Vibecode Aurelius
track this build5 steps, step by step0%KINDA · weekend project
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Aurelius, organize interview notes, code excerpts, and synthesize themes into findings. The hard boundary is research-specific tagging, collaboration, reporting, and import workflows, plus participant network, synthesis workflow, and collaboration.
the project pack4 files · fastest path to a working personal build
You are building a lean indie version of Aurelius. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== README.md ===== # Aurelius indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Aurelius workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Organize interview notes, code excerpts, merge duplicates, connect evidence to themes, and publish a transparent view of synthesized research findings. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - research-specific tagging, collaboration, reporting, and import workflows - large participant panel - recording and transcription infrastructure - advanced research repository - enterprise governance If those capabilities are essential, use Fider instead of pretending the gap is solved. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs". ===== BUILD_PLAN.md ===== # Build plan ## Original build brief Build a personal replacement for Aurelius in an empty repository. Use Next.js 15, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Drizzle ORM, and Resend; do not offer alternative stacks. The core loop is: organize interview notes, code excerpts, merge duplicates, connect evidence to themes, and publish a transparent view of synthesized research findings. Make the first run work locally with one documented command. Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward. Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials. Create public and private feedback intake with consent text and optional contact details. Support posts, votes, comments, tags, statuses, owners, and duplicate merging. Add a research note type with evidence links, quotes, themes, and confidence. Build search and filters across feedback, customers, segments, themes, and status. Provide email notifications, moderation, export, deletion, and an audit log. Publish a read-only roadmap or findings page using only explicitly public items. Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states. Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs. Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path. Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps. Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane. Deliberately leave out a paid research-participant marketplace. Deliberately leave out unlimited video storage and automated transcription. Deliberately leave out enterprise repositories, SSO, and governance. Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used. ## Required capabilities - PostgreSQL - public HTTPS deployment - Resend API key - optional video-call links ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden. ===== .env.example ===== # Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
You are building a lean indie version of Aurelius. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== README.md ===== # Aurelius indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Aurelius workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Organize interview notes, code excerpts, merge duplicates, connect evidence to themes, and publish a transparent view of synthesized research findings. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - research-specific tagging, collaboration, reporting, and import workflows - large participant panel - recording and transcription infrastructure - advanced research repository - enterprise governance If those capabilities are essential, use Fider instead of pretending the gap is solved. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs". ===== BUILD_PLAN.md ===== # Build plan ## Original build brief Build a personal replacement for Aurelius in an empty repository. Use Next.js 15, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Drizzle ORM, and Resend; do not offer alternative stacks. The core loop is: organize interview notes, code excerpts, merge duplicates, connect evidence to themes, and publish a transparent view of synthesized research findings. Make the first run work locally with one documented command. Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward. Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials. Create public and private feedback intake with consent text and optional contact details. Support posts, votes, comments, tags, statuses, owners, and duplicate merging. Add a research note type with evidence links, quotes, themes, and confidence. Build search and filters across feedback, customers, segments, themes, and status. Provide email notifications, moderation, export, deletion, and an audit log. Publish a read-only roadmap or findings page using only explicitly public items. Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states. Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs. Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path. Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps. Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane. Deliberately leave out a paid research-participant marketplace. Deliberately leave out unlimited video storage and automated transcription. Deliberately leave out enterprise repositories, SSO, and governance. Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used. ## Required capabilities - PostgreSQL - public HTTPS deployment - Resend API key - optional video-call links ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden. ===== .env.example ===== # Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
