Core Principles
These five principles guide every decision we make at Vulcan.
1. AI-First, Not AI-Added
Every feature is designed with AI as a first-class citizen. AI isn't bolted on - it's woven into the fabric of every workflow.
What this means in practice
- Voice transcription is built into the quote creation flow
- AI evaluation happens automatically before sending quotes
- Smart suggestions appear contextually, not in a separate "AI" menu
2. Craftsman-Centric Design
We speak the language of craftsmen. Every screen, every interaction, every term is designed by and for people who work with their hands and run their own businesses.
What this means in practice
- Industry terminology, not generic business terms
- Workflows match how craftsmen actually work
- Features prioritized by real craftsman needs
3. Mobile-First, Desktop-Powerful
The field is where work happens. Our mobile experience is not a reduced version - it's a purpose-built tool that makes desktop users jealous.
What this means in practice
- Mobile app has full functionality, not a "lite" version
- Voice input as primary alternative to typing
- Offline-capable for job sites with poor connectivity
- Touch-optimized UI with large targets
4. Zero Learning Curve
If a user needs a manual, we've failed. Every feature must be discoverable and intuitive within seconds.
What this means in practice
- Progressive disclosure - show complexity only when needed
- Contextual help, not documentation
- Familiar patterns from consumer apps
- Guided workflows for complex tasks
5. Beautiful by Default
Aesthetics matter. Every screen must be visually stunning while remaining functionally perfect. Beauty and utility are not opposites.
What this means in practice
- Consistent design system across all screens
- Thoughtful animations that guide attention
- Professional appearance that impresses customers
- Dark mode and accessibility built-in
The Three Immovable Laws
"Every technical decision must be BEST-IN-CLASS, not 'good enough.'"
Law 1: Production-Grade from Day One
This is not a prototype. Every line of code must be maintainable in 3 years by developers who haven't started programming yet.
Law 2: Battle-Tested Dependencies Only
No experimental libraries. Every dependency must have:
- 10K+ GitHub stars (or equivalent ecosystem validation)
- Active maintenance (commits in last month)
- Production use by major companies
- Comprehensive documentation
Law 3: Security is Non-Negotiable
Every feature is secure by default:
- OAuth 2.0 JWT authentication
- Input validation everywhere
- Audit logging
- Automatic security patches through managed services