Video compressor

When you need a quick utility, you do not always have to search for third-party software or struggle through command-line tools. Simon Willison shared how he used Claude Code to instantly build a browser-based video compressor using WebAssembly, solving an immediate problem right from his browser.

This workflow shows the power of personal software in the age of AI. Instead of hunting down an ad-heavy compression website or setting up complicated local libraries, you can ask an AI assistant to stitch together modern web technologies to handle the task locally on your machine.

For new builders, this is a great reminder of what is possible. You do not have to create massive full-stack applications every time. Creating tiny, single-purpose tools that solve your own everyday friction is one of the best ways to practice building with AI.