About Me
I'm Zachary Ford — a systems‑minded developer who builds practical tools with long-term reliability in mind. I care about clarity, modularity, and engineering that respects both the user and the hardware it runs on. My work is grounded in real-world needs, not hype cycles, and I aim to create software that stays useful years after the first commit.
The Approach
I'm based in Warwick, balancing a deep interest in systems engineering with raising three incredible kids. My work is shaped by clarity, reliability, and long-term maintainability — principles that guide every tool I build and every system I design.
I focus on resource-efficient design, modular architecture, and practical engineering. My flagship project, SnapDock, reflects this philosophy: a clean, predictable, and composable approach to containerized tooling. It’s built to be understood, extended, and trusted.
I value sustainable engineering over trends. Whether I’m building tools, refining workflows, or helping others through consulting, my goal is always the same — create systems that are simple to use, easy to reason about, and built to last.
Engineering Principles
Handoff‑Ready Engineering
Good code isn’t just functional — it’s understandable. I design systems that another developer can pick up without friction: clear structure, predictable behavior, and documentation that explains the “why,” not just the “what.” Every project should be maintainable long after the first release.
Resource Respect & Resilience
I build for real‑world conditions — unreliable networks, limited hardware, and long‑term use. By prioritizing local capability, efficient data flow, and minimal overhead, I create tools that stay fast, stable, and trustworthy no matter where they run.
Composable Logic
I design systems as interchangeable parts, not rigid monoliths. Composable logic makes it easy to extend, replace, or upgrade components without breaking the whole. It reduces technical debt and keeps systems adaptable as needs evolve.
Technical Expertise
My work spans the full stack, with a focus on building cohesive ecosystems where every layer supports the next. I move comfortably between low‑level systems logic, automation layers, and user‑facing interfaces — always aiming for clarity, reliability, and long‑term maintainability.
- Desktop & Application Development — Building performant, cross‑platform tools with predictable behavior and clean state management. My flagship project, SnapDock, reflects this approach through modular design and a focus on reliability.
- Systems Programming — Leveraging Rust for memory‑safe, high‑performance components, automation engines, and backend logic that needs to be fast, predictable, and resilient.
- Workflow Automation — Designing modular tools and agents that streamline development and operations while maintaining strict data control. I focus on predictable pipelines and composable automation layers.
- Infrastructure & DevOps — Managing secure home‑lab environments, networking, and deployment pipelines using Docker, Nginx, virtualization, and container‑first workflows. I build systems that are easy to deploy, easy to reason about, and easy to recover.