Public dossier section · @ben
sources
This is @ben's profile revision 1. The original date and editorial confidence below are attributed to its publisher, not independent verification.
Original credited author: Hraness
AI-drafted at Ben Guo's direct request and credited to Hraness; every claim links to its cataloged source.
Back to the full profile · Markdown version · Original document
Published text
- team: computer stays closed-source — github (2024-12-15, repo). team: computer stays closed-source; workflow starter kit teased
- launch post text: connected components, natural-language instructions, branch/loop — couchsky.app (2024-12-18, primary). launch post text: connected components, natural-language instructions, branch/loop
- waitlist phase — linkedin (2024-12-13, community). waitlist phase; "collaboration with google deepmind"
- $2m + make real recap — tldraw.dev (2023-12-15, primary). $2m + make real recap; "upcoming 2.0 release"
- natural language computer mechanics — the-decoder.com (2024-12-20, reporting). "natural language computer" mechanics; auto-built workflows
- 3 years and $5m building the perfect canvas — apple podcasts (2025, interview). "3 years and $5m building the perfect canvas"; fairies; tool-design principles; state-designer→arrows lineage
- github — github (2023-11-20, repo). fal.ai real-time generation demo
- shutdown notice date — drawfast.tldraw.com (2024-01-14, primary). shutdown notice date
- sheldrick at tldraw jun 2022– — linkedin (2026-09, reference). sheldrick at tldraw jun 2022–; also shows aggregate "$24.1m" figure (flagged)
- lu wilson: weirdest and most ambitious project — linkedin (2025-12-01, primary). lu wilson: "weirdest and most ambitious project"; timed event
- github — github (2025, repo). internal fairy agent: @tldraw/fairy-shared, cloudflare fairy-worker, settool/removetool apis
- fairies landing page — fairies.tldraw.com (2025-12, primary). fairies landing page
- flash launch — tldraw.dev (2026-09-10, primary). flash launch; authors drake, leo, knudsen; lo-fi animation
- margiotta joined ~jul 2026 — linkedin (2026-09-02, community). margiotta joined ~jul 2026
- waitlist post — linkedin (2026-09-02, primary). waitlist post; record-and-drag motion
- monorepo metadata, ~50k stars, contributor list, license=other, trusted-by list — github (2021-05-09, repo). monorepo metadata, ~50k stars, contributor list, license="other", trusted-by list
- full make real story talk — gitnation.com (2024, primary). full make real story talk
- max drake on agent history incl — gitnation.com (2026, primary). max drake on agent history incl. teach, agent starter kit, fairies
- react advanced 2025 hit-testing talk — gitnation.com (2025, primary). react advanced 2025 hit-testing talk
- globs-based vector editor — github (2021-03-12, repo). globs-based vector editor
- launch hn thread — hacker news (2021-11-18, community). launch hn thread; ruiz comments: mit, sponsors-gated until now, liveblocks multiplayer, vs code ext, monorepo layout
- name origin (tl — hacker news (2022-12-01, community). name origin ("tl;dr aw"); ruiz on excalidraw/perfect-freehand, globs origin
- nov 2021 monorepo snapshot: packages/tldraw, core, apps/www, vscode, electron — wayback machine (2021-11-21, archive). nov 2021 monorepo snapshot: packages/tldraw, core, apps/www, vscode, electron
- blair frontend dev sep 2022–jun 2023 — linkedin (2026-09, reference). blair frontend dev sep 2022–jun 2023
- accidental ai canvas — latent space (2024-01-05, interview). accidental ai canvas; figma/adobe offers spring 2021; deferral & quitting play; arrows taste quote
- current model: dev-only free — tldraw.dev (2026-09, primary). current model: dev-only free; trial/commercial/hobby keys; client-side key validation
- license text, tldraw, inc — github (2024, repo). license text, "tldraw, inc." copyright
- bespoke license w/ sdk 2 — tldraw.dev (2023-12-20, primary). bespoke license w/ sdk 2.0 beta; non-commercial default; v1 mit forever; 2.x pre-releases apache-2.0
- departure post — linkedin (2025-12-19, primary). departure post; 3 yrs at tldraw; wikimedia from jan
- 16k+ downloads claim — linkedin (2026-07-27, community). 16k+ downloads claim; first update
- fork of draw-a-ui — github (2023-11-13, repo). fork of draw-a-ui; archived; 5.4k stars
- full make real chronology — tldraw.substack.com (2023-11-18, primary). full make real chronology; sawyer hood fork; drawmyui.com; starter template fri; quotes
- backstory: art school → broke at 30 → design → code — museapp.com (2022-07-07, interview). backstory: art school → broke at 30 → design → code; "released nov 2021… full time since july"
- čuvalo head of engineering 2024–present — nightlight.rocks (2026-09, primary). čuvalo head of engineering 2024–present
- bezenšek arrow bender, jan 2023–, slovenia — linkedin (2026-09, reference). bezenšek "arrow bender," jan 2023–, slovenia
- offline desktop launch — tldraw.dev (2026-07-16, primary). offline desktop launch; local .tldraw files; scripting/agents