You are building a production product version of Aurelius. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== PRODUCT.md ===== # Aurelius product brief ## Problem The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Aurelius, organize interview notes, code excerpts, and synthesize themes into findings. The hard boundary is research-specific tagging, collaboration, reporting, and import workflows, plus participant network, synthesis workflow, and collaboration. ## Product outcome Organize interview notes, code excerpts, merge duplicates, connect evidence to themes, and publish a transparent view of synthesized research findings. ## Target user A serious builder who needs a maintainable product foundation rather than a one-off demo. ## Required capabilities - PostgreSQL - public HTTPS deployment - Resend API key - optional video-call links ## Explicit non-goals for v1 - research-specific tagging, collaboration, reporting, and import workflows - large participant panel - recording and transcription infrastructure - advanced research repository - enterprise governance ## Success criteria - The primary workflow is measurable end to end. - Setup is reproducible in a clean environment. - Failure, recovery, and support paths are documented. - Product claims match what the implementation actually guarantees. ===== ARCHITECTURE.md ===== # Architecture ## Starting brief Build a personal replacement for Aurelius in an empty repository. Use Next.js 15, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Drizzle ORM, and Resend; do not offer alternative stacks. The core loop is: organize interview notes, code excerpts, merge duplicates, connect evidence to themes, and publish a transparent view of synthesized research findings. Make the first run work locally with one documented command. Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward. Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials. Create public and private feedback intake with consent text and optional contact details. Support posts, votes, comments, tags, statuses, owners, and duplicate merging. Add a research note type with evidence links, quotes, themes, and confidence. Build search and filters across feedback, customers, segments, themes, and status. Provide email notifications, moderation, export, deletion, and an audit log. Publish a read-only roadmap or findings page using only explicitly public items. Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states. Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs. Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path. Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps. Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane. Deliberately leave out a paid research-participant marketplace. Deliberately leave out unlimited video storage and automated transcription. Deliberately leave out enterprise repositories, SSO, and governance. Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used. ## Boundaries Separate the product into replaceable modules for interface, application logic, persistence, external integrations, and operational concerns. Keep domain logic independent from delivery frameworks and vendors. ## Production baseline - Configuration: validated at startup with safe local defaults where possible. - Security: least privilege, input validation, secret redaction, rate limits on abuse-prone paths, and no invented security primitives. - Data: explicit schema and migrations, transactional writes where integrity matters, backup and restore instructions. - Integrations: adapters around third-party providers, idempotent webhook or job processing, bounded retries, and timeouts. - Observability: structured logs with request or operation IDs, an error-tracking hook, and health/readiness checks where a server exists. - Quality: unit tests for domain rules, integration tests at module boundaries, and one end-to-end critical-path test. ## Decision records For each major dependency, document why it was chosen, its failure mode, and how it can be replaced. Do not introduce infrastructure until a requirement justifies it. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Read `PRODUCT.md` and `ARCHITECTURE.md` before changing code. - Implement milestone by milestone; keep each change reviewable and leave the application runnable. - Treat authentication, payments, encryption, imports, webhooks, and destructive actions as high-risk boundaries when present. - Never invent cryptography or silently weaken a requirement to make a test pass. - Use provider interfaces for external services and deterministic fakes in tests. - Add migrations and rollback or recovery notes for persistent data changes. - Log useful operational context without credentials, tokens, passwords, or personal data. - Update documentation and run all checks before completing a milestone. ===== MILESTONES.md ===== # Delivery milestones ## M0 — Decisions and scaffold - Confirm the runtime, persistence model, threat boundaries, and deployment target. - Create a reproducible local environment and continuous checks. ## M1 — Core workflow - Implement the smallest end-to-end product path with validation and tests. - Keep integrations behind interfaces. ## M2 — Trust layer - Add secure failure behavior, recovery paths, audit-relevant events, and data safeguards. - Test abuse cases and destructive operations. ## M3 — Operability - Add structured logs, error reporting hooks, health signals, backup/restore documentation, and deployment configuration. ## M4 — Release gate - Run a clean-install test, critical-path end-to-end test, dependency review, and documented rollback exercise. - Compare the shipped behavior with `PRODUCT.md` and publish remaining limitations. ===== OPERATIONS.md ===== # Operations ## Before release - Validate configuration and secrets at startup. - Define backup, restore, and rollback procedures and test them. - Document logs, error tracking, health signals, and alert ownership. - Set dependency update and vulnerability review expectations. ## Incident checklist 1. Contain the issue without destroying evidence or user data. 2. Record the timeline and affected scope. 3. Rotate exposed secrets and revoke compromised sessions or credentials. 4. Restore from a verified source when needed. 5. Document the root cause, remediation, and regression test. ## Launch constraint Do not market omitted Aurelius capabilities as implemented. The v1 non-goals in `PRODUCT.md` remain user-visible limitations until they are deliberately delivered.
