Embracing the 3-Month Rule: A Pragmatic Approach to Unscalable Solutions in Tech
In the dynamic world of startups and tech innovation, the mantra “do things that don’t scale” is often touted by thought leaders like Paul Graham. However, the challenge lies in translating this advice into actionable strategies, particularly in the realm of software development. After spending eight months developing my AI podcast platform, I’ve formulated a straightforward framework that I affectionately call the “3-Month Rule.” The premise is simple: each unscalable hack is given a lifespan of three months. At the end of this period, it either demonstrates definitive value or is gracefully removed from the equation.
As engineers, there’s a strong inclination to craft solutions that are scalable from the outset. We often obsess over design patterns, microservices, and sophisticated architectures capable of handling vast user bases. Yet, when you’re in the startup phase, this mindset can lead to unnecessary complexity. Scalable solutions can sometimes equate to expensive procrastination, preparing for challenges that may never materialize. My 3-Month Rule compels me to focus on creating straightforward, albeit imperfect, code that allows me to truly engage with user needs.
Current Infrastructure Hacks: Why They Work
1. Consolidated Resources on a Single VM
Imagine running your database, web server, background jobs, and caching all on a single $40-per-month virtual machine. That’s my reality—no redundancy and manual backups to my local machine. While it might appear reckless at first glance, this setup has significantly enhanced my understanding of actual resource requirements far beyond any theoretical capacity-planning document. My platform, which I presumed would need vast RAM for AI processes, peaks at a mere 4GB. Had I opted for a complex Kubernetes architecture, I would have been engrossed in managing unused containers.
Each time the server crashes—an occurrence I’ve experienced twice—I gain invaluable insights into vulnerabilities I hadn’t anticipated.
2. Hardcoded Constants Throughout
Within my codebase, critical values like pricing tiers and user limits are hardcoded with no extensive configuration files or environment variables. This approach allows rapid modifications tracked directly through version control. Rather than spending a week engineering a separate configuration service, my three adjustments over the last three months took just minutes to deploy. This simple strategy has saved me significant engineering hours.
3. Leveraging SQLite for Multi-User Access
Yes, my multi-user web app operates
