Projects

I build tools that make development faster and more reliable. Each project emphasizes thorough testing, clean architecture, and practical utility — things I've come to value after years in QA and engineering.

Selected Work

xin ↗

A local-first desktop notes app built with Electron and TypeScript. Notes are stored as plain Markdown files on disk, managed through Node.js fs APIs — no database layer, the filesystem is the data store. In-memory state is handled with Zustand on the renderer side. Includes auto-updates via GitHub Releases and comprehensive E2E test coverage.

  • Local-first Markdown files with zero cloud dependency
  • Playwright E2E test suite with CI integration
  • Electron auto-updates via GitHub Releases
  • Zustand state management on the renderer side

Role: Architect & primary implementer

Typescript · Electron · Playwright · Claude

view tests →

markmcdermott.io ↗

This portfolio site, built with Astro 5 and SCSS. Features a custom Commodore 64-inspired retro aesthetic with three theme modes (light, dark, and C64). Every component is part of a hand-built design system without utility frameworks for a more unique, custom feel.

  • Custom C64 retro UI with CRT scanline effects
  • Three theme modes: light, dark, and C64
  • Playwright smoke tests for every page
  • Astro 5 SSG with zero client-side JavaScript by default

Role: Designed, implemented, and maintained end-to-end

Typescript · Astro · Playwright · Claude

puravida ↗

A zero-dependency Bash CLI used daily to scaffold projects and eliminate repetitive setup work. Handles file creation, directory structures, and multi-line text insertion without external tools. Built to handle edge cases like nested directories and special characters cleanly.

  • Instant file and directory scaffolding
  • Multi-line insertion with heredoc support
  • Zero external dependencies — pure Bash
  • Daily driver for note-taking and project setup

Role: Sole developer

Bash