COSS Revolution: Empowering Small Teams to Build Full Stack Web Apps

In recent times, SaaS solutions built upon Open Source Software (OSS), commonly referred to as Commercial OSS (COSS), have garnered significant attention. This growing trend has made it much easier to develop a comprehensive and scalable web application without resorting to expensive SaaS offerings. Now, all that is required is a team of 3-5 skilled engineers who possess the ability to navigate through extensive code bases. With the aid of tools such as cursor.sh or GitHub Copilot, these engineers can immerse themselves in solving the business or technical challenges at hand, without getting overly fixated on opinionated technology stacks. As someone who tends to get caught up in such stacks, this shift allows me to focus more on the task at hand and avoid unnecessary distractions.

To analyze the steps involved in creating a business using OSS tools, we can adopt the following method. This approach will allow fractional professionals to collaborate with commercial solution leaders in order to provide valuable business outcomes.

1. Create a platform that provides training and resources for engineers to become proficient in traversing large code bases. This could include tutorials, exercises, and interactive tools to help them navigate through complex code.

2. Develop a collaborative tool that allows engineers to work together on solving business or technical problems. This could include features like real-time code sharing, chat functionality, and project management tools.

3. Build a marketplace where businesses can find and hire 3-5 engineers with expertise in specific tech stacks or industries. This would make it easier for companies to assemble a team of engineers who can efficiently work on building full stack web apps.

4. Develop a platform that integrates various SaaS solutions based on OSS, providing businesses with a cost-effective way to leverage the benefits of these tools without the need for expensive subscriptions.

5. Create an online community or forum where engineers can share tips, tricks, and best practices for working with large code bases. This would help reduce the learning curve and improve efficiency for those tackling complex projects.

6. Develop an AI-powered code analysis tool that can automatically identify and suggest improvements for code bases. This would help engineers quickly identify areas for optimization and avoid getting lost in opinionated tech stacks.

7. Offer consulting services or workshops for businesses looking to build full stack web apps without relying on expensive SaaS offerings. This would provide guidance and support for companies wanting to leverage COSS solutions effectively.

8. Develop an open-source project that provides a curated list of recommended tech stacks and tools for building large scale web apps. This would help engineers avoid getting lost in the plethora of options available and focus on efficient solutions.

9. Plug in an add-on platform that connects engineers with mentors who have experience in building full stack web apps without relying on expensive SaaS offerings. This would provide guidance and support for engineers navigating through complex projects.

10. Develop a comprehensive online course or certification program that teaches engineers how to effectively leverage COSS solutions and build full stack web apps. This would provide a structured learning path for those interested in mastering this approach.

Some OSS libraries and apps are shared below and more can be found here