I’ve been looking at a number of devtools and AI tools launched over the last 12–18 months, and a pattern keeps repeating: - Strong product, clear technical value - Early users from friends / Twitter / communities - Then things stall when it comes to converting paying users

Things that seem less effective than expected: - Content that ranks but doesn’t convert - Community posting that generates discussion but no revenue - “Build in public” without a clear path to payment

Things that might be working, but inconsistently: - Integrations / ecosystems - Very narrow ICP + outbound - Founder-led sales lasting far longer than planned

For founders actively shipping devtools today: - What’s actually getting you your first 10–50 paying users? - What looked promising but turned out to be a dead end? - If you were starting again in 2026, where would you focus first?

Curious what’s working now, not what sounds good in theory.