ADR-005 — Standardise on Next.js and Vercel

Context#

A single-operator studio cannot maintain expertise across multiple stacks. Every additional framework fragments knowledge and slows delivery.

Decision#

Default to Next.js (App Router), TypeScript strict, Tailwind, PostgreSQL, Drizzle, deployed on Vercel with Neon for the database. Flutter for mobile.

Deviations require justification and an ADR.

Consequences#

• Compounding speed — each project starts from accumulated knowledge
• Enables an internal component library that applies to every project
• Vercel free tier covers current volume
• Accepted lock-in risk with Vercel; Next.js can be self-hosted if pricing changes materially
• Projects genuinely requiring a different stack are either quoted with learning time included or declined

Rejected#

Self-hosting on a VPS. Cheaper at scale, but consumes operator time on infrastructure that should go to client work. Revisit if hosting costs become material.