I'm a frontend engineer with nine years of experience building websites and apps for nonprofits, small businesses, and publishers — mostly in React, Next.js, and TypeScript. I work remotely from Helena, Montana, and my focus is fast, durable software that the people who inherit it can actually maintain.
- Frontend: React, Next.js, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
- Backend & tooling: Node.js, Express, Docker, SQLite, Python
- The unglamorous-but-useful stuff: WordPress ↔ React integrations, Chrome extensions, Electron apps, CMS workarounds of every kind
Lately I've been on a local-first / self-hosted kick — tools that run on your own machine or homelab, with no accounts, no cloud, and no telemetry:
- RSVP-reader — a self-hosted, browser-based speed reader. Opens EPUB/PDF/TXT/Markdown and flashes one word at a time (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation). Single Docker container, works great over Tailscale.
- personal-dashboard — a local-first Electron app for tracking net worth, mortgage equity, device health, and site uptime. All data stays in SQLite on your machine.
- localfy — a Docker container for keeping local copies of your Spotify playlists.
And some odds and ends:
- moshtube — "moshes" two YouTube videos together with random shader effects. No practical purpose, very fun.
- chrome-follow-clean-link — a Chrome extension that strips tracking parameters from links before you follow them.
- wp-react-cpt — a Vite + Bun WordPress plugin that registers a custom post type and consumes it from a React app.
- 2025-react-starter — the React + tooling setup I reach for when starting something new.
The best way to reach me is through joelwilsonmt.dev. Always happy to talk shop, whatever timezone you're in.