Feb 24, 2025 – Mar 16, 2025
Welcome back to my blog on developing the Jigger app. This update is a bit shorter than usual since I’m deep into refactoring the code. However, I wanted to share some important progress updates and, as always, the latest app stats.
Architectural overhaul
In the first version of the app, I used Firebase. Due to its limited filtering capabilities, I fetched remote data into a local SQLite database and queried it there—a solution that even provided offline support.
For the second version, I switched to Supabase, which offers a robust SQL database with proper filtering and querying. For some reason, I decided to retain a local SQL database and synchronize it with the remote database on every load. This approach worked until I needed to add new features or modify existing ones. Suddenly, I found myself writing migrations for the local database, tracking the app version on the backend, and ensuring the correct data format—all of which added unnecessary complexity and slowed me down.
That’s why I’ve now decided to remove the local database altogether and rely solely on remote data. While this change comes with its own set of pros and cons, I believe it will allow me to ship features faster, which is my top priority right now.
This shift is a major change that affects all the internal logic for fetching data, but I’m almost finished. I’m hopeful that by the end of this month, a shiny new version will be released 🤞.
In addition to the frontend refactoring, I’m also polishing the code for my Edge function. Most of it was initially generated by AI—effective, but in need of improvements for better reusability and readability.
This blog is documenting my journey as an indie developer, building Jigger—a mobile app for cocktail enthusiasts.
Turning an idea into a polished, well-designed product that people love is challenging.
That’s why I’m sharing my experiences, lessons, and insights as I navigate app development—covering everything from coding and UX decisions to product strategy and indie hacking.
Each post breaks down the technical and creative processes behind building Jigger, offering practical takeaways for fellow indie developers and makers.
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Statistics
Currently, the download rate is pretty much flat. I need to work on App Store Optimization (ASO) to boost conversions; on Android, the conversion rate is 19.93%, but on iOS, it’s only 4.8%. My plan is to either invest in an Appfigures premium subscription or try Astro, which is a more affordable option, albeit focused solely on iOS.
Since I’ve been busy refactoring the app, I haven’t introduced any new features for the past month—something that I believe has also impacted the download rate. Plus, I took a one-week vacation and stepped back from both development and promotion. While that might seem counterintuitive for an indie developer, I needed the break. Now, I’m recharged and more determined than ever to make this app even better.
Recommendations
Supabase — is an open-source backend-as-a-service (BaaS) that provides a Postgres database, authentication, file storage, and edge functions, all with a developer-friendly API. It’s great for indie devs because it eliminates the need for backend development, allowing them to focus on building their app while still having full database control. Plus, its generous free tier and easy integration with front-end frameworks make it an affordable and scalable choice for solo developers.
Cursor AI Code Editor— unfortunately, I no longer have access to the service, but I highly recommend that you consider using it. Since losing my access, I have come to appreciate how much more efficient coding becomes with Cursor, thanks to its excellent support for asking questions and discussing improvements. I firmly believe that it justifies the $20 per month investment, as neither Copilot nor Cline offers a comparable experience.
Stay tuned for more updates, and thanks for following along on this journey!