Embracing Non-Scalability: My 3-Month Framework for Optimizing Development
In the startup world, there is a well-known mantra from Paul Graham: “Do things that don’t scale.” However, the challenge lies in translating this advice into practical coding strategies. After eight months of developing my AI podcast platform, I have crafted a robust framework to navigate this dilemma: every unscalable solution is given a trial period of three months. At the end of this period, we either refine and integrate what has proven effective or retire it for good.
As engineers, we often lean towards crafting scalable architectures from the outset—think microservices, distributed systems, and the like. While such designs can be awe-inspiring, they frequently represent the mindset of larger organizations rather than early-stage startups. In a startup environment, aiming for scalability too soon often leads to unnecessary complexities, stalling progress and absorbing resources without immediate returns.
My three-month rule encourages me to build straightforward, albeit imperfect, solutions that deliver results and provide insights into user behavior.
Current Infrastructure Improvizations and Their Hidden Benefits
1. All-in-One VM Setup
I operate my database, web server, background jobs, and Redis on a single $40/month virtual machine (VM). While this lacks redundancy and relies on manual backups, it has been an enlightening choice.
Why is this approach advantageous? Within just two months, I gained a clearer understanding of my actual resource consumption than any detailed capacity management plan could have provided. For instance, my platform’s peak utilization stands at 4GB of RAM. The intricate Kubernetes setup I almost initiated would have merely served to manage idle resources.
Each time this system crashes (which has happened twice), I receive valuable information about the failures—insights that often contradict my initial expectations.
2. Hardcoded Configurations
Instead of utilizing configuration files or environment variables, I’ve opted for simple constants throughout my code:
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PRICE_TIER_1 = 9.99
PRICE_TIER_2 = 19.99
MAX_USERS = 100
AI_MODEL = "gpt-4"
This setup allows quick lookups and thorough tracking via Git history, given that any configuration change requires a redeployment. Rather than spending a week developing a complex configuration service, I have saved valuable engineering hours for the rare instances when I adjust these values—resulting in only 15 minutes of redeployment compared to an extensive
One Comment
Thank you for sharing such a compelling perspective on embracing the “non-scalable” approach early on. Your three-month rule resonates deeply, especially in the context of startup environments where rapid iteration and learning are paramount. I appreciate how you’ve demonstrated that seemingly naïve or simplistic setups—like a single VM or hardcoded configs—can actually provide invaluable insights into real-world usage patterns and system behaviors.
This pragmatic mindset of focusing on what works initially, then refining based on actual data, often leads to more resilient and well-understood architectures down the line. It reminds me of the principle “Make it work, then make it better,” emphasizing that the cost of premature optimization can hinder progress. By prioritizing speed and learning over perfect scalability, you’re fostering a culture of experimentation that’s crucial for early-stage innovation.
Have you considered, down the line, how to systematically transition from these initial setups to more scalable solutions once validated? It could be helpful to document these learning phases, ensuring that as you evolve the architecture, you retain the agility and understanding gained through these unscalable experiments. Overall, your framework offers a valuable blueprint for balancing immediate needs with long-term sustainability.