About the job
1️⃣ Reality Check (Before We Start)
You can build v1 yourself if:
• v1 is feature-locked (no scope creep)
• You accept “industrial, not pretty” UI
• You build plugin-first, not SaaS-first
• You delay “nice to have” automation
This is not a 2-week project.
This is a 6–9 month solo build if done properly.
That’s fine. It’s defensible IP.
________________________________________
2️⃣ Recommended Solo-Builder Stack (No Fantasy Tech)
Core Platform
Layer Choice Why
CAD Host BricsCAD Open API, DWG native
Plugin Language C# (.NET) BricsCAD API strength
UI WPF (embedded panels) Mature, fast, boring (good)
Data Storage SQLite Local, versioned, simple
Map Data OS VectorMap / OpenRoads DWG Council-safe
Routing Graph-based routing (custom) Deterministic, controllable
PDF Output PDFSharp / iText7 Full control
Licensing Local license file + hash Avoid SaaS complexity
❌ No React
❌ No cloud dependency
❌ No “AI routing”
✔ Deterministic, auditable logic
________________________________________
3️⃣ Feature-Locked v1 (What You Actually Build)
✅ MUST HAVE (v1)
• BricsCAD plugin loads
• New Job / Draft / Final workflow
• Location input (USRN + manual pick on map)
• Road closure marking
• Diversion route generation (basic graph routing)
• Sign placement (rule-based templates)
• Kit list auto-generation
• Final PDF pack export
• Job counter enforcement
• Watermarked draft outputs
❌ NOT v1 (Explicitly Excluded)
• What3Words auto-resolution
• Cloud sync
• Mu...
read more
1️⃣ Reality Check (Before We Start)
You can build v1 yourself if:
• v1 is feature-locked (no scope creep)
• You accept “industrial, not pretty” UI
• You build plugin-first, not SaaS-first
• You delay “nice to have” automation
This is not a 2-week project.
This is a 6–9 month solo build if done properly.
That’s fine. It’s defensible IP.
________________________________________
2️⃣ Recommended Solo-Builder Stack (No Fantasy Tech)
Core Platform
Layer Choice Why
CAD Host BricsCAD Open API, DWG native
Plugin Language C# (.NET) BricsCAD API strength
UI WPF (embedded panels) Mature, fast, boring (good)
Data Storage SQLite Local, versioned, simple
Map Data OS VectorMap / OpenRoads DWG Council-safe
Routing Graph-based routing (custom) Deterministic, controllable
PDF Output PDFSharp / iText7 Full control
Licensing Local license file + hash Avoid SaaS complexity
❌ No React
❌ No cloud dependency
❌ No “AI routing”
✔ Deterministic, auditable logic
________________________________________
3️⃣ Feature-Locked v1 (What You Actually Build)
✅ MUST HAVE (v1)
• BricsCAD plugin loads
• New Job / Draft / Final workflow
• Location input (USRN + manual pick on map)
• Road closure marking
• Diversion route generation (basic graph routing)
• Sign placement (rule-based templates)
• Kit list auto-generation
• Final PDF pack export
• Job counter enforcement
• Watermarked draft outputs
❌ NOT v1 (Explicitly Excluded)
• What3Words auto-resolution
• Cloud sync
• Multi-user accounts
• Authority-specific rule engines
• Auto council submission
• Mobile views
You don’t need them yet. Don’t build them.
________________________________________
4️⃣ Solo Build Order (Critical Path)
Phase 1 — Skeleton (Weeks 1–4)
Goal: Something loads, saves, and draws
• BricsCAD plugin bootstrap
• Job object + SQLite schema
• Draw closure polygon on map
• Save / reload jobs
• Simple UI panel
✅ At this point: you have a real product, not an idea
________________________________________
Phase 2 — Routing Engine (Weeks 5–10)
Goal: Deterministic diversion routes
• Road network graph model
• Vehicle restriction flags
• Shortest path routing
• Route visualization
• Manual route override
⚠️ This is the hardest part — take your time
________________________________________
Phase 3 — Signage & Kit Logic (Weeks 11–16)
Goal: Outputs become valuable
• Sign template library
• Auto placement rules
• Editable sign positions
• Kit list generation logic
• Validation checks
💡 This is where TM companies start saying “this saves us time”
________________________________________
Phase 4 — PDF & Commercial Locking (Weeks 17–22)
Goal: Monetisable product
• Multi-page PDF generation
• Map snapshots
• Kit list tables
• Job finalisation lock
• Drawing counter enforcement
• Fingerprinting / watermarking
💰 This is where it becomes sellable
________________________________________
Phase 5 — Hardening & Beta (Weeks 23–28)
Goal: Safe for real customers
• Crash handling
• Edge cases
• Performance cleanup
• 2–3 real TM beta users
• Fix real-world issues
________________________________________
5️⃣ Time Commitment (Honest)
If you work:
• 20 hrs/week → ~9 months
• 30 hrs/week → ~6–7 months
• 40 hrs/week → ~5–6 months (hard)
This is completely realistic.
