Build Journal

Accessibility Widget & Brand Update for #SPACE — August 20, 2026

I launched a new accessibility widget and updated the #SPACE branding. Discover the challenges and triumphs of my 16-hour build day.

4 changes3 min readby Rob

What shipped

  • New Transparent Logo
  • Accessibility Widget Launched
  • Navbar Improvements
  • Tbot Enhancements

Today, I set out to enhance the user experience on the #SPACE platform by launching a new accessibility widget and refreshing the brand identity. In total, I committed four features, all aimed at making the platform more user-friendly and visually appealing. After a long 16-hour day, I emerged with a transparent logo, a revamped navbar, and a powerful accessibility tool that I believe will drastically improve usability for all users.

The first major change was the introduction of a transparent white logo for #SPACE. I replaced the old black logo across the navbar, footer, and proposals with a sleek, transparent version. This was a straightforward task, as it involved un-compositing the black background from the existing artwork. However, it did require a meticulous eye to ensure the new logo retained the same visual impact as its predecessor. I’m proud of the result — it feels modern and aligns with the overall aesthetic I want for #SPACE.

Next, I moved on to accessibility improvements. I refactored the accessibility trigger, relocating it into the navbar button cluster. The trigger now sits alongside the theme and menu buttons, which not only streamlines the navigation but also makes it more intuitive for users to find. This change involved some tweaking to ensure the design remained cohesive, including applying the same apple-nav-icon treatment. The new dropdown panel, which appears below the navbar, is a significant improvement in terms of usability, as it provides quick access to the accessibility features without cluttering the interface.

The highlight of my day was the launch of the site-wide accessibility widget. This feature includes a left-edge tab that opens a panel with four different profiles aimed at improving user experience: one for reading focus with a pointer-following ruler, another for calm motion, and two more for keyboard-first navigation. Additionally, I incorporated stepped text controls that allow users to adjust size, line height, spacing, and alignment. Building this widget took considerable time, especially during the testing phase, where I wanted to ensure that it was fully functional for users with different needs. The feedback I received during testing was overwhelmingly positive, and I believe this will set #SPACE apart as a platform that truly values accessibility.

Finally, I addressed some technical enhancements related to the tbot. I implemented a mark-sanity clamp to prevent sticky decimals from resulting in inflated valuations. This was crucial, as I had previously encountered an issue where a $74 book was valued at $26,392 due to broken quotes. To mitigate this risk, I introduced a feature that caps every open position's mark at 10 times its open cost, which should keep things in check and prevent any wild discrepancies. This was a deep-dive into the tbot’s logic, and while it took longer than anticipated, I’m relieved to have it sorted out.

Reflecting on today, I realize how much work goes into each feature, especially when building solo. Every commit is a small battle, and while I’m grateful for the AI support I have through Claude Code in VS Code, there are moments where I wish I had a team to bounce ideas off of. The ambition to build a billion-dollar company as a one-man-show is daunting, but days like today remind me that progress is possible, one feature at a time.

As I wrap up this entry, I’m already thinking about the next steps. I want to continue improving the accessibility of #SPACE and explore more branding opportunities. There’s always room for growth, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next. Building in public means sharing both the victories and the challenges, and I hope this blog serves as a resource for other solo builders out there navigating similar paths.

← Back to the full build journal