Shipping real tools across AI, Apple, and hardware

Justin Barlow.Full-Stack Developer.

I build AI tooling, iOS and Mac utilities, embedded hardware, and automation that leaves the prototype folder. Recent work includes CodexMeter, xAI OAuth for pi, agent research workflows, and shipped scripts for repetitive browser work.

AI toolingiOS & Mac appsEmbedded hardwareAutomation
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01.

About Me

I'm a full-stack developer who likes the messy edges where web apps, native Apple utilities, local daemons, and embedded devices have to agree. The work is practical: ship the provider, flash the firmware, wire the bridge, and make the interface useful.

Recent projects cover CodexMeter on an M5Stack AtomS3, an xAI OAuth package for pi, agentic research tooling, and automation for tedious browser tasks. I'm strongest when a product needs software judgement across the device, app, API, and workflow.

  • AI tooling: Codex agents, deep research, and provider plugins
  • Apple-native utility work: iOS widgets, Mac helpers, and local daemons
  • Embedded products: C firmware, BLE/OTA workflows, and small-screen UIs
  • Automation: scripts and browser workflows that remove repetitive work
  • Open source at github.com/BlockedPath
npm
Published xAI OAuth provider
AtomS3
Embedded CodexMeter display
iOS/Mac
Widgets, helpers, and local bridges
shipped-work
$ gh repo view BlockedPath/CodexMeter
stack: C firmware + Swift app + Python bridge
device: M5Stack AtomS3 desk display
$ npm view pi-xai-oauth
xAI OAuth, token refresh, web search, X search
proof matrix
AIdeep-researchparallel agents with citations
AppsCodexMeteriOS widget plus Mac sync
HardwareAtomS3128x128 status display
local device
CodexMeter display path
02.

Skills & Tech

{ }

Languages

6 skills
TypeScriptJavaScriptPythonSQLC++Swift
✦

Frontend

6 skills
ReactNext.jsTailwind CSSFramer Motionshadcn/uiVite
⚙

Backend

4 skills
Node.jsExpressFastAPIFlask
◈

Databases

6 skills
PostgreSQLSQLiteMySQLRedisPrismaSupabase
⬡

Tools

13 skills
GitDockerVercelGitHub ActionsFigmaVS CodeCursorCodexPiOpen Codenpmuvpip
03.

Projects

Five selected builds with clear outcomes, source links, and the practical signal behind each project.

5 projects
FeaturedActive build

CodexMeter

Full Stack

Hardware-plus-app usage meter that turns Codex session state into a desk-visible status display.

Outcome

A tiny AtomS3 display, Mac helper, and iOS/widget companion surface quota windows, connection state, and active sessions without opening a terminal.

Surface
128x128 desk display
Stack
C / Python / Swift
Proof

Firmware + helper + mobile companion

  • Embedded firmware drives the M5Stack AtomS3 display
  • Local bridge keeps provider snapshots available to the phone
  • iOS app and widget mirror usage status away from the desk
CPythonSwiftM5Stackembedded
Firmware repo
FeaturedPublished

pi-xai-oauth

AI / ML

Provider extension that gives pi users xAI/Grok access through the same workflow as built-in models.

Outcome

Adds OAuth login, token refresh, model configuration, and search tools so xAI works like a first-class pi provider.

Context
1M window
Auth
OAuth refresh
Distribution

Published npm package

  • Matches pi provider conventions instead of adding a one-off command
  • Includes web search and X search tool plumbing
  • Verification scripts cover the extension request shape
TypeScriptOAuthxAInpmpi
Source packagenpm package
Research workflow

deep-research

AI / ML

Claude Code plugin for deep, multi-source research using parallel agents and explicit source validation.

Outcome

Turns open-ended research into a repeatable workflow that assigns agents, reconciles conflicts, and produces cited reports.

Method
Parallel agents
Quality
Source checks
Output

Structured reports with citations

  • Splits broad questions into independent research passes
  • Flags disagreements instead of flattening them away
  • Keeps citation-backed findings separate from synthesis
PythonClaude APIMCPagents
Playable

Zombie Survival

Frontend

Browser-based top-down survival game with a tight loop around waves, pickups, upgrades, and boss pressure.

Outcome

Runs as a canvas-first game in the browser, keeping the core loop simple: survive longer, collect better tools, and push through harder waves.

Mode
Endless waves
Loop
Pickups + perks
Runtime

Canvas game in repo

  • Twin-stick movement and shooting tuned for quick browser sessions
  • Weapon pickups, perk upgrades, and bosses add pacing changes
  • No install path required beyond the web runtime
JavaScriptHTML5Canvas
Game repo
Utility

xthreadsunfollow

Tools

Headless utility for turning a tedious Threads account-maintenance flow into a repeatable automation.

Outcome

Automates bulk unfollowing so the workflow is scripted, repeatable, and less dependent on manual browser cleanup.

Runtime
Node / JS
Use case
Threads cleanup
Proof

Headless automation script

  • Targets a specific account hygiene job instead of a generic bot
  • Runs headlessly for long repetitive sessions
  • Keeps the workflow small enough to inspect and adapt
JavaScriptautomation
Automation repo
04.

Get in Touch

Have a project in mind or just want to connect? My inbox is open.

Currently available

Let's work together

Open to freelance projects, full-time roles, and interesting collaborations. Big idea or quick question — I'd love to hear from you.

justinjbarlow92@gmail.comgithub.com/BlockedPathlinkedin.com/in/justinbarlowx.com/BlockedPaths