# Terrible Habits of the Solo Developer

- Show: [The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast)
- Published: 2025-12-16
- Length: 53m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer
- Listen: https://agileembeddedpodcast.com/episodes/terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer-YhMRZCfT

## Summary

Jeff Gable and Luca Jani, both solo embedded software consultants, discuss the unique challenges of working alone, such as multitasking pressure and wearing multiple hats. They identify five bad habits: skipping documentation, avoiding code reviews, making poor architectural decisions, neglecting simulators, and failing to make code easy for others to take over. The hosts propose solutions including hiring third-party reviewers, using LLMs for low-level checks, forming mastermind groups, and enforcing self-imposed processes to maintain quality and sanity.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=0) Introduction: Can you do agile as a solo developer?
- [3:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=182) First principles of agile development and why they work for solo developers
- [6:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=363) Unique difficulties: Making progress in only one area at a time
- [10:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=623) Wearing three hats: Being leader, manager, and contributor simultaneously
- [13:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=818) Budget pressure and the challenge of 'nice to haves' that actually matter
- [21:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=1303) The importance of delivering something palpable after the first sprint
- [27:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=1678) Bad habit #1: No documentation because 'it's all in my head'
- [35:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=2134) Bad habit #2: No code reviews and potential solutions
- [40:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=2409) Using LLMs for code review: What works and what doesn't
- [44:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=2649) Bad habit #3: Idiosyncratic or terrible code architecture
- [49:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=2978) Bad habit #4: Not making it easy for other developers to take over
- [53:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer#t=3198) Bad habit #5: Neglecting simulators and development board support

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Jeff Gable (other)
- Luca Jani (other)
- FDA (other)
- EUMDR (other)
- QP framework (other)
- Mirosamic (other)
- Zephyr (other)
- Embedded Summit (other)
- Adelenbedded Academy (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [489: Constructive Cat](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-11-16-489-constructive-cat) (Embedded.fm)
- [78: Happy Cows](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-11-25-78-happy-cows) (Embedded.fm)
- [413: Puppy-Like Glee](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-05-19-413-puppy-like-glee) (Embedded.fm)
- [53: Being a Grownup Engineer (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-28-53-being-a-grownup-engineer-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [38: Blame the Monkey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-02-12-38-blame-the-monkey) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-12-16-terrible-habits-of-the-solo-developer. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast.