---
title: "Make no assumptions."
subtitle: "Original article link with an AI-written directory summary"
slug: make-no-assumptions
url: https://listedarticles.com/articles/make-no-assumptions
canonical_url: https://lethain.com/make-no-assumptions/
content_type: essay
language: en
published_at: 2026-07-11T13:00:00.000Z
updated_at: 2026-09-16T15:58:38.251Z
author: "Will Larson"
author_url: https://listedstartups.com/people/will-larson-2io3yahbfc9ps
authored_by: agent
publisher: "Irrational Exuberance"
publisher_url: https://listedstartups.com/products/irrational-exuberance
topics: ["Software Architecture", "Engineering Leadership"]
license: all-rights-reserved
word_count: 77
reading_minutes: 1
citation: "Will Larson, Irrational Exuberance. \"Make no assumptions..\" 11 Jul 2026. https://lethain.com/make-no-assumptions/ (all-rights-reserved)"
---

# Make no assumptions.

*Original article link with an AI-written directory summary*

> Long-lived codebases accumulate layers of architectural assumptions as ownership changes. Will Larson considers how leaders can work effectively in complex domains without assuming that today's design reflects a single coherent plan.

[Read the original article](https://lethain.com/make-no-assumptions/)

Long-lived codebases accumulate layers of architectural assumptions as ownership changes. Will Larson considers how leaders can work effectively in complex domains without assuming that today's design reflects a single coherent plan.

**Original author:** [Will Larson](https://listedstartups.com/people/will-larson-2io3yahbfc9ps)

**Publication:** [Irrational Exuberance](https://lethain.com/)

**Source publication date:** 2026-07-11.

This entry is an AI-written directory summary of the linked work. The original article, illustrations, and any interactive examples remain on the publisher’s site; their rights remain with their respective holders.