Contingency planning with LLM chat

One of the ways I use LLM chat is as a thinking partner for contingency planning.

I’m not trying to predict failure or obsess over worst-case scenarios. I just like knowing that if something I rely on changes or goes away, I won’t be starting from zero. That kind of preparation gives me peace of mind.

A recent example: Micro.blog

I really enjoy microblogging there. It fits for my short-post workflow—low-friction, supportive community, open web, works with POSSE. I don’t think Micro.blog is going anywhere, and I’m happy using it today. But services change. Companies shut down. Stuff happens.

So I ran a simple exercise with ChatGPT:

If the micro.blog service were to go away, what are my options to continue posting on my own? And how disruptive would it be? I do use a custom domain and back up to GitHub.

That led to a quick assessment of my current setup: custom domain, GitHub backups, separation between my canonical site and my notes, slug structure, and a clear path to self-hosting if I ever needed it. The result wasn’t a to-do list—it was reassurance. Full chat here if you’re interested.

I didn’t need to take action. I just needed to know I could. I also had it

That’s the pattern I keep coming back to. These chats aren’t about reacting; they’re about calmly checking my footing. Most of the time, the answer is “you’re fine—carry on.” And that’s exactly the outcome I’m hoping for.