README.md
# Aurelius indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Aurelius workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Organize interview notes, code excerpts, merge duplicates, connect evidence to themes, and publish a transparent view of synthesized research findings. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - research-specific tagging, collaboration, reporting, and import workflows - large participant panel - recording and transcription infrastructure - advanced research repository - enterprise governance If those capabilities are essential, use Fider instead of pretending the gap is solved.
AGENTS.md
# Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs".
BUILD_PLAN.md
# Build plan ## Original build brief Build a personal replacement for Aurelius in an empty repository. Use Next.js 15, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Drizzle ORM, and Resend; do not offer alternative stacks. The core loop is: organize interview notes, code excerpts, merge duplicates, connect evidence to themes, and publish a transparent view of synthesized research findings. Make the first run work locally with one documented command. Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward. Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials. Create public and private feedback intake with consent text and optional contact details. Support posts, votes, comments, tags, statuses, owners, and duplicate merging. Add a research note type with evidence links, quotes, themes, and confidence. Build search and filters across feedback, customers, segments, themes, and status. Provide email notifications, moderation, export, deletion, and an audit log. Publish a read-only roadmap or findings page using only explicitly public items. Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states. Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs. Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path. Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps. Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane. Deliberately leave out a paid research-participant marketplace. Deliberately leave out unlimited video storage and automated transcription. Deliberately leave out enterprise repositories, SSO, and governance. Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used. ## Required capabilities - PostgreSQL - public HTTPS deployment - Resend API key - optional video-call links ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden.
.env.example
# Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
PRODUCT.md
# Aurelius product brief ## Problem The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Aurelius, organize interview notes, code excerpts, and synthesize themes into findings. The hard boundary is research-specific tagging, collaboration, reporting, and import workflows, plus participant network, synthesis workflow, and collaboration. ## Product outcome Organize interview notes, code excerpts, merge duplicates, connect evidence to themes, and publish a transparent view of synthesized research findings. ## Target user A serious builder who needs a maintainable product foundation rather than a one-off demo. ## Required capabilities - PostgreSQL - public HTTPS deployment - Resend API key - optional video-call links ## Explicit non-goals for v1 - research-specific tagging, collaboration, reporting, and import workflows - large participant panel - recording and transcription infrastructure - advanced research repository - enterprise governance ## Success criteria - The primary workflow is measurable end to end. - Setup is reproducible in a clean environment. - Failure, recovery, and support paths are documented. - Product claims match what the implementation actually guarantees.
ARCHITECTURE.md
# Architecture ## Starting brief Build a personal replacement for Aurelius in an empty repository. Use Next.js 15, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Drizzle ORM, and Resend; do not offer alternative stacks. The core loop is: organize interview notes, code excerpts, merge duplicates, connect evidence to themes, and publish a transparent view of synthesized research findings. Make the first run work locally with one documented command. Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward. Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials. Create public and private feedback intake with consent text and optional contact details. Support posts, votes, comments, tags, statuses, owners, and duplicate merging. Add a research note type with evidence links, quotes, themes, and confidence. Build search and filters across feedback, customers, segments, themes, and status. Provide email notifications, moderation, export, deletion, and an audit log. Publish a read-only roadmap or findings page using only explicitly public items. Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states. Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs. Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path. Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps. Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane. Deliberately leave out a paid research-participant marketplace. Deliberately leave out unlimited video storage and automated transcription. Deliberately leave out enterprise repositories, SSO, and governance. Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used. ## Boundaries Separate the product into replaceable modules for interface, application logic, persistence, external integrations, and operational concerns. Keep domain logic independent from delivery frameworks and vendors. ## Production baseline - Configuration: validated at startup with safe local defaults where possible. - Security: least privilege, input validation, secret redaction, rate limits on abuse-prone paths, and no invented security primitives. - Data: explicit schema and migrations, transactional writes where integrity matters, backup and restore instructions. - Integrations: adapters around third-party providers, idempotent webhook or job processing, bounded retries, and timeouts. - Observability: structured logs with request or operation IDs, an error-tracking hook, and health/readiness checks where a server exists. - Quality: unit tests for domain rules, integration tests at module boundaries, and one end-to-end critical-path test. ## Decision records For each major dependency, document why it was chosen, its failure mode, and how it can be replaced. Do not introduce infrastructure until a requirement justifies it.
