Episode 1 of The Woody Show is live. A 10-minute kickoff on who I am, why this show exists, Simplicity-First, and what I’m doing at the Update Conference in Prague next week.
Listen: https://thewoodyshow.substack.com/p/chris-woody-woodruff-on-simplicity
#SoftwareArchitecture #SimplicityFirst #dotnet #CSharp #WebAPI #TechLeadership
Simplicity isn’t just smart architecture.
It’s sustainable architecture.
In my latest essay, I explore how Simplicity-First aligns with the Green Software Principle.
In a world increasingly shaped by software, the principles guiding how we build and maintain digital systems carry immense weight, not just for performance or usability, but for the planet. Two movements at the forefront of responsible software design are the Simplicity-First initiative, which champ
Excited to share I’m writing a new book:
Software Architecture Made Simple: A 'Simplicity-First' Approach to Software in the Age of Complexity
Releasing later in 2026, it brings together years of my thinking into one source on architecture, construction, agility, philosophy, ethics, and sustainability.
https://www.woodruff.dev/bringing-simplicity-first-to-the-page-my-upcoming-book/
I am excited to share some big news. In the second half of 2026, my new book, titled Software Architecture Made Simple: A 'Simplicity-First' Approach to Software in the Age of Complexity, will be released. This book compiles years of blog articles, newsletters, and social media posts, consolidating them into a single, focused source of knowledge.
We were told SPAs are the future.
But what if that story was wrong?
In my latest Simplicity-First essay, I dig into the controversial clash shaping modern web architecture.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/kill-bloat-controversial-clash-between-spas-rendering-woodruff-duhnc/
For over a decade, the software industry has been captivated by the allure of Single Page Applications (SPAs). Advocates promised us faster user experiences, happier developers, and a "modern" architecture that would render server-side rendering obsolete.
Simplicity Scales, Complexity Crumbles
Big systems don’t fail from traffic. They fail from tangled complexity.
Lean, simple .NET code is what truly scales.
The Craft of Saying No
The hardest skill in software architecture?
Not adding more.
Every “yes” piles on complexity.
Every wise “no” protects simplicity.
Saying no is what keeps systems alive.
Simplicity is Sustainable
Complex systems burn energy both human and computational.
Simple .NET code runs leaner, faster, and greener.
The simplest solution isn’t just easier to maintain, it’s better for the planet.
The Illusion of Future Proofing
We over-engineer for “someday” and end up building systems nobody needs.
Simple code that solves today’s problem is always the better bet.
#SimplicityFirst #DotNet #SoftwareArchitecture #DeveloperLife #TechLeadership #BuildBetterSoftware #CodeSmarter
Green Software Starts at the Keyboard
Every keystroke matters. Inefficient code burns extra CPU cycles, memory, and energy.
Cleaner .NET code = faster apps + a greener planet.
Simple code is sustainable code.
#DotNet #GreenSoftware #SimplicityFirst #DeveloperLife #SoftwareDesign
Does Your Code Pass the 2 AM Test?
Imagine this: your system crashes at 2 AM.
Can you, or anyone on your team, read the code and fix it half-asleep?
If the answer is no, you’ve got complexity, not simplicity.
Readable, obvious, boring code is underrated.
In fact, it might save your weekend.
Simplicity is 2 AM resilience.
Chris Woody Woodruff