- desktop app repo — github (2024-12-28, repo). desktop app repo; mac/win/linux builds
- cites dennis hansens holograph propagator nets in tldraw — orionreed.com (2024, primary). cites dennis hansen's holograph propagator nets in tldraw
- 3d underlay experiment on tldraw — github (undated, repo). 3d underlay experiment on tldraw
- reed: engineer-in-residence at tldraw, block science — blog.vaporware.network (2024, interview). reed: "engineer-in-residence at tldraw," block science
- make real discussion — podrocket.logrocket.com (2024, interview). make real discussion; links makereal/teach/computer subdomains
- apr 4 2023 switchover plan — tldraw.substack.com (2023-03-20, primary). apr 4 2023 switchover plan; old.tldraw.com; v1 repo move; footer "tldraw gb ltd"
- tldraw.dev — tldraw.dev (2025-09-18, primary). 4.0 details; mit starter kits; @tldraw/ai removed
- cli, 5 starter kits, license-key enforcement, wcag 2 — tldraw.dev (2025-09-18, primary). cli, 5 starter kits, license-key enforcement, wcag 2.2 aa
- sdk 5 — tldraw.dev (2026-05-07, primary). sdk 5.0 "all about features"; shipped-the-backlog quote
- tldraw.dev — tldraw.dev (2022-11-30, primary). $2.7m seed investor list; "new tldraw" beta; team roster; early sdk adopters
- substack mirror of seed post — tldraw.substack.com (2022-11-30, primary). substack mirror of seed post
- $10m series a (lux + definition) — tldraw.dev (2025-04-09, primary). $10m series a (lux + definition); ~$1m first-year license revenue; customers; team ~20; digital-ink origin
- sdk state, local data, business model, fairies, future — shoptalkshow.com (2025-11-10, interview). sdk state, local data, business model, fairies, future
- signia reactive state library, mit, ruiz+sheldrick — tldraw.substack.com (2023-03-02, primary). signia reactive state library, mit, ruiz+sheldrick
- willison on draw-a-ui/make real mechanics — simonwillison.net (2023-11-16, community). willison on draw-a-ui/make real mechanics
- sponsor page — github (2026-09, repo). sponsor page; project list incl. state-designer, globs
- starter kit catalog (agent, workflow, branching chat, chat, multiplayer) — tldraw.dev (2026-09, primary). starter kit catalog (agent, workflow, branching chat, chat, multiplayer)
- statecharts state management + visual ide — github (undated, repo). statecharts state management + visual ide
- self-bio — steveruiz.me (2026-09, primary). self-bio; play/framer; ~500k mau claim; series a backers; finsbury park
- profile: founder & ceo, london — github (2026-09, repo). profile: founder & ceo, london; repo list w/ stars
- dated blog post index (essays aug 2021–nov 2023) — steveruiz.me (2026-09, primary). dated blog post index (essays aug 2021–nov 2023)
- founder feb 2022– — linkedin (2026-09, reference). founder feb 2022–; play; framer design educator mar 2019–may 2020; inviqa; clearscore
- caution: different steve ruiz (workos gtm) — not tldraws founder — steveruiz.substack.com (2025-11, reference). caution: different steve ruiz (workos gtm) — not tldraw's founder
- pai: react/cloudflare workers/partykit background — sunilpai.dev (2026-09, primary). pai: react/cloudflare workers/partykit background
- tldraw sync launch — tldraw.dev (2024-08-05, primary). tldraw sync launch; 400k users/200k projects claim; self-hosted; license included
- @tldraw/sync-core internals, tlsyncclient push/pull/rebase — github (2026-09, repo). @tldraw/sync-core internals, tlsyncclient push/pull/rebase
- sync architecture: rooms, tlsocketroom, cloudflare template, demo server — tldraw.dev (2026-09, primary). sync architecture: rooms, tlsocketroom, cloudflare template, demo server
- how tldraw built — syntax.fm (2022, interview). how tldraw built; no-canvas-element rendering; globs/excalidraw lineage
- hassan aug 2023–nov 2024 — linkedin (2026-09, reference). hassan aug 2023–nov 2024; make real, carry on, llama3 autocomplete, a11y
- origins quote, $2 — techcrunch (2022-12-16, reporting). origins quote, $2.7m seed, five fte, sponsors-only revenue
- lu: previously tldraw, now prototyping at wikipedia — todepond.com (2026-09, primary). lu: "previously tldraw", now prototyping at wikipedia
- twist demo episode — glasp.co (2024, interview). twist demo episode; state-chart→ui generation
- html-vs-rendering bet quotes — twosetai.com (2026-03-22, interview). html-vs-rendering bet quotes
- canvas-vs-chat multi-agent quotes — twosetai.com (2026-03-28, interview). canvas-vs-chat multi-agent quotes
- adobe turndown on a friday — uxtools.co (2026-03-16, interview). adobe turndown "on a friday"; product-maker-fit; "just ask for money"
- original 2021-2022 version, released under mit — github (undated, repo). "original 2021-2022 version, released under mit"
- sdk 2 — github (2024-02-29, repo). sdk 2.0 stable, "initial public release"
- first 2 — github (2023-12-20, repo). first 2.0 beta w/ new license
AI-drafted at Ben Guo's direct request and credited to Hraness; every claim links to its cataloged source.
