REWORK

Pencils down

Knowing when to stop is harder than it sounds. In this episode, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about the moment when more work stops helping and starts getting in the way. They share how to recognize when something is done, why chasing perfection can do more harm than good, and how putting the pencil down at the right time leads to better results.Key Takeaways00:11 – The "pencils down" phase of product development01:24 — Testing by the entire company03:17 — AI Workflow & vibe coding09:58 — Speed vs durability15:08 — Refinement & cutting features18:08 — Full launch strategy20:00 — “Give It Five Minutes” MindsetLinks and ResourcesRecord a video question for the podcastWatch The REWORK podcast on YouTubeBasecamp is the no-nonsense project management system. Sign up for free at Basecamp.comHEY is a fresh take on email. Sign up for a 30-day free trial at HEY.comFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Sign up for free at fizzy.doBooks by 37signalsJason Fried on XDavid Heinemeier Hansson on X

Bring your AI agents to Basecamp

Opening things up changes how people use your product. In this episode, David Heinemeier Hansson walks through a new feature that makes Basecamp accessible to AI agents through a Command Line Interface (CLI). He shares how this update can lead to entirely new ways of working for those that are technically minded.Key Takeaways00:10 – Redefining product accessibility03:27 – Opening the door to AI agents10:07 – Starting small and seeing where it leads13:37 – The future for agent accessibility with other 37signals productsLinks and ResourcesBring your own AI agents to Basecamp — https://basecamp.com/agentsRecord a video question for the podcastWatch The REWORK podcast on YouTubeBasecamp is the no-nonsense project management system. Sign up for free at Basecamp.comHEY is a fresh take on email. Sign up for a 30-day free trial at HEY.comFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Sign up for free at fizzy.doBooks by 37signalsJason Fried on XDavid Heinemeier Hansson on X

Business beyond profit

Profit matters, but it’s not the whole story. In this episode, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about building a company around independence instead of endless growth. They reflect on finding the right size for a business, keeping costs low to preserve freedom, and choosing a long, sustainable run over chasing scale at any cost.Key Takeaways00:10 – Finding your “orbit” when you don’t need to keep pushing for more03:39 – Letting go of the idea that growth has to be endless09:05 – Choosing independence instead of outside pressure17:48 – Keeping costs low so you have room to try things your way19:57 – Why steady can beat getting biggerLinks and ResourcesFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Try it for free at fizzy.doRecord a video question for the podcastSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comBooks by 37signalsHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

Built on Intuition

Not every product decision comes from a spreadsheet. In this episode, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson talk about trusting your instincts when building something new. They share how experience sharpens those instincts over time, and how real products produce the feedback that actually moves things forward.Key Takeaways00:11 – Letting your gut guide decisions03:54 – Strengthening instincts through real choices05:08 – Sometimes the best move is simply to build it07:49 – Breaking free from analysis paralysis15:02 – Real products bring real feedback17:11 – Learning to trust your own judgment18:26 – Welcoming feedback instead of fearing itLinks and ResourcesFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Try it for free at fizzy.doRecord a video question for the podcastSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comBooks by 37signalsHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X

AI Revisited - part 2

Following up on an earlier conversation about AI, this episode shifts to the product side of the discussion. Host Kimberly Rhodes chats with 37signals CEO and co-founder Jason Fried about his daily AI use, what it's helped him do more efficiently, customer expectations, and how he's thinking about AI's role in future product updates.Key Takeaways00:12 – Putting AI tools to work06:42 – Using AI to reclaim time, not replace thinking12:19 – Where 37signals sees thoughtful implementation fitting in17:16 – Why rushing adoption can backfire18:25 – The ongoing debate from the customer perspective21:45 – Why workforce changes aren’t always tied to automation25:40 – Human interaction still mattersLinks and ResourcesThe owner's word weighs a ton by Jason Fried on Signal v. NoiseFizzy is a modern spin on kanban. Try it for free at fizzy.doRecord a video question for the podcastSign up for a 30-day free trial at Basecamp.comBooks by 37signalsHEY World | HEYThe REWORK podcastThe Rework Podcast on YouTubeThe 37signals Dev Blog37signals on YouTube@37signals on X