AGENTS.md
# Agent instructions - Read `PRODUCT.md` and `ARCHITECTURE.md` before changing code. - Implement milestone by milestone; keep each change reviewable and leave the application runnable. - Treat authentication, payments, encryption, imports, webhooks, and destructive actions as high-risk boundaries when present. - Never invent cryptography or silently weaken a requirement to make a test pass. - Use provider interfaces for external services and deterministic fakes in tests. - Add migrations and rollback or recovery notes for persistent data changes. - Log useful operational context without credentials, tokens, passwords, or personal data. - Update documentation and run all checks before completing a milestone.
MILESTONES.md
# Delivery milestones ## M0 — Decisions and scaffold - Confirm the runtime, persistence model, threat boundaries, and deployment target. - Create a reproducible local environment and continuous checks. ## M1 — Core workflow - Implement the smallest end-to-end product path with validation and tests. - Keep integrations behind interfaces. ## M2 — Trust layer - Add secure failure behavior, recovery paths, audit-relevant events, and data safeguards. - Test abuse cases and destructive operations. ## M3 — Operability - Add structured logs, error reporting hooks, health signals, backup/restore documentation, and deployment configuration. ## M4 — Release gate - Run a clean-install test, critical-path end-to-end test, dependency review, and documented rollback exercise. - Compare the shipped behavior with `PRODUCT.md` and publish remaining limitations.
OPERATIONS.md
# Operations ## Before release - Validate configuration and secrets at startup. - Define backup, restore, and rollback procedures and test them. - Document logs, error tracking, health signals, and alert ownership. - Set dependency update and vulnerability review expectations. ## Incident checklist 1. Contain the issue without destroying evidence or user data. 2. Record the timeline and affected scope. 3. Rotate exposed secrets and revoke compromised sessions or credentials. 4. Restore from a verified source when needed. 5. Document the root cause, remediation, and regression test. ## Launch constraint Do not market omitted Aurelius capabilities as implemented. The v1 non-goals in `PRODUCT.md` remain user-visible limitations until they are deliberately delivered.
$ choose a build depth, inspect the files, then open the complete pack in your agent · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR
People still pay for Aurelius because people pay either for access to participants or for a research repository that keeps evidence usable across an organization. The recurring cost buys recruitment, consent, scheduling, media storage, transcription, tagging consistency, notifications, search, and retention, not just the visible interface.
xresearch-specific tagging, collaboration, reporting, and import workflows
xlarge participant panel
xrecording and transcription infrastructure
xadvanced research repository
xenterprise governance
share on X ↗"I just replaced Aurelius ($49/mo) with one prompt"
Don't feel like building it? These folks already made it free.
QualCoderSerious interview coding, memos and theme reports on your desktop, with serious desktop-software vibes.open source↗
CATMACollaborative text coding in a browser, built by academics and uninterested in your sales funnel.open source↗
TaguetteCode interview excerpts and export themes without recreating an enterprise research repository.open source↗all 3 free alternatives to Aurelius →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Aurelius pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| professional | — | $49/workspace | Unlimited users, projects, notes, insights, documents and storage. |
| premium | — | $199/workspace | Unlimited users, projects, notes, insights, documents and storage plus advanced capabilities. |
| enterprise | custom | — | Custom security, service and procurement terms. |
free tierno free tier
billingAnnual prices are public; a monthly toggle exists, but exact month-to-month rates were not exposed in the checked page output. A 30-day trial is offered.
verified 2026-08-12 · source ↗
Vibecode Aurelius
Kinda. The core of Aurelius is buildable in a weekend with the prompt on this page, but there are real gaps: research-specific tagging, collaboration, reporting, and import workflows, large participant panel. Read the honest list above before committing.
How much does Aurelius cost?
Aurelius costs about $49/month (Pro, checked 2026-07-31), which is $588 per year.
What do I lose by replacing Aurelius?
Honestly: research-specific tagging, collaboration, reporting, and import workflows; large participant panel; recording and transcription infrastructure; advanced research repository; enterprise governance. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Aurelius?
Yes: QualCoder (Serious interview coding, memos and theme reports on your desktop, with serious desktop-software vibes.) CATMA (Collaborative text coding in a browser, built by academics and uninterested in your sales funnel.) Taguette (Code interview excerpts and export themes without recreating an enterprise research repository.) All 3 curated free alternatives are at vibecodeit.com/aurelius/alternatives. The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.