The Check I Hadn't Written
In July I said only a person could catch a design problem in an interface. I have since written the check that catches it. Some things still need a person, that example was not one of them.
I help your team get better
at building software.
I'm Christoph, an independent consultant. I work alongside your engineers on technical debt, quality and the practices that make improvements last, rather than handing over a report and leaving.
Because good software isn't just code, it's care.
Tell me what you're dealing withHow I Can Help You
Technical debt is slowing you down
I won't just audit your code and leave you with a report. I'll work directly with your team to understand the debt, prioritise what matters most and guide you through sustainable improvements that keep your business running.
Your team wants to get better
Simply handing over recommendations and walking away wouldn't improve much for you. I work directly with you and your team, providing hands-on guidance through every challenge.
You’re growing faster than your systems
Scaling isn't just about adding more people or servers. It's about building systems and processes that grow with you. I'll be there as your organisation evolves, providing ongoing guidance and support.
A project is in trouble
When projects are in crisis, you need someone who'll roll up their sleeves and work through the problems with you, not someone who points out what's wrong from the sidelines.
How I Work
Good software comes from good relationships, not good technology.
I don't show up with a predetermined solution or the latest framework. I show up ready to listen, understand your actual challenges and work shoulder-to-shoulder with you to solve them using reliable tools and methods.
Boring technology, exciting outcomes.
I emphasise proven and well-understood technologies that your team can hire for, maintain and sleep well at night knowing they work. The excitement comes from solving real problems, not from using the shiniest new framework.
Honest assessments, realistic timelines.
I'll tell you the truth about what I see, even when it's uncomfortable. If something can't be fixed, I'll say so. If it'll take longer than you'd like, I'll explain why. Trust starts with honesty.
Writing
Most of what I think about software ends up here first. Quality, testing and what changes now that we work alongside agents.
Feedback Needs Somewhere to Land
Feedback works on people because a person keeps what they learn. That is why writing a convention down ever worked. An agent keeps nothing, so every loop that used to close inside somebody's head now has to close in the repository.
A Rule Is Not the Last Step
Moving a convention out of a document and into the linter turns a request into a rule. There is one more step after that. I wrote one writing rule down for ten years and it changed nothing. Now I decide it once and never think about it again.
Products
Alongside consulting, I build and write things you can use on your own.
Build Your Own Spreadsheet
A book that test-drives a real spreadsheet component from the first design idea to a working product.
Very Good Calendar Sync
A macOS app that keeps your calendars in sync on your own device, with no servers and no third party accounts.
Behind Very Good Software
Hi, I'm Christoph, the founder of Very Good Software. I've spent over 15 years helping teams improve their codebases, architecture and development practices.
This work is personal. I believe good software comes from care, clarity and consistency. I'm here to help you get there.
Interested in working together?
Let's talk about how Very Good Software can support you and your team.
Get in Touch