About Me
I'm Zachary Ford — a systems‑minded developer and ecosystem builder focused on creating local‑first tools that stay fast, reliable, and useful long after release. I care about modular design, predictable behavior, and engineering that respects both the user and the hardware it runs on. Most of my work lives at the intersection of Rust, JavaScript, and practical systems thinking, where small, intentional tools can scale into a cohesive ecosystem.
The Approach
I'm based in Warwick, balancing systems engineering with family life and a long-term commitment to building software that actually lasts. My work is shaped by predictable behavior, modular structure, and a focus on tools that stay fast and dependable over time.
I design around practical constraints: resource efficiency, local-first execution, and architectures that scale without becoming fragile. My flagship project, SnapDock, reflects this mindset — a focused, reliable workspace built to be extended, understood, and trusted.
I value sustainable engineering over trends. Whether I'm building tools, refining workflows, or supporting others through consulting, the goal is always the same — create systems that are straightforward to use, easy to maintain, and resilient enough to grow with the people who rely on them.
The Philosophy
My work is built around a simple idea: software should respect the user, the machine it runs on, and the time of the person maintaining it. I build tools that stay fast, dependable, and useful without relying on cloud services, heavy frameworks, or fragile abstractions.
Local‑First by Default
I prefer systems that run on your machine, not someone else’s. Local‑first tools are faster, more reliable, and give users full control over their data. This principle shapes everything from SnapDock to my CLI utilities.
Small Pieces, Strong Foundations
I build systems from small, focused components that can be extended or replaced without friction. Modularity keeps projects maintainable and allows the ecosystem to grow naturally without becoming brittle.
Performance Without Complexity
Rust and JavaScript form the backbone of my work — fast where it matters, flexible where it counts. I aim for efficient systems that stay understandable and predictable, without unnecessary layers or hidden behavior.
Built to Last
Trends come and go, but well‑designed tools stay useful for years. I focus on long‑term reliability, predictable behavior, and codebases that can evolve without breaking the people who rely on them.
Technical Expertise
My work spans desktop applications, systems programming, and local‑first tooling. I focus on building small, dependable components that scale into a cohesive ecosystem — fast where it matters, predictable everywhere else.
- Desktop Application Engineering — Building cross‑platform tools using Electron, Wry, and modern UI systems. My flagship project, SnapDock, demonstrates my focus on predictable behavior, efficient rendering, and long‑term maintainability.
- Systems Programming — Using Rust to build fast, memory‑safe components, networking utilities, and backend logic. Tools like StaxPing and Temp_A1 reflect my approach to lightweight, reliable systems that run close to the metal.
- Local‑First Engineering — Designing tools that run on the user's machine, not the cloud. From SnapDock to MyStax, I prioritize speed, privacy, and resilience through local execution and minimal external dependencies.
- Architecture & Ecosystem Design — Crafting modular systems that grow naturally over time. I design tools to be composable, easy to maintain, and capable of evolving without breaking the people who rely on them.