A finish line you cannot quietly move
The product turns a vague side-project intention into a defined commitment: deadline, stake, and proof requirements decided before the hard week arrives.
Accountability for developers who need consequences
Put your next side project on a real deadline.
SideProject helps you define the scoped MVP, attach a meaningful stake, and finish with proof another person can inspect. Less wandering. More shipping.
2 to 5 week deadlinesChoose your own stakeLive proof required
Current product note
The commitment workflow is live today. Payment enforcement is still being rolled out, and the product now states that clearly instead of implying a fully active charge layer.
Commitment previewWeek 2 of 4
Project
Launch a paid waitlist MVP for a developer tool
Scope is locked to landing page, signup flow, and a basic authenticated dashboard. The point is a usable launch, not a complete company.
Stake
$60
Enough pressure to matter when the project gets uncomfortable.
Definition of done
Working product, live URL, real repo
Weekly review
On track
Latest check-in
Landing page finished. Auth flow in progress. Main blocker is tightening scope before the final week.
Proof needed
Live product, public repo, and a direct summary of what a new visitor can actually do now.
A narrower MVP that is easier to ship
You lock the version that must exist, separate must-haves from nice-to-haves, and stop redesigning your way out of the launch.
Proof that forces honesty at the end
A live URL, a real repo, and a clear summary of what works now make it much harder to rationalize an unfinished release.
Why this converts better
The value is not motivation. The value is structure with consequences.
Todo lists track intent. This product tracks a shipping contract.
Public tweets create social pressure. A real stake adds consequence when motivation drops.
Habit apps reward activity. SideProject rewards shipped proof.
How the product works
A short system built to stop private procrastination.
The workflow is intentionally narrow. You define the project, narrow the scope, stay accountable while building, and finish with proof instead of a story.
01
Create the commitment
Pick a 2 to 5 week deadline, set the stake, and describe the version of the product that must exist by the ship date.
02
Lock the MVP plan
Clarify the one-line MVP, what must be included, what stays out, and what proof you will submit at the end.
03
Stay visible while you build
Weekly check-ins keep drift visible, surface risk early, and stop the project from disappearing into your backlog.
04
Submit proof of launch
Finish with a live URL, GitHub repo, and a direct description of what works now. Placeholder launches do not count.
Verification standard
The finish line is designed to be hard to rationalize around.
What counts as shipped
A usable product with a live URL, a real codebase, and a clear explanation of what another person can do right now.
What does not count
404 pages, empty repos, placeholder marketing pages, tutorial clones, or launches that only describe an idea.
Who it is for
Developers shipping a focused MVP in 2 to 5 weeks, not teams planning a broad startup launch with a six-month roadmap.
Questions before you start
The product should feel serious before you commit.
Why does money matter here?
Because the emotional cost of missing your own deadline is usually too low. A self-chosen stake makes procrastination expensive before the project slips out of view.
What if my idea changes halfway through?
The product is designed to reduce that impulse. You can refine the plan early, but the point of the commitment is to stop using new ideas as an excuse to avoid shipping.
Is payment fully live today?
The commitment workflow is live now. Payment enforcement is being rolled out, so the product is explicit about that instead of pretending the charge layer is already complete.
Ready to turn the idea into a date?
Set the ship date before the project disappears again.
Define the MVP, choose the stake, and give your next build a finish line that is concrete enough to change your behavior.