Canonical page: https://hraness.com/tldraw/sources
Original source occurrences
- team: computer stays closed-source · github · 2024-12-15 (day) · original ID: src-hp-computer-issue
team: computer stays closed-source; workflow starter kit teased
- launch post text: connected components, natural-language instructions, branch/loop · couchsky.app · 2024-12-18 (day) · original ID: src-hp-computer-launch
launch post text: connected components, natural-language instructions, branch/loop
- waitlist phase · linkedin · 2024-12-13 (day) · original ID: src-hp-computer-wiesser
waitlist phase; "collaboration with google deepmind"
- $2m + make real recap · tldraw.dev · 2023-12-15 (day) · original ID: src-hp-dec2023-whatsnew
$2m + make real recap; "upcoming 2.0 release"
- natural language computer mechanics · the-decoder.com · 2024-12-20 (day) · original ID: src-hp-decoder-computer
"natural language computer" mechanics; auto-built workflows
- 3 years and $5m building the perfect canvas · apple podcasts · 2025 (year) · original ID: src-hp-diveclub
"3 years and $5m building the perfect canvas"; fairies; tool-design principles; state-designer→arrows lineage
- github · github · 2023-11-20 (day) · original ID: src-hp-drawfast-repo
fal.ai real-time generation demo
- shutdown notice date · drawfast.tldraw.com · 2024-01-14 (day) · original ID: src-hp-drawfast-site
shutdown notice date
- sheldrick at tldraw jun 2022– · linkedin · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-ds300-linkedin
sheldrick at tldraw jun 2022–; also shows aggregate "$24.1m" figure (flagged)
- lu wilson: weirdest and most ambitious project · linkedin · 2025-12-01 (day) · original ID: src-hp-fairies-li-lu
lu wilson: "weirdest and most ambitious project"; timed event
- github · github · 2025 (year) · original ID: src-hp-fairies-pr
internal fairy agent: @tldraw/fairy-shared, cloudflare fairy-worker, settool/removetool apis
- fairies landing page · fairies.tldraw.com · 2025-12 (month) · original ID: src-hp-fairies-site
fairies landing page
- flash launch · tldraw.dev · 2026-09-10 (day) · original ID: src-hp-flash-blog
flash launch; authors drake, leo, knudsen; lo-fi animation
- margiotta joined ~jul 2026 · linkedin · 2026-09-02 (day) · original ID: src-hp-flash-dalila
margiotta joined ~jul 2026
- waitlist post · linkedin · 2026-09-02 (day) · original ID: src-hp-flash-li
waitlist post; record-and-drag motion
- monorepo metadata, ~50k stars, contributor list, license=other, trusted-by list · github · 2021-05-09 (day) · original ID: src-hp-github-repo
monorepo metadata, ~50k stars, contributor list, license="other", trusted-by list
- full make real story talk · gitnation.com · 2024 (year) · original ID: src-hp-gitnation-makereal
full make real story talk
- max drake on agent history incl · gitnation.com · 2026 (year) · original ID: src-hp-gitnation-maxdrake
max drake on agent history incl. teach, agent starter kit, fairies
- react advanced 2025 hit-testing talk · gitnation.com · 2025 (year) · original ID: src-hp-gitnation-pointer
react advanced 2025 hit-testing talk
- globs-based vector editor · github · 2021-03-12 (day) · original ID: src-hp-globs-repo
globs-based vector editor
- launch hn thread · hacker news · 2021-11-18 (day) · original ID: src-hp-hn-launch
launch hn thread; ruiz comments: mit, sponsors-gated until now, liveblocks multiplayer, vs code ext, monorepo layout
- name origin (tl · hacker news · 2022-12-01 (day) · original ID: src-hp-hn-seed
name origin ("tl;dr aw"); ruiz on excalidraw/perfect-freehand, globs origin
- nov 2021 monorepo snapshot: packages/tldraw, core, apps/www, vscode, electron · wayback machine · 2021-11-21 (day) · original ID: src-hp-ia-snapshot-2021
nov 2021 monorepo snapshot: packages/tldraw, core, apps/www, vscode, electron
- blair frontend dev sep 2022–jun 2023 · linkedin · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-jamie-linkedin
blair frontend dev sep 2022–jun 2023
- accidental ai canvas · latent space · 2024-01-05 (day) · original ID: src-hp-latentspace
