# Heliostat

> Shape Up adapted for the developer who does everything alone. Fixed time, variable scope, honest hill charts.

## What it is

Heliostat is a project planning tool that implements the [Shape Up](https://basecamp.com/shapeup) methodology for solo developers. The app is organized around five phases:

1. **Think** — mind-map workspace for raw ideas (markdown notes, `#tags`, `[[wikilinks]]`, folders, image attachments).
2. **Pitch** — write up an idea: problem, T-shirt size, solution, rabbit holes, no-gos.
3. **Commit** — pick which pitches you'll ship this cycle.
4. **Build** — track scope on a hill chart with check-ins; commits auto-link via branch tags.
5. **Cooldown** — cleanup, capture loose ideas, run a guided retrospective.

## Key features

- 2–6 week cycles (configurable, default 2)
- Hill-chart scope tracking with timestamped check-ins
- Auto-link GitHub commits to scopes via branch / commit-message tags
- Unplanned-work logging + interruption percentage in retrospectives
- AI Senior for pitch review (built-in personas; Solo users author custom)
- AI Retro Coach for guided cooldown retrospectives
- Public `/u/:username` inbox for inbound pitch submissions
- OAuth 2.1 + Model Context Protocol (`/mcp`) endpoint for external AI clients
- Per-note public share links and `.tar.gz` map export
- PWA install with push notifications

## Pricing

- **Free** — one project, one active bet per cycle, most-recent cycle in history.
- **Solo Monthly** — $10/month — unlimited projects, unlimited pitches per cycle, full history, custom AI personas.
- **Solo Yearly** — $99/year (under $9/month).

See [/pricing](/pricing.md) for the full comparison.

## Links

- [Methodology](/methodology.md) — Shape Up adapted for solo developers.
- [Tutorial](/tutorial.md) — running your first cycle, end to end.
- [FAQ](/faq.md) — common questions on Think, Shape Up, the Senior, billing, integrations.
- [About](/about.md) — Reedster LLC and the founder.

## Built by

Reedster LLC — Sean Reed, [github.com/streed](https://github.com/streed).