Add Features to Legacy Code
You need new features but the codebase is scary. Nobody wants to touch it. One wrong change and everything breaks.
Sound Familiar?
Developers refuse to work on the codebase
Simple changes break unrelated features
No tests, no documentation
Original developers long gone
Business needs new features urgently
How I Can Help
Careful analysis of existing code
Add tests around areas to change
Make changes safely with minimal impact
Document as we go
Gradually improve code quality
Legacy code doesn't have to be scary. It's just code that works but isn't well understood. The trick is making changes safely.
I add characterization tests first - tests that capture what the code currently does, right or wrong. Then changes can be made with confidence.
New features get added with minimal touching of existing code. Over time, the codebase improves. But the priority is always: ship the feature, don't break existing stuff.
You get your features and gradually improved code quality. No big bang rewrites, no risky changes.
Why I'm the Right Choice
Fast Diagnosis
I've seen most problems before. Quick assessment, clear plan, fast execution.
Proven Track Record
47+ rescue projects completed. I know what works and what doesn't.
Root Cause Fix
Not just patches. I fix the underlying issues so they don't come back.
Clear Communication
You'll know what's happening, what it costs, and when it'll be done.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes developers refuse to work on the codebase?
This is a common issue I see in projects that need add features to legacy code. Careful analysis of existing code
What causes simple changes break unrelated features?
This is a common issue I see in projects that need add features to legacy code. Careful analysis of existing code
What causes no tests, no documentation?
This is a common issue I see in projects that need add features to legacy code. Careful analysis of existing code
What causes original developers long gone?
This is a common issue I see in projects that need add features to legacy code. Careful analysis of existing code
What causes business needs new features urgently?
This is a common issue I see in projects that need add features to legacy code. Careful analysis of existing code
How do you careful analysis of existing code?
Careful analysis of existing code This is part of my standard approach to add features to legacy code, refined over 16+ years of experience.
How do you add tests around areas to change?
Add tests around areas to change This is part of my standard approach to add features to legacy code, refined over 16+ years of experience.
How long does add features to legacy code take?
Typical timeline is Varies by feature scope. Every project is different, but I'll give you a clear estimate after an initial assessment.
What does the process look like?
Initial call to understand the problem. Quick assessment and clear plan. Weekly demos as we fix things. Direct communication throughout — no project managers in the way.
What Clients Say
"Stu delivers. Quick turnaround, high quality, no fuss. He embeds into the team properly - standups, Teams, the lot - and he's been ahead of the curve on AI tooling, both in the apps we build and in how he works. Reliable, fast, and genuinely good to work with."
"Brought Stu in to review our AI tooling stack. He did a proper deep dive, gave us a clear plan, and containerised everything so devs could run it locally. Exactly the kind of practical, no-bullshit assessment we needed."
"One of the things most organisations struggle with is finding that 'bridge' type of resource — someone who can speak product, understand the business, and shape the technical flow for today while keeping an eye firmly on tomorrow. Stu, on multiple occasions where I've hired him over the last 15 years, has been that guy. His consultative skills — listening, challenging back, and shaping technical solutions around what he hears — are second to none. His time management and expectation-setting are spot on too. He'll tell you where the risks are in the new and the unknown, so you're never left biting your nails in the dark. He lives and breathes tech, early-adopts just for the hell of it, but never oversells anything until it's genuinely safe and ready to use."
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