A reflection on over-engineering through a real example: building Strictland, a contract testing library for detecting message schema drift. The author describes how he planned multiple configurable storage and grouping strategies, only to realize the permutations created complexity without value. By applying a 'subtraction' mindset — removing imaginary features — he arrived at a single opinionated layout that also unlocked a useful Contract Registry pattern. The post distills two rules: adding imaginary features subtracts real value, and subtracting imaginary features adds real value. A practical framework is offered: generate ideas, evaluate tradeoffs, then deliberately cut what isn't needed before shipping.
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