Build Journal
GIGI Enhancements & Scanner Fixes for Agentic Web — April 26, 2026
I shipped GIGI enhancements and scanner fixes for the agentic web, improving user experience and functionality on April 26, 2026.
What shipped
- GIGI Dock Toggle — Added a toggle to dock or float GIGI on the map page.
- Scanner Improvements — Resolved layout issues and improved user feedback for My Portals.
- Portal Gallery Enhancements — Implemented dual-category portals for better navigation.
- SEO Updates — Generated new light-mode illustrations and fixed theme rendering.
- 404 Redirect Fix — Fixed redirect issues for /learn and /glossary routes.
Today, I set out to enhance the GIGI AI concierge experience and resolve issues with the scanner functionality, aiming to elevate user interaction on the agentic web. By the end of a long 8-hour day, I shipped 32 commits, including 23 features and improvements, alongside 9 crucial fixes.
One of the standout features I implemented was the 'Dock GIGI' toggle on the map page, which allows users to easily switch between docked and floating states for GIGI. This not only enhances the visual appeal of the homepage but also makes the GIGI experience more intuitive. I also improved the overall layout of the homepage by centering the 'Locate me' button directly under the #SPACE logo, creating a more cohesive look. However, the journey to this polished interface wasn't without its challenges.
Several bugs emerged during the process, particularly with the scanner functionality. Users reported that their 'My Portals' section was not displaying correctly, prompting me to move it to the bottom of the list for better visibility. Additionally, I had to refine the scanner's copy to make it more concise and user-friendly. Each line of text needed to be compressed to ensure clarity, which took more time than I initially anticipated. I learned that even small adjustments in copy can significantly enhance user experience.
Another major enhancement was the integration of dual-category portals in the photo gallery, which allows users to navigate through library images directly on the call-card hero. This was a requested feature and required thoughtful consideration of how users interact with visual content. I also made sure that article images now follow the site theme toggle instead of the user's OS preference, fixing a persistent issue where the dark variant would leak through on light themes. These adjustments required meticulous testing to ensure they worked seamlessly across various devices.
The user experience for portal call-card galleries was also improved by showing the left arrow only after users stepped past the main image. This decision was made to avoid confusion when users were presented with navigation options that could lead to a less intuitive experience. I also took the opportunity to polish the site's SEO elements, generating new light-mode editorial illustrations for articles and ensuring that all images rendered correctly with the site's theme.
In addition to these features, I tackled some critical fixes. For instance, I addressed a 404 redirect issue with the '/learn' and '/glossary' pages that had been causing users to bounce back to the map. By adding these routes to the reserved segments, I ensured a smoother navigation experience. I also focused on the scanner's filter functionality, which had been leaking users' personal portals into the search results. This necessitated a deep dive into the filtering logic, but eventually, I was able to streamline it effectively.
Reflecting on this day, I feel a mix of satisfaction and the familiar grind of solo development. Working with Claude Code in VS Code has been an invaluable asset, allowing me to leverage AI capabilities to enhance productivity without incurring additional costs for tools like Lovable or Cursor. This aligns perfectly with my vision of building a one-man show that can achieve a billion-dollar valuation.
As I move forward, I remain committed to refining the GIGI experience and enhancing the overall functionality of the scanner. Each commit is a step toward my goal of creating a seamless agentic web experience, and I can see the progress materializing in tangible ways. While the road ahead may be filled with challenges, today’s achievements remind me that every fix and feature is a step closer to my vision.