NodePad is an AI-driven platform for idea exploration that was built by interaction designer and founder Saleh Kayyali on Replit, a platform where builders can bring their software and app ideas to life quickly. Saleh used Replit's deploy feature to host his app, which has thousands of users and a sleek UI, and shot to #5 on HackerNews without being paid before. The app allows users to visually organize their ideas, connect related nodes, and generate new insights with AI support. Replit enabled Saleh to build and deploy NodePad effortlessly, showcasing the platform's power in empowering developers like him to bring their ideas to life quickly. Saleh is now exploring ways to enhance NodePad's functionality and make it more accessible, envisioning it as a passion project that sits between academic research and a startup.