Embracing the 3-Month Rule: A Pragmatic Approach to Non-Scalable Solutions in Software Development
In the tech world, the saying often attributed to Paul Graham persists: “Do things that don’t scale.” While this advice resonates on a philosophical level, the practical application—especially in coding—often goes unexplored. After dedicating the past eight months to building an AI podcast platform, I’ve devised a straightforward framework I call the “3-Month Rule.” The core principle is simplicity: any unscalable hack is given a lifespan of just three months. If it proves its worth, it can be properly implemented; if not, it’s time to let it go.
As engineers, we often approach projects with the mentality of creating scalable solutions from the get-go. Concepts like design patterns, microservices, and distributed systems are the pinnacle of architectural planning, seemingly tailored for large companies. However, in a startup environment, chasing scalability too soon frequently leads to wasted time and resources. My 3-month framework compels me to write straightforward, albeit imperfect, code that facilitates rapid learning about users’ true needs.
My Current Infrastructure Hacks: Lessons Learned
1. Single VM Simplicity
Currently, all my services from the database to background jobs run on a single $40-a-month virtual machine. Sounds risky? Perhaps, but it has provided invaluable insights. Within just two months, I learned precisely what resources my platform requires—revealing that at peak performance, 4GB RAM suffices. Instead of managing complex Kubernetes setups, I gained practical experience quickly, especially when the system crashed. Each failure has taught me exactly where risks lie, debunking many preconceived notions.
2. Hardcoded Configurations
Instead of utilizing configuration files, I have hardcoded values throughout my application. For example:
python
PRICE_TIER_1 = 9.99
PRICE_TIER_2 = 19.99
MAX_USERS = 100
AI_MODEL = "gpt-4"
Every tweak requires a redeployment, which ironically has become a hidden advantage. By allowing me to search through my entire codebase for configuration values in seconds, I can easily track price changes via Git history. In three months, I’ve modified these constants only a few times, proving that creating an entire configuration service would have been unnecessary.
3. SQLite for Production Use
Interestingly, SQLite serves as my database for a multi-user web
One Comment
This post offers a refreshingly pragmatic perspective on balancing agility and scalability in early-stage development. The “3-Month Rule” is a compelling way to formalize the often gut-driven decision to implement quick hacks versus adopting scalable solutions. I appreciate the emphasis on rapid learning and resource efficiency—especially the idea that, in a startup environment, immediate validation often trumps perfect architecture.
Your experience with using a single VM and hardcoded configs illustrates how hands-on experimentation can reveal what truly matters for growth, rather than relying solely on theoretical best practices. It’s interesting to see how such “non-scalable” approaches act as a foundation for informed decision-making later on.
One thought I’d add is that, while quick hacks are valuable in the short term, keeping track of their limitations—like potential technical debt—is crucial. Perhaps integrating simple monitoring or documentation, even during these hack phases, can ensure smoother transitions when scaling becomes necessary. Balancing the “do things that don’t scale” mentality with disciplined tracking can help maintain agility without accumulating unmanageable complexity down the line.