Principles

Standards that govern how systems are designed, built, and shipped — and how work is accepted or declined.

1. Quiet > Loud
The best systems don’t announce themselves. They operate quietly, reliably, and with precision, solving real problems without drawing attention.
2. Logic Before Layers
Every system should make sense before it looks good. Function, reason, and testable structure come first.
3. Respect the Complexity
Legal, tax, and compliance systems carry real consequences. Tools in this space should respect that complexity without bloating the user experience.
4. Experiments First
Products aren’t launched — they’re tested. Every build starts as a deliberate experiment, designed to validate usefulness before scale.
5. Ownership Thinking
Systems are built to last, scale, or be retired cleanly. No unmanaged tech debt. No throwaway work. Just deliberate architecture.
6. Lean, Sharp, Focused
No unnecessary features. No overpromises. No performative noise. Just useful software, built carefully and shipped intentionally.