Random Daily Urls vs SkillForge

Random Daily Urls is an innovative daily newsletter crafted by Steven Irby, aimed at uncovering the hidden gems of the internet. Unlike typical newsletters that bombard you with productivity hacks or marketing strategies, this unique offering delivers one meticulously curated URL each weekday. Subscribers receive a delightful surprise in their inboxes, showcasing content that ranges from the weird and wonderful to the obscure and overlooked. It is an invitation to relish the charm of the web as it once was, emphasizing personal sites, experimental projects, and intriguing mainstream content that often goes unnoticed. This newsletter is perfect for those who seek inspiration, enjoy exploring unconventional web content, and appreciate the artistry involved in web creation. With a human touch and no AI interference, every link serves as a journey into the lesser-known corners of the digital landscape, encouraging subscribers to think critically and explore freely without the noise of conventional online content.

I built SkillForge because I kept running into the same problem — I'd practice audio production or graphic design for a few days, then completely lose the habit with zero record of my progress. Every productivity app I tried was either too generic or made for corporate project management, not for creatives who just want to get better at their craft.

The core idea was simple: what if practicing your skill felt like levelling up in a game?

So I built a skill tracker where every minute you practice earns real XP, builds streaks, and unlocks badges. The more you show up, the more you level up — from Level 1 to Level 10 across any creative discipline you choose (audio, design, dev, video, photography, and more).

What surprised me most during development was how much the AI Coach feature resonated with early testers. Instead of just logging time, the AI analyzes your session history and tells you exactly what to work on next — it noticed patterns in people's practice that they hadn't noticed themselves.

A few things I'm proud of:
🔥 Streak system that actually keeps you accountable
🤖 GPT-4o-mini powered coaching that builds you a personalised 7-day plan
📶 Fully offline-first — your sessions save locally and sync when you reconnect
👥 A community feed so you're not grinding alone

This started as a personal tool and grew into something I genuinely use every day. I'd love to hear what you think — especially from fellow creatives.