The BareStack Manifesto
Our philosophy on building simple, honest software
Core Philosophy
Mission: We build simple, honest, "anti-bloat" software for everyone tired of complicated, expensive tools.
Core Principles:- Minimalism: Less is more. We focus only on the absolute essential features.
- Performance: Our tools are lightweight and fast.
- Simplicity: No complex menus, no confusing settings. The UI is intuitive and clean.
- Control: We prioritize open-source, self-hostable software so users own their data and tools.
- Honesty: No venture capital, no "growth-hacking." Just building good, sustainable tools. Built by one person using AI, transparent about the process.
- Democratic Access: Free for as long as we can sustain it. Open-source forever so anyone can self-host.
Target Audience
Primary: Anyone tired of bloated, expensive SaaS products. Solopreneurs, freelancers, small teams (1-10 people), hobbyists, and builders.
Secondary: Open-source enthusiasts, developers, and people who value simplicity over features.
Pain Point: They're overwhelmed and frustrated by tools like Salesforce, Odoo, and HubSpot. They want software that gets out of their way instead of demanding they become software experts.
Brand Voice
Keywords: Direct, Honest, Irreverent, Effective, No-Bullshit
Tone:- Casual and conversational, like talking to a friend who builds software.
- We're transparent about being built by one person using AI. No pretending to be a big company.
- We challenge industry norms without being mean-spirited.
Monetization Philosophy
Current Model: Free for everyone. Hosted on a single Hetzner server (4 CPU, 8GB RAM, 80GB SSD).
Long-Term Plan:- Primary: Keep it free as long as possible. If server costs become unsustainable, we'll offer a "Pay-What-You-Want" donation model (think "Buy Me a Coffee").
- Always: The self-hosted version remains 100% open-source and free forever. No forced pricing, no paywalls.
- Optional Future: A BareStack Cloud waitlist for users who want hosted access without setting up their own server.
No Ads. No VC. No Growth-Hacking.
Design System
Aesthetics: Clean, simple, minimalist, "zen-like," lots of white space.
UI/UX Principles:- Obvious by Default: Users should never have to hunt for a feature.
- Fewer Clicks: Accomplish core tasks in the minimum number of steps.
- Calm & Focused: The UI is free of clutter and distractions.
Inspiration: Odoo (clean, grid-based app layout) and Twenty (excellent typography, generous white space).
Building software that doesn't suck, one tool at a time.