How We Built Serve513 With AI, and Kept People in Charge
Serve513 was built with help from an AI coding assistant. Here is what that help looked like, what AI never touches on a Saturday, and why people still make every call on the floor.
Registration Desk: How to Sign Up a New Neighbor
A step-by-step guide for the volunteer working the Registration Desk — search first, create the profile, and reset for the next person in line, so the Welcome Desk can keep taking orders.
Coming to the Shower Station: A Countdown on Every Stall
A preview of the next Shower Station update: each occupied stall counts down the minutes left, turns amber and reads Time is up when the limit passes, and the time limit is one dropdown that any volunteer can set on their device.
Soft Launch by the Numbers: Our First Saturday on Serve513
What the app recorded on Saturday, September 12, 2026: 57 neighbors registered and served, 59 orders, 108 station check-ins, and where the morning flowed or stalled.
How to Become a Volunteer: A Super Simple Guide
A step-by-step picture guide that walks you through creating your Serve513 account, logging in, and joining your first service day.
Welcome Desk: How to Add a New Client
A step-by-step guide for welcome desk volunteers on creating a profile for a first-time guest — from the Create a profile shortcut to filling in their details and sending their first visit to the stations.
Welcome Desk: How to Find a Returning Client
A step-by-step guide for welcome desk volunteers on searching the guest directory, confirming a returning neighbor, and starting their visit — including the one-click Reorder shortcut.