I build software that works with people.
Lydia Kwag · Product Engineer
AI-assisted tools, browser extensions, and calm software systems designed to reduce cognitive load.
Work
Selected Projects
FlowMate
AI-enhanced focus timer for people who need more than a Pomodoro
Configurable audio cues, time-awareness features, and intelligent task suggestions powered by OpenAI and Claude. ~1,000 active users.
Flow Club Companion
Zero-friction coworking timer
Lightweight timer and task manager embedded directly into Flow Club's virtual coworking sessions — stays out of the way.
JustToday
Queue-based routine execution, no decision fatigue
Minimal task flow with real-time editing and behavioral constraints that keep you moving without getting overwhelmed.
Engineering Approach
How I Build Software
People rarely use software in ideal conditions. They're often mid-task, switching contexts, or returning to something they started earlier.
I design systems with those real-world patterns in mind — tools that are easy to start, pause, and continue without friction.
Design for real attention patterns
People often open tools mid-task, low-energy, or between other responsibilities. Good software should support that reality — easy to pick up, pause, and return to without losing the thread.
Structure over complexity
Thoughtful constraints can be more effective than adding more features. Clear sequencing, quiet defaults, and simple states reduce friction and help people move forward.
AI that assists, not replaces
AI works best when it supports thinking rather than replacing it. The goal is momentum — surfacing options, reducing blank-page friction, and getting out of the way once someone has clarity.
About
Lydia Kwag
I design software systems around real human behavior — not idealized workflows.
My work focuses on tools for focus, learning, and deeper productivity — software that earns attention rather than demands it.
I care about the full product experience: system behavior, interface design, interaction details, and the clarity of language.