dilemma.dev

A portfolio of decisions made under pressure -- design, code, and the geometry of choice.

Index 2026 / Selected Works
01 Infrastructure

Stratum Pipeline

A distributed data ingestion layer for high-throughput event streams. Built on a custom partitioned log with deterministic replay semantics. Reduced median ingest latency by 64% over the prior system.

Read case study
02 Design Tool

Wedge Editor

A vector design tool exploring constraint-based layout. Geometric primitives are first-class citizens; alignment is computed, not nudged. Released as a research preview to a closed cohort of typographers.

Visit project
03 API

Lattice API

A fine-grained authorization service with policy-as-code primitives. Fields, rows, and relationships are all addressable. Used in production by three early-stage teams.

View documentation
04 Identity

Forme Foundry

A visual identity system for an architectural practice. Modular wordmark, generative letterhead, and a typographic specimen book printed on dense uncoated stock.

See the system
05 Research

Endgame Notes

A long-form essay on chess endgames and engineering trade-offs. The constraint of fewer pieces forces a sharper mode of thinking, equally true of legacy systems with little remaining surface area.

Read essay
06 Protocol

Quadrant Protocol

A specification for partitioned consensus across four-region deployments. Trades a small amount of theoretical availability for a much sharper failure mode.

Read specification
07 Algorithm

Hatch Solver

A pathfinding algorithm with bounded backtracking, written for an offline mapping engine. Inspired by hatching techniques in technical drafting.

Open source
08 Print

Concentric Press

A small-run risograph imprint focused on architectural ephemera. Twelve titles published, distributed through three independent bookstores.

Browse catalogue
09 Telemetry

Acuity Telemetry

A lightweight telemetry library for embedded devices. Sub-1KB footprint, structured logs, and a simple ingest contract.

Read documentation
10 Editorial

Margin Notes

A monthly journal of working notes and unfinished sketches, distributed by email to a list of three hundred and four readers.

Subscribe
11 Tooling

Bisect CLI

A command-line utility for narrowing failures across a chain of dependent migrations. Two flags, one report, no configuration file.

Install
12 Studio

Ninth Square

A studio collaboration on spatial branding for a contemporary gallery, including a wayfinding system, signage, and a single permanent installation in concrete.

View collaboration