@ShmosKnows Dogfooding? Although it's mostly for use in pre-production contexts, like quality assurance.

This is (close to) the model I use for my development container and its `upgrade` tool, my custom-built URL shortener, and probably a couple other things I can't remember off the top of my head.

I also have some public-facing apps (Bodacious and LucidLog). I don't use Bodacious a lot because it's buggy especially on Linux, but LucidLog I use all the time.

@ShmosKnows (Sorry for the thread!)

I'm not sure how to best put it although I'm the only one who uses (and is meant to use) the backend parts of the URL shortener. It does have a public-facing component, which is the redirecting bit and links to learn about its backend, but the backend isn't intended for anyone but me to use it.

@blake these are great points!

Are there any communities that builders and what not help each other?

An analogy I'm thinking of is that a maker space building is for physical engineering projects. Is there an equivalent space for coders? A "coder space"? 

@ShmosKnows Plenty of those online, and I think there are some (mostly ecosystem specific) in the real world. In the specific case of building for yourself, there's not much, although the indie web community may be close to what you're looking for.

The final thing to remember is you know yourself best. You alone know the best way to make something for you.