Embracing the 3-Month Rule: A Framework for Agile Development

In the ever-evolving arena of startup development, one piece of wisdom often echoed by tech entrepreneur Paul Graham stands out: “Do things that don’t scale.” While this advice is widely acknowledged, the challenge lies in how to effectively implement it, especially in coding practices. After eight months of building my AI podcast platform, I’ve devised a straightforward framework that I like to call the “3-Month Rule.” This approach allows every unscalable hack to exist for a limited time—just three months. At the end of this period, each hack is assessed for its viability: does it prove its worth and transition into a robust solution, or does it get phased out?

Learning to Prioritize Practical Solutions Over Scalable Architecture

As engineers, we often find ourselves entrenched in the mindset of creating scalable solutions right from the start. We get caught up in designing complex systems—think microservices and distributed architectures—all in an effort to accommodate millions of potential users. However, this big-picture thinking can be a detriment in a startup environment, potentially leading to costly procrastination. The 3-Month Rule nudges me towards crafting simple yet effective “bad” code that can be shipped quickly, providing real insights into user needs.

Innovative Approaches That Drive Learning

Here’s a glimpse into my current infrastructure hacks. You might be surprised to see how effective they really are:

1. One VM for All Functions

I run my entire operation—database, web server, background tasks, and even caching—on a single $40/month virtual machine. Sure, this setup lacks redundancy and involves manual backups, but it has delivered crucial insights into my actual resource requirements. Instead of spinning up complicated infrastructure, I’ve learned my system peaks at around 4GB of RAM, saving time and resources by avoiding unnecessary complexities.

2. Hardcoded Configurations

Constants like PRICE_TIER_1 = 9.99 are scattered throughout my codebase, eliminating the need for external configuration files. While this approach seems less organized, it allows me to quickly find and track changes through version control. In the last three months, I’ve adjusted my configurations just three times. In terms of time saved, that translates into mere minutes of redeployment rather than extensive hours of engineering work.

3. Utilizing SQLite for Production

Yes, my multi-user web app runs on SQLite, which handles