________________________________________
6️⃣ What You Should Build First (This Week)
If you want momentum now, do this:
Week 1 Checklist
• Install BricsCAD SDK
• Create “Hello World” panel
• Create SQLite Job table
• Draw a closure line
• Save + reload it
That’s it.
Once you can draw, save, reload, you’re officially building ACES Flow.
________________________________________
7️⃣ Personal Advice (Important)
You are not trying to:
❌ out-tech Google
❌ build perfect routing
❌ impress developers
You are trying to:
✔ own a niche
✔ lock workflows
✔ control compliance
✔ sell certainty
ACES Flow succeeds by being:
“Boring, correct, repeatable, and council-safe”
That’s a killer product.
read less
1️⃣ Reality Check (Before We Start)
You can build v1 yourself if:
• v1 is feature-locked (no scope creep)
• You accept “industrial, not pretty” UI
• You build plugin-first, not SaaS-first
• You delay “nice to have” automation
This is not a 2-week project.
This is a 6–9 month solo build if done properly.
That’s fine. It’s defensible IP.
________________________________________
2️⃣ Recomme...
read more
1️⃣ Reality Check (Before We Start)
You can build v1 yourself if:
• v1 is feature-locked (no scope creep)
• You accept “industrial, not pretty” UI
• You build plugin-first, not SaaS-first
• You delay “nice to have” automation
This is not a 2-week project.
This is a 6–9 month solo build if done properly.
That’s fine. It’s defensible IP.
________________________________________
2️⃣ Recommended Solo-Builder Stack (No Fantasy Tech)
Core Platform
Layer Choice Why
CAD Host BricsCAD Open API, DWG native
Plugin Language C# (.NET) BricsCAD API strength
UI WPF (embedded panels) Mature, fast, boring (good)
Data Storage SQLite Local, versioned, simple
Map Data OS VectorMap / OpenRoads DWG Council-safe
Routing Graph-based routing (custom) Deterministic, controllable
PDF Output PDFSharp / iText7 Full control
Licensing Local license file + hash Avoid SaaS complexity
❌ No React
❌ No cloud dependency
❌ No “AI routing”
✔ Deterministic, auditable logic
________________________________________
3️⃣ Feature-Locked v1 (What You Actually Build)
✅ MUST HAVE (v1)
• BricsCAD plugin loads
• New Job / Draft / Final workflow
• Location input (USRN + manual pick on map)
• Road closure marking
• Diversion route generation (basic graph routing)
• Sign placement (rule-based templates)
• Kit list auto-generation
• Final PDF pack export
• Job counter enforcement
• Watermarked draft outputs
❌ NOT v1 (Explicitly Excluded)
• What3Words auto-resolution
• Cloud sync
• Multi-user accounts
• Authority-specific rule engines
• Auto council submission
• Mobile views
You don’t need them yet. Don’t build them.
________________________________________
4️⃣ Solo Build Order (Critical Path)
Phase 1 — Skeleton (Weeks 1–4)
Goal: Something loads, saves, and draws
• BricsCAD plugin bootstrap
• Job object + SQLite schema
• Draw closure polygon on map
• Save / reload jobs
• Simple UI panel
✅ At this point: you have a real product, not an idea
________________________________________
Phase 2 — Routing Engine (Weeks 5–10)
Goal: Deterministic diversion routes
• Road network graph model
• Vehicle restriction flags
• Shortest path routing
• Route visualization
• Manual route override
⚠️ This is the hardest part — take your time
________________________________________
Phase 3 — Signage & Kit Logic (Weeks 11–16)
Goal: Outputs become valuable
• Sign template library
• Auto placement rules
• Editable sign positions
• Kit list generation logic
• Validation checks
💡 This is where TM companies start saying “this saves us time”
________________________________________
Phase 4 — PDF & Commercial Locking (Weeks 17–22)
Goal: Monetisable product
• Multi-page PDF generation
• Map snapshots
• Kit list tables
• Job finalisation lock
• Drawing counter enforcement
• Fingerprinting / watermarking
💰 This is where it becomes sellable
________________________________________
Phase 5 — Hardening & Beta (Weeks 23–28)
Goal: Safe for real customers
• Crash handling
• Edge cases
• Performance cleanup
• 2–3 real TM beta users
• Fix real-world issues
________________________________________
5️⃣ Time Commitment (Honest)
If you work:
• 20 hrs/week → ~9 months
• 30 hrs/week → ~6–7 months
• 40 hrs/week → ~5–6 months (hard)
This is completely realistic.
________________________________________
6️⃣ What You Should Build First (This Week)
If you want momentum now, do this:
Week 1 Checklist
• Install BricsCAD SDK
• Create “Hello World” panel
• Create SQLite Job table
• Draw a closure line
• Save + reload it
That’s it.
Once you can draw, save, reload, you’re officially building ACES Flow.
________________________________________
7️⃣ Personal Advice (Important)
You are not trying to:
❌ out-tech Google
❌ build perfect routing
❌ impress developers
You are trying to:
✔ own a niche
✔ lock workflows
✔ control compliance
✔ sell certainty
ACES Flow succeeds by being:
“Boring, correct, repeatable, and council-safe”
That’s a killer product.
read less