I pay for Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini: all the pro models. I have all the AI vibe-coding workflows set up. I create random POCs all the time.

So when Lenny tweeted about CleanShot X recently, I could have tried to vibecode my own version.

Would it have worked 70% of the time? Probably. Could I have just created the 20% of features I need that would give me 80% of the value? Probably.

But would I make something as polished as CleanShot X? No. Would I fix the dozens of edge cases after the MVP? No. Would I maintain it? Definitely not.

So I just decided to pay the ~$30 for the license.

AI makes building cheaper.

But you still need to put in effort to develop software that has taste and polish. And of course maintain it.

If I take dozens of screenshots a day, it makes sense to pay for an app that does screenshots really well.

And when the world has infinite content and infinite software nowadays thanks to AI, discovery (word of mouth) becomes even more valuable. I know people who bought Tegus and Quartr Pro because of my tweets. I have done the same when people I respect recommend something. Especially from people with a high value-to-shill ratio.

P.S Get CleanShot X.