I have taken over codebases and had codebases taken from me. The experience in both directions has converged on one principle: a durable system communicates intent, not just implementation.
What durable looks like
Naming that explains purpose. Architecture that encodes constraints. Tests that document behavior, not implementation. The goal is a codebase where a newcomer can form a correct mental model in an afternoon.
The hardest part
Documentation rots. Comments lie. The only truthful documentation is the code itself. That's why naming and structure matter more than any README.
Originally published on ysndmr.com.
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