Oleg Brailean

OLEG BRAILEAN

Developer · Creator · Engineer

"I build what I need. When the existing solutions don't fit — I create my own. And if it turns out well enough, I share it with the world."

The Workshop Mindset

Most of what I've built started the same way — with a need I couldn't solve. I'd look for an app, a tool, a solution. Sometimes it was too expensive. Sometimes it didn't exist. Sometimes it existed but felt wrong.

Being a developer means I don't have to settle. I can take that frustration and turn it into something real — something that works exactly the way I think it should.

And when it turns out well enough — when it feels right — I share it. Because a good tool shouldn't stay in a drawer.

Simplicity First

A tool should be intuitive from the first second. If you need a manual, the design has failed.

Beauty Matters

Aesthetics are not decoration — they're part of the experience. Good design feels good to use.

Fair Pricing

Quality software doesn't need to be expensive. If it's paid — it should be worth every cent and no more.

Scratch Your Own Itch

The best products come from real needs. I am always my first user, my first tester, my harshest critic.

10+ years building software
16+ apps published
iOS · macOS · Games platforms
Do what must be done, and let come what may.

From the Workshop

Tools born from real needs — crafted for simplicity.

ListenBook icon

ListenBook

Audiobook Player

iOS

An audio player for those who really listen ListenBook plays your audiobooks, lectures, podcasts, and voice memos—whatever you have in your files. Works on iPhone, iPad, in the car via Apple CarPlay, and on Apple Watch—and now on the watch…

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More from the workshop

The Road So Far

The Early Days

First Lines of Code

Discovered programming and fell in love with the idea that you could build something from nothing. Started with small experiments, scripts, and the thrill of making a computer do exactly what you wanted.

The First App

MP3 Audiobook Player

Built the first real app for the App Store. The pattern was already there: needed something, couldn't find it, built it myself. This one stuck — and taught me everything about shipping software to real people.

MP3 Audiobook Player
Growing the Workshop

From One App to Many

The same cycle repeated: encounter a need, search for a solution, get frustrated, build it better. Each app was a lesson in simplicity and focus. The workshop grew not by plan, but by necessity.

TrackChecker myCarLog What a Color?
Creative Detours

Games & Experiments

Took creative detours into game development and experimental projects. Not every project needs to be serious — some are just fun. These taught different skills: game design, visual thinking, user delight.

Parade of the Planets Picture Pairs Hidden Fears
Expanding to macOS

Desktop Tools

Brought the same philosophy to macOS: small, focused utilities that do one thing well. The desktop needed the same kind of thoughtful, no-bloat tools.

myMouseMagic myLangSwitcher BiCommander
The AI Chapter

Where Technology Meets Creativity

The AI wave opened new possibilities. Instead of fearing it, embraced it as a new creative tool. Built apps at the intersection of human creativity and AI capability.

Music Prompt Builder PicEat
Now

Still building. Still scratching itches. The workshop never closes.

What I Work With

Mobile Development

Swift SwiftUI UIKit Core Data StoreKit CloudKit

macOS Development

AppKit Accessibility API IOKit Menu Bar Apps

Game Development

Unity C# SpriteKit Game Design

Other

AI / LLM Prompt Engineering UI/UX Design REST APIs

Daily Tools

Xcode
Swift
Unity
Figma
Git
Claude

Thoughts & Stories

Why I Built BiCommander
Product story

Why I Built BiCommander

A personal tool turned productivity staple — one window, two panels, and everything you need to stop switching apps and start getting things done.

· 1 min read
The Case for Small, Focused Apps
Dev notes

The Case for Small, Focused Apps

In a world of Swiss Army knife apps, there's a strong case for tools that do exactly one thing — and do it exceptionally well.

· 6 min read

Let's Talk

Have a question, idea, or just want to say hello? I'd love to hear from you.

0 / 5,000

Whether it's a bug report, a feature idea, a collaboration proposal, or just a kind word — every message gets read.