accidental ai canvas; figma/adobe offers spring 2021; deferral & quitting play; arrows taste quote
- current model: dev-only free · tldraw.dev · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-license-docs
current model: dev-only free; trial/commercial/hobby keys; client-side key validation
- license text, tldraw, inc · github · 2024 (year) · original ID: src-hp-license-md
license text, "tldraw, inc." copyright
- bespoke license w/ sdk 2 · tldraw.dev · 2023-12-20 (day) · original ID: src-hp-license-update
bespoke license w/ sdk 2.0 beta; non-commercial default; v1 mit forever; 2.x pre-releases apache-2.0
- departure post · linkedin · 2025-12-19 (day) · original ID: src-hp-lu-leaving
departure post; 3 yrs at tldraw; wikimedia from jan
- 16k+ downloads claim · linkedin · 2026-07-27 (day) · original ID: src-hp-lu-linkedin-post
16k+ downloads claim; first update
- fork of draw-a-ui · github · 2023-11-13 (day) · original ID: src-hp-makereal-repo
fork of draw-a-ui; archived; 5.4k stars
- full make real chronology · tldraw.substack.com · 2023-11-18 (day) · original ID: src-hp-makereal-story
full make real chronology; sawyer hood fork; drawmyui.com; starter template fri; quotes
- backstory: art school → broke at 30 → design → code · museapp.com · 2022-07-07 (day) · original ID: src-hp-metamuse-59
backstory: art school → broke at 30 → design → code; "released nov 2021… full time since july"
- čuvalo head of engineering 2024–present · nightlight.rocks · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-mime-resume
čuvalo head of engineering 2024–present
- bezenšek arrow bender, jan 2023–, slovenia · linkedin · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-mitja-linkedin
bezenšek "arrow bender," jan 2023–, slovenia
- offline desktop launch · tldraw.dev · 2026-07-16 (day) · original ID: src-hp-offline-blog
offline desktop launch; local .tldraw files; scripting/agents
- desktop app repo · github · 2024-12-28 (day) · original ID: src-hp-offline-repo
desktop app repo; mac/win/linux builds
- cites dennis hansens holograph propagator nets in tldraw · orionreed.com · 2024 (year) · original ID: src-hp-orion-propagators
cites dennis hansen's holograph propagator nets in tldraw
- 3d underlay experiment on tldraw · github · undated (unknown) · original ID: src-hp-orion-tldraw3d
3d underlay experiment on tldraw
- reed: engineer-in-residence at tldraw, block science · blog.vaporware.network · 2024 (year) · original ID: src-hp-orion-vaporware
reed: "engineer-in-residence at tldraw," block science
- make real discussion · podrocket.logrocket.com · 2024 (year) · original ID: src-hp-podrocket
make real discussion; links makereal/teach/computer subdomains
- apr 4 2023 switchover plan · tldraw.substack.com · 2023-03-20 (day) · original ID: src-hp-relaunch-post
apr 4 2023 switchover plan; old.tldraw.com; v1 repo move; footer "tldraw gb ltd"
- tldraw.dev · tldraw.dev · 2025-09-18 (day) · original ID: src-hp-sdk4-release-notes
4.0 details; mit starter kits; @tldraw/ai removed
- cli, 5 starter kits, license-key enforcement, wcag 2 · tldraw.dev · 2025-09-18 (day) · original ID: src-hp-sdk40
cli, 5 starter kits, license-key enforcement, wcag 2.2 aa
- sdk 5 · tldraw.dev · 2026-05-07 (day) · original ID: src-hp-sdk50
sdk 5.0 "all about features"; shipped-the-backlog quote
- tldraw.dev · tldraw.dev · 2022-11-30 (day) · original ID: src-hp-seed-blog
$2.7m seed investor list; "new tldraw" beta; team roster; early sdk adopters
- substack mirror of seed post · tldraw.substack.com · 2022-11-30 (day) · original ID: src-hp-seed-substack
substack mirror of seed post
- $10m series a (lux + definition) · tldraw.dev · 2025-04-09 (day) · original ID: src-hp-series-a
$10m series a (lux + definition); ~$1m first-year license revenue; customers; team ~20; digital-ink origin
- sdk state, local data, business model, fairies, future · shoptalkshow.com · 2025-11-10 (day) · original ID: src-hp-shoptalk-690
sdk state, local data, business model, fairies, future
- signia reactive state library, mit, ruiz+sheldrick · tldraw.substack.com · 2023-03-02 (day) · original ID: src-hp-signia
