Stop talking about it. Build it.
Bring me the spreadsheet you hate. Leave with the tool that replaces it.
We sit down with one annoying problem, or the idea you keep putting off, and build it together. You leave with it live on its own link, knowing how to change it yourself.
What is Build Session?
Build Session is one-on-one coaching in downtown Austin, Texas, and over Google Meet, that teaches people to build and host their own small software tools using AI. No coding experience is needed, it starts with a $30, 30-minute call, and everything you build is yours, on your own accounts.
Nights and weekends, I build small things.
hhaust.in
I wanted to build something that would help me and the people around me. It knows where you are, what day it is and what time it is, and shows the closest and best deals that are active right now.
See hhaust.in
Zipgun
Text your brain. I text myself notes, links, reminders and to-dos, and they file themselves into a searchable feed.
Try the Zipgun demo
Alpine
A first-person hiking game set before dawn, from an idea I had on a headlamp hike. The page is up to see who wants to play.
See AlpineYou watch it get built. Then you take the keys.
Start with a 30-minute call
Bring an idea, a problem, or the spreadsheet you hate. I ask questions until we both understand what you're after, then tell you straight what it will take. It's also how we both check we're a good fit before you commit to anything.
We build it together
Working sessions run by the hour, in person in downtown Austin, usually over coffee at Brew & Brew, or over Google Meet. You describe what you need in plain English, AI does the building, and I steer so it comes out right.
You leave with it live
Your tool is hosted on its own link, under your own accounts, not mine. You also get a one-page cheat sheet for asking for changes, so tool number two is on you.
Simple launch pricing.
Need more than an hour? Three working hours for $200, split however you like. That saves you $25, and leaves room for a bigger tool or two small ones.
Rather have it built for you? I do that too. Tell me what you need on the starter call and I'll quote it.
One cost that isn't mine: the AI tool has its own subscription, about $20 a month, which you pay to them directly. Hosting a small tool is usually free.
Small tools for real annoyances. And ideas worth building.
Some of what comes through the door, written up the way we'd write it up. Yours will be on the call.
This is for you if
- You have one annoying problem you deal with again and again
- You have an idea you want to see working, not just talk about
- You're willing to type what you want in plain English
It's not for you if
- You need card payments or health records
- You need a full product with a team behind it
- You already build with AI tools every week
What people ask first.
Do I need to know how to code to build my own app with AI?
No. If you can describe your problem to a person, you can describe it to the AI. I show you how to ask so you get what you meant.
Are you selling me software?
No. Everything we build is yours, under accounts in your name. The AI tool we use, Claude Code, has its own subscription, about $20 a month at the time of writing, which you pay to them directly, not to me. Hosting a small tool on GitHub and Netlify is usually free.
Why is the first call paid?
Because it's real work, not a sales pitch. In 30 minutes I ask the questions that shape your idea into something buildable, and we both find out whether we're a good fit. If we're not, you leave with a clearer idea and no obligation.
How much does it cost?
A 30-minute starter call is $30. Working sessions are $75 an hour, or $200 for a 3-hour pack, which saves you $25. Most first tools take about an hour, so about $105 all in. That's launch pricing.
Where do sessions happen?
In person in downtown Austin, Texas, or over Google Meet from anywhere. For in-person sessions we pick a spot downtown that's convenient for you. My first suggestion is usually Brew & Brew, my favorite coffee shop in Austin. I don't travel outside downtown for sessions.
Is there anything you won't build?
Yes. Anything that takes card payments or stores health records. Those need a proper software team, and I'll tell you so before you book.
What if it breaks later?
The cheat sheet covers most fixes, because you fix it the same way we built it: by asking. If you would rather have backup, book another hour.
Can you just build it for me?
Yes. If you would rather hand it off, tell me what you need on the starter call and I'll quote it. You still own everything, on your own accounts.
Hi, I'm Charlie.
I'm a product manager, and I've been building software since 2014: mostly B2B products used by hundreds of thousands of people. Nights and weekends I build small things for myself, a happy hour finder, a notes app I text, a hiking game. The three above are real, and you can use them today. There's more about me at charleslehman.com.
For most of my career, software was something companies built for thousands of people. AI changed that. Now anyone with a real problem and an hour can build a tool for an audience of one, or their family, or a few friends. I've done it dozens of times, and I'll be honest: it's easier than people think. Most people just don't know where to start. That's the part I help with.
Start with 30 minutes.
Pick a 30-minute slot and tell me in a sentence or two what's annoying you, or the idea you keep coming back to. It's how we both make sure we're a good fit before you commit to anything.
- 01Pick a time. Any open 30-minute slot on my calendar.
- 02Send one line. What's annoying you, or the idea. I send a Venmo request, and the $30 is paid before we meet.
- 03Show up. Downtown Austin or Google Meet. Bring a laptop if we're meeting in person.