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SOFT-MAN DEVELOPMENT GARAGE
Open for projects

Software,
crafted in the garage.

We build websites, web applications, and mobile apps. A small studio working hands on, end to end, one project at a time.

See our services Get in touch
smdevgarage · status
$ garage status
→ open · accepting new work
→ stack · Rails · TS · React Native
→ cloud · AWS · Cloudflare
→ tz · EET / EEST · overlaps EU + US
→ response · within 2 business days
$ in flight
oseli · in development
○ closed beta
○ public launch · autumn 2026
$ _
// Why us

Six things teams keep coming back for.

Talk to the builder.

No account managers, no proxies. You communicate directly with the engineer writing the code.

· core

Hand-built, not assembled.

Every project gets dedicated attention from start to finish. No template work, no white-label resells.

Phases, not surprises.

Engagements split into short, fixed-scope phases. Each one has a defined deliverable and budget, and you can redirect, extend, or wrap up after any of them.

Production-grade from day one.

Tested, monitored, documented. Not a prototype to throw away.

Modern, focused stack.

Tools chosen for fit, not for trend chasing.

Long-term support.

Maintenance, updates, and on-call response are part of how we work.

// What we do

Custom software, built to fit.

Five core service areas. Most engagements fall into one of these. If you are not sure which fits, get in touch.

See the full service list
01
Custom Builds
Websites, web apps, APIs, and mobile apps from spec to production.
02
Tune-Ups
Refactor, optimize, modernize existing systems without rewriting.
03
Engine Swaps
Full modernization and replatforming of legacy stacks.
04
Test Drives
MVPs and prototypes in weeks, not months.
05
Pit Crew
Maintenance retainers and on-call response.
// Recent work

A few projects from the bay.

A snapshot across web, mobile, and platform work. Client names stay anonymized when projects are under NDA.

Ask for references →
SaaS · Platform 2026

Lifted the API layer out of an aging Rails 5 monolith into a fresh Rails 8 service. Shipped as a new versioned API that follows the JSON:API specification, giving downstream clients a cleaner, well-documented contract to migrate against.

Rails 5 to 8 JSON:API PostgreSQL
United States
Sports · Events 2025

Added a round-level registration feature to an existing golf tournament platform. Golfers can now sign up per round rather than per event, while organizers manage tee times, pairings, and check-ins live from a single dashboard.

Ruby on Rails PostgreSQL
United States
EdTech · Mobile 2026

oseli, our in-house iOS and Android tutor for Romanian students. Uses the Socratic method to guide each learner through problems with hints and questions, never the answer.

React Native TypeScript AI
Romania
Read the full case
B2B Platform · Eventing 2026

Built an event-driven backbone that fans out platform events to customer-configured webhook endpoints in real time. New integrations get wired up by customers, without our engineers in the loop.

Ruby on Rails Sidekiq Webhooks
United States
// On the lift

Meet oseli.

Our first in-house application is an AI tutor for Romanian students. It uses the Socratic method to guide students through problems with hints and questions, in Romanian.

Read more about oseli
oseli · roadmap
alpha internal builds · core tutor flow
beta closed beta · Romanian families
Q3 2026 App Store + Google Play · Romania
later curriculum expansion
// Common questions

Before you write in.

What kinds of projects do you take on?
Web applications, marketing websites, mobile apps for iOS and Android, APIs, system modernization, and long-term maintenance. We work best on focused projects with a clear owner on your side.
How do you price engagements?
For new builds we usually work in fixed-scope phases of two to four weeks, each with its own budget and deliverable. For maintenance and on-call work we use monthly retainers. We share an honest estimate after a short scoping call, before any contract.
Do you sign NDAs and assign IP?
Yes, both. Standard mutual NDA on the first call if you need it, and full IP assignment on delivery. The code we write for you is yours.
Which timezones do you cover?
We are based in Romania (EET / EEST) and routinely overlap with the United States East Coast, the United Kingdom, and the rest of the European Union. Stand-ups, async-first updates, and dedicated working hours are the default.
Can you take over an existing codebase?
Often yes. We do a paid audit week first to learn the system and write down what we find. After that you decide whether to continue with us, with someone else, or with the current team using our report.
How fast can you start?
For new clients, usually two to four weeks from first contact, depending on current workload. We never overcommit. If we cannot start when you need, we say so on the first call.
// Pull into the bay

Have a project in mind?

Get in touch and tell us about it. We will review your needs and let you know honestly whether we are a good fit for the work.

contact@smdevgarage.ro