Inspiration
While building my wishlist for college, I encountered the problem of having to make multiple wishlists and coordinate multiple wishlists from marketplaces like Amazon, Target, Wal-Mart, and others - not very fun. So I made an app that would allow me to make wishlists like I make bibliographies in Zotero, using a simple Chrome extension and a clean app to go along, all locally managed.
What it does
WishCraft helps you keep track of things you want, from gadgets to gifts, by letting you save links, notes, and organize them into wishlists. It runs locally on your Mac and connects with a Chrome extension so you can clip items as you browse.
How we built it
We built WishCraft using SwiftUI for the macOS app, with local JSON storage for privacy and speed. A lightweight HTTP server (powered by Swifter) bridges the app to a custom Chrome extension, which lets you save products from the web.
Challenges we ran into
I have never used Swift before so it was a challenge to learn it. Also I didn't want to enroll in Apple's Developer Program and pay the exorbitant prices so I had to use workarounds to allow a extension to talk to my local app.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
The app works, it does what I needed to, doesn't have any bugs (that I know of), and is smooth.
What we learned
I learned how tricky it can be to make macOS and Chrome play nicely, especially when dealing with local servers, custom URL schemes, and system permissions. I also got a deeper understanding of building apps that feel connected without relying on the cloud. Most of all, I realized how small, thoughtful tools can make everyday work feel way smoother.
What's next for WishCraft
Few features like price tracking, wishlist PDF generation, and others to make it even more functional.
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