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 — which is why naming and structure matter more than any README.
Originally published on ysndmr.com.
