> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.philsimon.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# The Accidental Committer
- URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-accidental-committer/
- Published: 2026-07-14T13:22:41.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-14T13:22:41.000Z
- Description: Claude Code has awakened my inner open-source beast.
- Author: Phil Simon
- Tags: AI, Claude, GitHub, Citizen Development, LCNC book, Python, Notion, Open Source, SaaS, Automation, Macs, Breaking Bad, Faves

Most industry types knew that GitHub had become a big deal since [its inception](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GitHub?ref=philsimon.com#:~:text=On%20June%204%2C%202018%2C%20Microsoft,a%20community%2C%20platform%20and%20business.). I, for one, didn't realize *how* big until June 4, 2018\. On that day, Microsoft dropped a cool [$7.5 billion](https://news.microsoft.com/announcement/microsoft-acquires-github/?ref=philsimon.com) for the world's largest code repository. The acquisition turned out far better than [the Nokia one](https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/8/8910999/microsoft-job-cuts-2015-nokia-write-off?ref=philsimon.com) did.

Over the years, I had dipped one foot in the GitHub pool. As [a college professor](https://www.philsimon.com/academia), I had pushed some straightforward Python examples in a public repo for my students. 

```python
#say_my_name. 
counter = 1 #this is the counter that I metnioned before
guess = input("Say my name. ")
name = "Heisenberg"
while (guess != name):
    guess = input("Try again. ")
    counter = counter + 1 
if counter == 1: #note the double == here.
    print("\nYou are *!##%! right.", "It took you", counter, "try.")
elif counter in [2, 3, 4, 5]:
    print("\nYou are *!##%! right.", "It took you", counter, "tries.")
else: 
    print("\n\tSeriously? You don't watch this show at all.")
```

Simple Breaking Bad Python Script

Still, no one would call me a *power user*. It's not like I committed code every week or every month.

Until suddenly I did. 

In this post, I'll explain why.

## Claude Code Got This Whole Train Rolling 

Since going [all in on Claude](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/), I've been a busy little GitHub bee. Looking [at my recent contributions](https://github.com/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) confirms as much: 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/07/coder.png)

It didn't take that long to automate simple manual processes such as [this one](https://www.philsimon.com/automation-critical-thinking/). Some of the more sophisticated ones, though, required [cron jobs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cron?ref=philsimon.com). Fortunately, [GitHub actions](https://github.com/features/actions?ref=philsimon.com) fit the bill perfectly. No more backing up [Ghost posts and pages](https://www.philsimon.com/the-next-chapter/) in Notion. Claude Code helped me see the light and create a neat [Apple Health interactive dashboard](https://www.philsimon.com/claude-and-cardio/). Have at it on [GitHub](https://github.com/philsimon/apple-health-workout-parser-dashboard?ref=philsimon.com).

## Sign up for Simon Says

Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more.

SUBSCRIBE 

Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. 

No spam. No bullshit. Unsubscribe anytime.

## What *Else* Can I Replace?

Claude Code has awakened my inner open-source beast. Lately, I've been a bit of a demon finding free alternatives to paid SaaS staples. Case in point: my document signing needs are casual. A paid Docusign subscription never made sense. [Dropbox Sign](https://sign.dropbox.com/?coupon%5Fcode=SIGN1026Q2B&%5Ftk=paid%5Fsem%5Fgoog%5Fb%5Ftier1%5Fna&%5Fcamp=na%5Fus%5Fgoog%5Fb%5Ftier-1%5Fsign%7C22134736052&%5Fcontent=dbs-dropboxsign-exact%7C168775204010&%5Fkw=dropbox%20sign%7Ce&%5Fad=730029028024%7Cc&gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=22134736052&gbraid=0AAAAADubkg9C7tTgs%5FriDiwXf5NWaUSJH&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI58aTqObFlQMVcS1ECB2p-CxWEAAYASAAEgL1N%5FD%5FBwE&ref=philsimon.com) works, but the company's incessant attempts to upsell me leave me annoyed. 

> Claude Code has awakened the open-source beast.

Enter [Documenso](https://documenso.com/?ref=philsimon.com). 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/07/documenso.jpeg)

Test Document for Digital Signature | Click on the image to enlarge it.

You're welcome.

🗣️

****Out With the Old**  
I'm a big believer in routinely auditing your apps to identify gaps. To that end, Wispr Flow no longer handles my voice dictation. A week ago, I converted to [Lispr.ai](https://lispr.ai/?ref=philsimon.com). (Hat tip: [Jeremy Caplan](https://wondertools.substack.com/).) [Marker](https://github.com/datalab-to/marker?ref=philsimon.com) lets anyone easily turn PDFs into Markdown. 

The Claude Code-GitHub combo has also proved invaluable in other ways. [My efforts to combat spam](https://www.philsimon.com/godaddy-and-microsoft-failed-me-claude/) and add advanced automations to Notion databases come to mind.

[Claude: The Ultimate Utility PlayerMy favorite AI tool helped me quickly solve four very different problems—all before 10 am one March morning.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/300br-1-f8575a09-77a2-4dcc-807f-fa0a1a68c51f.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/bball-9b147830-5523-41d0-ab75-fb0d4b7a02bc.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/claude-the-ultimate-utility-player/)

## Simon Says

Finding effective replacements—and creating new ones—is downright addicting. I suspect that many citizen developers feel the same way. 

## Feedback

What new tools have you adopted in the past year?