best!
