Software Design: Tidy First? is a Substack publication by Kent Beck, a well-known figure in software engineering and the originator of test-driven development. The newsletter focuses on software design principles and the craft of programming, often framed through personal essays and analogies rather than formal instruction.
The core content is short-form writing that explores how developers structure code, manage complexity, and think about their work. Posts like “Take My Toil, Leave Me My Struggle” use thought experiments such as RoboGym to examine what should be automated and what should remain a human effort. The writing is reflective and opinionated, not a how-to guide.
It suits experienced developers, engineering leads, and anyone interested in the philosophy and practice of software design. Readers who enjoy Kent Beck’s books or want a quieter, essay-driven take on programming culture will find it valuable. Those looking for tutorials or code examples may not.
The newsletter is free to read with an email subscription, and some posts are behind a paywall after a preview. Subscribing gives access to the full archive and new posts. It is best read as a regular short essay rather than a reference manual.
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