SYSTEM NOTES // REVISION 1

The Soft Error manifesto.

“Software that respects your time and your brain.”

Eight operating principles. Short enough to remember. Specific enough to remove a feature.

NO. / PRINCIPLE / PRACTICE

> PRINCIPLE_01
Solve one thing properly.

A clear problem creates a clear product. Adjacent possibilities can wait outside.
> PRINCIPLE_02
Delete before adding.

Every feature has a cost in attention, explanation and maintenance. Removal is product work.
> PRINCIPLE_03
Make privacy boring and automatic.

Good defaults beat settings theatre. Collect less, explain clearly and never hide the exit.
> PRINCIPLE_04
Use AI only when it creates meaningful value.

A model is not a product strategy. Compare it with a well-designed non-AI baseline.
> PRINCIPLE_05
Treat speed as part of the experience.

Waiting is interface. Ship less code, do less work and keep the system responsive.
> PRINCIPLE_06
Explain what the system is doing.

State should be visible. Errors should be useful. Progress should mean something.
> PRINCIPLE_07
Add personality without adding friction.

A product can be human without interrupting the task to perform its personality.
> PRINCIPLE_08
Build products users can own, understand and leave.

Respect includes portability, legible terms and an ordinary way to stop using the thing.

> END OF FILE. Now go delete something.

The promise

Make it useful. Make it yours. Ship it.

Then listen, remove the bit that got in the way and try again.