Case studies

Projects

Each one written as problem → approach → decisions → outcome.

• 2026 · Lead ArchitectUnblocking the logon screenThe Windows logon screen could freeze for up to two minutes with no cancel option. Making it interruptible, once the timeout was tightened enough that returning early was safe.c# · .net · com interop · win32 · 3 min read
• 2026 · Lead ArchitectWhite-labelling at compile timeOne Windows product, several customer brands, one source tree. The brand reaches into assembly metadata, installers, registry paths and the COM class registered with Windows, and all of it is set at build time.c# · msbuild · wix · powershell · 3 min read
• 2026 · Lead ArchitectOne device, two ownersA hardware token that allows one connection at a time, which both Windows and our own service need. Getting them to take turns, then tracking down the failure that was left.c# · pc/sc · fido2 · webauthn · 3 min read
• 2017 · Lead Developer and ArchitectA number that was also moneyStorage over an account's plan was billed by the gigabyte, so a usage figure in DynamoDB had to stay in step with a metered quantity on a Stripe subscription, updated on every upload and delete, with no transaction spanning the two. Deriving the charge from the counter, and leaning on the billing cycle so the two only had to agree by the time the invoice was cut.dynamodb · aws lambda · node.js · stripe · 4 min read