Operating Manual

A collection of frameworks and mental models that I actually use when building products. Written down mostly so I don't forget them.

Product · Feb 2026

Why I never write 10-page specs

If you need 10 pages to explain what you're building, you don't actually know what you're building yet. How to align a team with wireframes and a 1-pager.

 Startups · Jan 2026

How I decide when to kill a project

Unit economics don't care about your ego. The exact mathematical threshold I use to decide whether to pivot, push through, or shut it down.

 Engineering · Nov 2025

The only 2 metrics that matter in the first 30 days

Stop looking at vanity user signups. Why I only track activation velocity and day-7 retention when launching V1.