signia reactive state library, mit, ruiz+sheldrick
- willison on draw-a-ui/make real mechanics · simonwillison.net · 2023-11-16 (day) · original ID: src-hp-simonw
willison on draw-a-ui/make real mechanics
- sponsor page · github · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-sponsors
sponsor page; project list incl. state-designer, globs
- starter kit catalog (agent, workflow, branching chat, chat, multiplayer) · tldraw.dev · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-starter-kits
starter kit catalog (agent, workflow, branching chat, chat, multiplayer)
- statecharts state management + visual ide · github · undated (unknown) · original ID: src-hp-state-designer
statecharts state management + visual ide
- self-bio · steveruiz.me · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-steveruiz-about
self-bio; play/framer; ~500k mau claim; series a backers; finsbury park
- profile: founder & ceo, london · github · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-steveruiz-github
profile: founder & ceo, london; repo list w/ stars
- dated blog post index (essays aug 2021–nov 2023) · steveruiz.me · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-steveruiz-home
dated blog post index (essays aug 2021–nov 2023)
- founder feb 2022– · linkedin · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-steveruiz-linkedin
founder feb 2022–; play; framer design educator mar 2019–may 2020; inviqa; clearscore
- caution: different steve ruiz (workos gtm) — not tldraws founder · steveruiz.substack.com · 2025-11 (month) · original ID: src-hp-steveruiz-substack
caution: different steve ruiz (workos gtm) — not tldraw's founder
- pai: react/cloudflare workers/partykit background · sunilpai.dev · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-sunilpai
pai: react/cloudflare workers/partykit background
- tldraw sync launch · tldraw.dev · 2024-08-05 (day) · original ID: src-hp-sync-announce
tldraw sync launch; 400k users/200k projects claim; self-hosted; license included
- @tldraw/sync-core internals, tlsyncclient push/pull/rebase · github · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-sync-core-docs
@tldraw/sync-core internals, tlsyncclient push/pull/rebase
- sync architecture: rooms, tlsocketroom, cloudflare template, demo server · tldraw.dev · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-sync-docs
sync architecture: rooms, tlsocketroom, cloudflare template, demo server
- how tldraw built · syntax.fm · 2022 (year) · original ID: src-hp-syntax-505
how tldraw built; no-canvas-element rendering; globs/excalidraw lineage
- hassan aug 2023–nov 2024 · linkedin · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-taha-linkedin
hassan aug 2023–nov 2024; make real, carry on, llama3 autocomplete, a11y
- origins quote, $2 · techcrunch · 2022-12-16 (day) · original ID: src-hp-techcrunch
origins quote, $2.7m seed, five fte, sponsors-only revenue
- lu: previously tldraw, now prototyping at wikipedia · todepond.com · 2026-09 (month) · original ID: src-hp-todepond-site
lu: "previously tldraw", now prototyping at wikipedia
- twist demo episode · glasp.co · 2024 (year) · original ID: src-hp-twin-e1863
twist demo episode; state-chart→ui generation
- html-vs-rendering bet quotes · twosetai.com · 2026-03-22 (day) · original ID: src-hp-twosetai-canvas
html-vs-rendering bet quotes
- canvas-vs-chat multi-agent quotes · twosetai.com · 2026-03-28 (day) · original ID: src-hp-twosetai-chat
canvas-vs-chat multi-agent quotes
- adobe turndown on a friday · uxtools.co · 2026-03-16 (day) · original ID: src-hp-uxtools
adobe turndown "on a friday"; product-maker-fit; "just ask for money"
- original 2021-2022 version, released under mit · github · undated (unknown) · original ID: src-hp-v1-repo
"original 2021-2022 version, released under mit"
- sdk 2 · github · 2024-02-29 (day) · original ID: src-hp-v2-release
sdk 2.0 stable, "initial public release"
- first 2 · github · 2023-12-20 (day) · original ID: src-hp-v2beta1
first 2.0 beta w/ new license