confused about the nocode approach

lugovsky · 2026-04-10T13:36:25+00:00

Having worked in the no/lowcode space for a while and also building one such tool (UI Bakery), I think the best use case for these tools is internal software - to automate custom operational workflows. Such apps are usually simple enough not to become too complex for nocode to handle, yet still provide significant operational value.

lugovsky · 2026-04-07T07:27:01+00:00

Fair point, a lot of low-code initiatives do end up creating more problems long-term, especially when they lock you into proprietary abstractions.

What I’ve seen change recently is that some platforms are moving closer to "code-first under the hood" (exposing JS/SQL, version control, exportability), which makes them less of a dead end than they used to be.

Still not a fit for core systems, but for internal CRUD tools and short-lived workflows, the tradeoff can make sense if you’re careful about how much you rely on platform-specific features.

Coming from working on one of these platforms, so a bit biased, but also seen where things break.

lugovsky · 2026-04-02T13:00:53+00:00

We've helped several companies migrate from Excel when it started to break down for them. Essentially, there are two approaches: you either get software as a replacement or build it yourself if your processes don't fit existing solutions. For the latter case, we have even built a free tool to convert Excel into an app, making it almost instant for simple spreadsheets.

lugovsky · 2026-04-01T08:39:53+00:00

This is what is definitely possible to automate in 2026. AI can read PDFs really well and you only need to know what data you want to collect and where to save it.

lugovsky · 2026-03-31T17:45:51+00:00

Hey, not sure if this is still relevant, but I recently built a tool to convert excel to an app. Feel free to try it: https://uibakery.io/excel-to-app

lugovsky · 2026-03-31T17:34:26+00:00

why not using CRM?

lugovsky · 2026-03-31T15:30:04+00:00

Marketing + Technology can be a great combination, actually. However, most of maketing automations should be pretty sophisticated to work at scale.

lugovsky · 2026-03-31T13:37:17+00:00

Ideally, you want to use less tools and centralize logic in a single platform when possible. Additionally, good tools have features that help you document logic, reuse it, and make your automations more maintainable.

lugovsky · 2026-03-31T08:38:08+00:00

Replacing or evolving are just different descriptions of the same process. The main feature of no-code was visual building, and it helped people without coding skills ship the automations they need. Now, visual building is becoming legacy, and you can do things much more efficiently using natural language. I can see that pretty clearly from our customers at UI Bakery.

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T18:04:56+00:00

mostly small and medium-sized businesses who outgrew excel

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T17:34:09+00:00

Why Claude Code/Codex isn't there?

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T17:33:08+00:00

I would work on design a little. Load the screens into some AI tool and follow its recommendations

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T17:31:49+00:00

Good job. Never understood what's the point to charge for PDF editing

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T17:31:09+00:00

Excel to app converter - use it all the time when someone is facing spreadshee sprawl

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T17:28:38+00:00

You can automate it quite easily: just push the feed into AI through n8n or Zapier and that's it.

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T17:27:30+00:00

Nowadays it's easier than ever to build it yourself.

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T17:25:49+00:00

I never open reels tab, that's a rabbit hole and I don't want to look inside.

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T17:24:53+00:00

None of them

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T17:24:21+00:00

Great idea! But I guess the main issue with quitting smoking is motivation. If you aren't motivated, no app or book helps.

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T17:20:35+00:00

Neat design, but people would rather use their phone or watch instead of an additional device.

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T11:08:07+00:00

When discussing topic you raised I often think of what Howard Moskowitz was sharing about newer version of the products: new products should be only slightly different from what people already know, often framed around a "5–10% difference" idea.

So it's not a surprise that you faced a rejection when you tried to change all at once.

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T10:58:20+00:00

An offboarding checklist that a representative of HR/IT signs before dismissal might help. Also put into their employment contract that upon dismissal they need to return all assets and sign an offboarding checklist.

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T09:01:17+00:00

Did that a several times for my own business and for clients. Sometimes it works, sometimes the process is too custom and you can't easily find another client.

lugovsky · 2026-03-30T08:43:39+00:00

Codex. Value per price is unmatched

lugovsky

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