About | Xiaoyu Li

I’m Xiaoyu, an independent developer who cares deeply about how software fits into everyday life.

Not how impressive it looks.
Not how fast it grows.
But whether it actually stays useful to the people who rely on it.

How I Got Here

I started building software by solving my own problems — small frustrations that didn’t seem big enough to justify complex tools or heavy platforms.

Over time, that habit turned into a career. I worked on consumer and enterprise products, learned how teams ship software, and saw first-hand where things often go wrong.

Too much complexity.
Too many assumptions.
Too little respect for the people using the product.

Going independent was a way to slow down and do things differently.

What I Choose to Build

I focus on tools with a clear purpose and a limited scope.

Software that:

stays understandable over time
works without constant attention
avoids unnecessary dependencies
doesn’t demand trust it hasn’t earned

I’m less interested in shipping more, and more interested in shipping things that hold up.

How I Think About Software

I believe software should serve people — quietly and honestly.

That means:

no dark patterns
no artificial urgency
no extracting value by default
clear communication about what a product does and doesn’t do

Good software should feel calm.
It should give control back, not take it away.

Staying in Touch

I enjoy hearing from people who use my work, think about similar problems, or simply want to exchange ideas.

You can reach me at:

If you’re here out of curiosity, that’s already enough.