Why I Ditched ChatGPT for Claude (And Built My Entire Startup Stack Around It)
Most founders are building on broken foundations. They chain together AI tools like Christmas lights - one goes out, everything dies.
I did this too. Until I didn't.
Six months ago, I ripped ChatGPT out of my stack. Completely. Not because it's bad - it's not. But because I'm not building a hobby project. I'm building a business that needs to work.
Here's what happened when I went all-in on Claude, and why my entire ecosystem now speaks the same language.
The Breaking Point
You know that moment when your "AI-powered" workflow feels more like AI-broken? Mine hit during a client presentation. ChatGPT hallucinated numbers. Notion couldn't sync context. Canva generated branded materials that looked like they came from a different company.
Three tools. Three different realities. One very awkward silence.
I realised I wasn't using AI - I was managing AI. And management is overhead. Overhead kills startups.
Why Claude Won (And ChatGPT Lost)
Safety isn't sexy. Until it saves your ass.
Claude doesn't just generate better outputs. It generates reliable outputs. When I'm building client deliverables or internal processes, I need consistent quality. Not creative surprises.
ChatGPT feels like hiring a brilliant intern who sometimes shows up drunk. Claude feels like hiring a senior consultant who actually reads the brief.
The integration difference:
- ChatGPT: Bolt-on tool that fights your workflow
- Claude: Foundation that becomes your workflow
How I Built My Claude-First Stack
Notion: The Command Center
Every project lives in Notion. Every project thinks through Claude. I've built custom automations that:
- Generate project briefs from client calls
- Create technical documentation that doesn't suck
- Build content calendars that actually align with strategy
The magic? Claude maintains context across every database, every page, every property. My Notion doesn't just store information - it understands it.
Google Workspace: The Communication Layer
Email drafts that match my voice. Meeting summaries that capture decisions, not just words. Document reviews that spot gaps before clients do.
Claude integrates with Google like it was always meant to be there. No more copy-pasting between tools. No more context switching. Just seamless intelligence where I actually work.
Canva: The Brand Enforcer
Here's where it gets interesting. Claude doesn't just help me design - it helps me think about design. Brand guidelines become conversation. Visual strategy becomes dialogue.
I feed Claude my brand voice, positioning, and visual principles. It helps Canva execute with purpose, not just pixels.
Cursor: The Development Multiplier
Code that actually makes sense. Documentation that future-me won't hate. Architecture decisions that Claude can explain to my CTO.
The real win? Claude understands my codebase holistically. It's not just autocomplete - it's architectural thinking.
The Ecosystem Effect
When everything speaks Claude, everything speaks to each other.
My Notion brief influences my Canva designs. My Google docs reference my codebase. My development decisions inform my content strategy.
It's not just connected - it's coherent.
The Business Impact
Time saved: 15+ hours per week
Quality improvement: Measurable (client feedback proves it)
Context switching: Eliminated
Cognitive load: Dramatically reduced
But the real impact? I'm building instead of managing. Creating instead of coordinating. Thinking instead of troubleshooting.
Why I'm Never Going Back
OpenAI builds for everyone. Anthropic builds for builders.
ChatGPT optimises for virality. Claude optimises for reliability.
ChatGPT wants to be your friend. Claude wants to be your tool.
I don't need AI that impresses people at parties. I need AI that ships products.
The Bottom Line
Most founders treat AI like a nice-to-have. A productivity boost. A competitive edge.
Wrong.
AI is infrastructure. And infrastructure either works reliably or kills your business slowly.
I chose Claude because I chose to build on solid ground.
Your stack is only as strong as its weakest link. Make sure that link can think.