How to Build Your Own HEY
Replace HEY with a custom build. A delightfully fresh take on email + calendar, from 37signals
Build Difficulty: 5/5
Build a working replacement in a weekend with AI tools
Estimated Timeline
Based on 47 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Transactional and marketing email delivery
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 47 features
Email Management(13 features)
Set automatic replies for when you're away, on vacation, or unavailable.
Set emails to reappear at the top of your Imbox at a later time.
Show only emails marked as 'Reply Later' and reply to them one after another without distraction.
Easy way to power through unread messages without interrupting workflow.
Move emails you need to reply to but don't have time for into a dedicated 'Reply Later' pile.
+8 more in this category
Email Organization(11 features)
Clip and save text snippets from emails for quick reference without digging through threads.
Add visual cover art styles or custom images to slide over previously seen emails for visual organization.
Add personal sticky notes to emails for phone numbers, dates, addresses, links, and private thoughts.
Merge separate emails about the same topic into one thread to keep conversations together.
Automatically group new messages at the top and previously seen emails at the bottom for orderly organization.
+6 more in this category
Collaboration(4 features)
Combine multiple email threads on a single page, group them, and optionally share with team members.
Create group email addresses like sales@, support@, or info@ that multiple team members can access.
Add private comments to shared threads that only team members can see.
Share any email thread with team members. They see the full conversation plus future replies and private comments.
Email Account(3 features)
Exclusive @hey.com email address of your choosing included with your account.
Send and receive emails using your own custom domain name.
Set up aliases like support@ that go to multiple people on your team.
Calendar(2 features)
Modern, full-featured calendar application with original twists on calendar conventions.
Dedicated daily notes section in HEY Calendar for reminders, meeting notes, and personal reflections.
File Management(2 features)
Organized library of all received attachments in one place without digging through email threads.
Send large files via email. Recipients get a direct download link instead of file attachments.
Privacy & Security(2 features)
Blocks email tracking pixels and spy ware. Shows you who is spying on your activity 24/7/365.
Mandatory 2FA for all paying customers with support for hardware security keys and fingerprint readers.
Account Management(1 features)
Link multiple HEY accounts to view all emails in one place without logging in and out.
Cost Calculator
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Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 47 features at very easy complexity.