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Approach · The Governance Laboratory

Budget Triage

Enterprise Architecture Exploration

Active Development

Overview

Personal finance management system built with enterprise-grade architecture patterns. Intentionally over-engineered to explore modern governance frameworks, observability patterns, and policy-based development.

This is a learning platform—using a practical application to deeply understand enterprise patterns that would be appropriate at larger scale.

Technical Stack

Runtime & Core

  • Bun (modern TypeScript runtime)
  • Express + Hono (dual API framework exploration)
  • PostgreSQL with type-safe schema generation (Kanel)
  • ts-rest for end-to-end type contracts

Infrastructure & Security

  • Infisical (self-hosted secrets management)
  • Machine identity patterns for automated access
  • Docker containerization
  • OpenTelemetry instrumentation throughout

Governance Framework

  • ADR-020 (Architecture Decision Records)
  • Runtime/config/toolchain compliance verification
  • Script governance rules
  • Cross-surface validation
  • Evidence-based logging

Key Patterns Explored

Architecture Decision Records (ADR)

Formal governance framework ensuring runtime, configuration, and toolchain compliance. Every architectural decision is documented, verified, and enforced.

This isn't typical for personal projects—it's practicing enterprise patterns where they matter at scale.

Secrets Management

Self-hosted Infisical with machine identity patterns. Automated validation, rotation policies, evidence-based audit logs. Production-grade security for learning purposes.

Type Safety End-to-End

Database schema → TypeScript types (Kanel), API contracts (ts-rest), frontend types. One source of truth, compile-time safety across all layers.

Observability

OpenTelemetry instrumentation throughout. Traces, metrics, structured logging. Understanding how to build observable systems from the ground up.

Why This Matters

Governance at Scale

ADR frameworks and policy-based development are crucial for large teams. Learning the patterns in a controlled environment.

Security Best Practices

Secrets management, machine identity, audit logging—production security patterns in practice.

Modern TypeScript Ecosystem

Bun, modern frameworks, type-safe patterns. Staying current with evolving JavaScript/TypeScript landscape.

Observability Mindset

Building systems that are observable from day one. OpenTelemetry, structured logging, traces.

Development Philosophy

This project is intentionally over-engineered for its scope. The goal isn't to ship the perfect budgeting app—it's to deeply understand enterprise patterns that become essential at scale.

Would you use ADR governance for a personal project in production? Probably not. But understanding ADR frameworks by implementing them teaches patterns applicable to large codebases, distributed teams, and regulated environments.

Projects as learning experiences—using practical applications to explore theoretical and architectural concepts.

Technical Depth

This project demonstrates understanding of:

  • Enterprise governance frameworks (ADR)
  • Secrets management and security patterns
  • Type-safe architecture across boundaries
  • Observability instrumentation (OpenTelemetry)
  • Modern TypeScript ecosystem and tooling
  • Policy-based development and compliance verification
  • Infrastructure as code and containerization