---
title: "Addition by subtraction in software design"
url: https://daily.dev/posts/addition-by-subtraction-in-software-design-kieevirpc
source_url: https://www.architecture-weekly.com/p/addition-by-subtraction-in-software
type: article
source: "Architecture Weekly"
published: 2026-07-06T13:28:59.877Z
updated: 2026-07-06T18:21:41.979Z
tags: ["general-programming", "architecture"]
reading_time: 9
upvotes: 4
comments: 0
language: en
---

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# Addition by subtraction in software design

**[Architecture Weekly](https://daily.dev/sources/architectureweekly)** · 9 min read · 4 upvotes · 0 comments

## Summary

A reflection on the trap of over-engineering through feature addition, using the author's own experience building Strictland, a contract testing library. While designing file storage and grouping strategies for message schema snapshots, the author fell into the classic trap of imagining too many configuration options. After a self-imposed sanity check, they stripped the feature set down to a single opinionated layout, which paradoxically unlocked a cleaner design — a Contract Registry — and opened doors to more meaningful future features. The post distills two rules: adding imaginary features subtracts real value, and subtracting imaginary features adds real value. A practical six-step framework is offered: generate ideas, evaluate tradeoffs, define solutions, stop and rethink, subtract aggressively, then ship and gather feedback.

## Full article

daily.dev links to this article rather than hosting it. Read it at the original source: <https://www.architecture-weekly.com/p/addition-by-subtraction-in-software>

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---

Tags: [#general-programming](https://daily.dev/tags/general-programming), [#architecture](https://daily.dev/tags/architecture)

[View this post on daily.dev](https://daily.dev/posts/addition-by-subtraction-in-software-design-kieevirpc)