So this might be a bit of a departure from previous content and products, but go with me here:
I’m excited to announce Boxing Timer Champ, the first TCB Studio app.
It’s a boxing timer app for iOS, built to support boxing workouts and training sessions. It lets users set standard times for rounds and rest periods, with customizable presets.
Why a Boxing Timer App?
Wait, what? Most of the content here is about content marketing and software tools. What’s a boxing timer got to do with that?
Building this app actually ties directly into the core focus of this site: using modern tools to make digital projects possible.
I designed Boxing Timer Champ as a personal project to learn app development, and along the way, leaned heavily on AI tools, coding resources, and marketing systems, the same types of resources normally covered here.
In short: this app is a direct result of the tools and processes I write about.
Beyond that, boxing has become one of my favorite hobbies. I’ve found it to be a holistic practice, combining physical training, mental focus, and consistent discipline, all of which mirror skills needed for completing creative work.
What I Learned
Developing Boxing Timer Champ taught me new concepts about programming, software development, and product launch workflows.
Before this, my background was mostly in web development and digital marketing. I had no real experience creating native apps.
By working toward a real goal (a finished app) instead of just following “30 minutes a day” tutorials, I learned:
- How to navigate Xcode and iOS app structure
- How to integrate analytics and crash reporting
- How to set up privacy-compliant ads
- How to actually ship a production-ready app to the App Store
AI tools were essential, as they provided quick code and custom troubleshooting where countless roadblocks would have otherwise ended the project. Having access to creative brainstorming and conversational debugging tools helped power through.
How I Use The App (Besides Boxing)
Boxing is a huge part of why I built the app, but I’ve also found the timer useful for focused practice in other areas, like music practice sessions and interval training.
Breaking practice into structured short work periods with timed rest helps maintain high performance over longer sessions.
It’s a simple but powerful technique that can help make practice sessions less intimidating. Instead of “practice for 45 minutes”, it becomes “practice in focused rounds”, which keeps energy and attention sharper throughout the session.
Tools Used for Building It
Since TCB Studio focuses on useful digital tools, here’s a quick list of what I used:
- ChatGPT: Planning, coding, troubleshooting, and general feedback. Especially useful with “Work with Apps” for agentic edits in Xcode.
- Windsurf: My primary AI-assisted IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Cascade (their AI agent) became a key development partner.
- Cursor: Another strong AI IDE. Great history features but less reliable models compared to Windsurf for my use case.
- VS Code + GitHub Copilot: Briefly used until agent credits ran out. Smooth integration while it lasted.
- Xcode: Mandatory for iOS apps. Even with quirks, it’s the home base for building, testing, and deploying.
- Claude Code: Provided early contributions during the middle phase but found pricy and limited.
- Figma: Any design work including the app icon, rest phase icon, and App Store screenshots.
- Firebase: Used a privacy-focused setup for crash reporting and basic analytics without personal data tracking.
- Google AdMob: For ad integration with an ad-free upgrade option using privacy-focused settings.
AI Models Used
- GPT-4 Variants: Primary driver during development. Windsurf’s GPT-4.1 integration was especially useful later on.
- Claude 3.5 / 3.7: Solid for complex reasoning and larger codebase updates.
- Cascade Base: Good for simpler coding tasks and git management.
- DeepSeek Thinking: Tested for handling larger bug hunts, though I stayed cautious with privacy concerns.
Closing Thoughts
I’m probably not winning any awards for product announcement writing. What excites me isn’t the announcement itself, but the process of building, learning, and sharing what I’ve figured out.
I’ll be posting more breakdowns and covering these tools in more depth. I’ll share lessons learned from releasing an app as a beginner, and offer advice for anyone thinking about starting software projects themselves.
I’m far from an expert, but I can now officially say I’m an independent app developer. It’s been a frustrating, yet rewarding experience, and I hope my notes can help make the path easier.
Get The App
Check out the Boxing Timer Champ app and related resources:
Thank you for reading. Until the next round.