Insights
Straight answers on building software.
Practical notes on scoping, building and running software, from a principal engineer.
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Legacy rescue · Guide
Rewrite or rescue? What to do with software nobody wants to touch
Most software that nobody wants to touch should be rescued, not rewritten. Old versions, missing tests and missing documentation can all be fixed in safe, tested step while the system stays live. A rewrite is only worth...
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Agentic development · Guide
What is agentic development? A business owner’s guide
Agentic development means an experienced senior software engineer directing AI development agents to build websites, platforms and bespoke software. The engineer stays responsible for the decisions and reviews what the a...
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MVP · Cost & time
How long should an MVP take to build?
With a senior engineer using agentic tooling, many MVPs can be delivered in around four weeks. The real answer varies a lot from project to project, because it depends on what the minimum viable product actually needs to...
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Security · Organisation & Understanding
Yesterday's PHP vulnerability was a reminder: website security is about ownership, not platforms
Yesterday's critical PHP vulnerabilities demonstrated why knowing your infrastructure matters. A secure website isn't simply about which platform you use, but who's responsible for maintaining it.
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Agentic development · Opinion
Agentic Development vs Vibe Coding: What’s the Difference?
Vibe coding trusts AI to build software with minimal engineering oversight. Agentic development uses AI to accelerate a software engineering process that is still directed, reviewed and owned by experienced engineers. Th...
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Agentic development · Guide
What is agentic development? A business owner’s guide
Agentic development means an experienced senior software engineer directing AI development agents to build websites, platforms and bespoke software. The engineer stays responsible for the decisions and reviews what the a...