Exander Johns Writer · traveler · creator of The Commonplace

04 · ai-assisted projects

A cabinet of machines

Things built with a machine at the other desk — drafted together, finished by hand. Each is a specimen, to be explored.

gauge · build stage — concept → prototype → in development → beta → operational

Plate 01 gen. Reference · sp. living-corpus

The Commonplace

A knowledge reference of history's people, ideas and materials — built for curious readers and learners.

  • corpus 1000+ entries, hand-finished
  • build static, prerendered, no frameworks
  • checks deterministic validators + llm fact-check gate
operational
Plate 02 gen. Exhibit · sp. animated-portal

The front door

Four paintings, quietly animated — a page drifts, water glints, geometry breathes. The motion piece you walk through on the way in.

  • paintings 4, generated, hand-cut into layers
  • motion css keyframes, 25+ registered layers
  • weight ~3 mb · runs without javascript
operational · exhibit
Plate 03 gen. Discovery · sp. guided-library

Story Trail

A discovery engine that helps parents find children's books through real needs and situations rather than traditional categories.

  • curated recommendations
  • reader-centered discovery
  • parent-first browsing paths
Operational
Plate 04 gen. Simulation · sp. cozy-management

The Burrow & Barrel

A fantasy tavern simulation where gathering, preparation, and service become one continuous living system.

  • data-driven architecture
  • persistent simulation
  • event-driven gameplay systems
Prototype · not yet public
Plate 05 gen. Archive · sp. mapped-journeys

Travel Atlas

An interactive travel journal that reconstructs journeys as connected places instead of disconnected photographs.

  • ordered trips and stops
  • mapped routes
  • photographs anchored to place and time
Operational
Plate 06 gen. Simulation · sp. autonomous-party

Campaign Simulator

A tabletop RPG engine where AI serves as Dungeon Master while simultaneously controlling three distinct companion characters—or simulates a real gaming group so a Dungeon Master can stress-test adventures before running them.

  • solo role-playing
  • DM simulation mode
  • persistent multi-agent personalities
Concept · not yet public
Plate 07 gen. Companion · sp. offline-first

Field Kit

A pocket companion for a trip — itinerary, places, bookings, packing, and spending on one screen, built to keep working when the signal doesn't. Carried forward from one journey to the next.

  • itinerary, places, packing, budget
  • no network required
  • rebuilt for each trip
Beta · personal use