Developer builds AI-assisted virtual koi pond to ease stress during unemployment

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Paul, a developer with ADHD, launched Koi.rest, a minimalist virtual koi pond website, in early August 2025. The project was inspired by his ongoing stress from unemployment and a real-life balcony zen garden he had not yet completed. Despite lacking JavaScript skills, he used AI tools to build the site rather than let the idea remain unrealized. The result is a quiet, browser-based space where visitors can watch animated koi fish together. Paul shared the project on Hacker News, describing it as a small passion project meant to offer calm to anyone who needs it.

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