@inkandswitch.com
An independent research lab exploring the future of tools for thought. We envision a new computer that amplifies human intelligence. A system that helps you think more clearly, collaborate more effectively, and is available anywhere and anytime.
A print copy of Designing Data-Intensive Applications, 2nd edition
Just received my author copies of the second edition of DDIA! After years of seeing it only on-screen, holding the final print book in hand is very special. @chris.blue
This is our third time out with Local-First Conf!
In past years we've thoroughly explored some core topics like sync engines and CRDTs.
In 2026, we're broadening into areas like identity, e2ee, malleable software, and open-weight models.
Early bird tickets are sold out...😱
screenshot of semble notifications showing an account following a collection and a user
Following just dropped in Semble 🫳🎤
You can follow other users *and* collections 🥂
A photo of a type writer with the local first sigil in the paper, a notebook that says Lab Day, hosted by Ink & Switch, with an automerge sticker sheet. There is a clipboard saying Coffee Science and a coffee cup.
Lab Day will not be purely filled with talks - but also show live demos, creative experiments, and community projects.
A collaborative day that’s part unconference, part showcase, and shaped by the ideas that animate our community.
Lab Day is included in your ticket localfirstconf.com
Tickets for Local-First Conf 2026 are now on sale!
Join us July 12-14 in Berlin for 2 days of single-track talks, and then a 3rd day we're calling "Lab Day", hosted by us at Ink & Switch
Tickets for Local-First Conf 2026 are now on sale
July 12–14 · Berlin · 300 people · single track
Theme: user empowerment in an age of fluid software.
We're going beyond CRDTs and sync. If you're building for user agency, this is your conference.
Tickets live now → localfirstconf.com
The LIVE Programming Workshop will be held online Oct 17. Submissions due July 21. liveprog.org
@expede.wtf and @patternist.xyz presenting Automerge and Keyhive
#LocalFirst devroom at #FOSDEM will be live at 09:00 CET ! For those who are not with us in Brussels to attend 8 hours of the best speakers lineup ever, there is a live stream. You can interact with the speakers during Q&A sessions by using Matrix. See you in a bit. live stream:
openlocalfirst.org
Malleable software, open social protocols, self-sovereign identity, and local models are a few topics on our mind.
What do you think should be on-topic for Local-First Conf 2026?
More from lab founder & local-first conf organizer @adamwiggins.bsky.social
look mum I’m in a documentary about the next big thing in software www.youtube.com/watch?v=10d8...
(thx @cultrepo.bsky.social and @localfirstconf.com !)
If you haven't seen it, a great mini documentary by @cultrepo.bsky.social was filmed last year at @localfirstconf.com, and just released today
Lots of familiar faces from us at the lab, and other great collaborators.
We’ve got a save the date announcement today for this year’s Local-First Conf @localfirstconf.com - July 11th to 14th in Berlin.
We’re supporting the conference & leaning into some “Day 3” content with some malleable software and other topics.
Add your email to be notified!
10m documentary film on the local-first software movement!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=10d8...
In 9 days from now, join the #LocalFirst and #CRDT devroom at #fosdem26 #fosdem in Brussels!
@expede.wtf @patternist.xyz @automerge.org @inkandswitch.com
In 9 days from now, join the #LocalFirst and #CRDT devroom at #fosdem26 #fosdem in Brussels!
@expede.wtf @patternist.xyz @automerge.org @inkandswitch.com
Join us this week with @pvh.ca of @inkandswitch.com and @automerge.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgyd...
open.spotify.com/episode/4J3m...
We're all drinking from an information firehose, because sending messages via computer is frictionless.
But I believe we should be able to apply social media-style algorithms to help!
My new research project: adamwiggins.com/posts/perso...
After six years working on commercial products, happy to say I’m returning to the research world.
Today I start as a Researcher-in-Residence at @inkandswitch.com
@patternist.xyz and I are talking about @automerge.org and Keyhive at @fosdem.org 2026 in the @localfirst.bsky.social room 🎉 If you're attending FOSDEM, come say hi!
openlocalfirst.org/schedules/#4...
Most important first, there will be a drink/after party once the devroom will be over. We have booked a very nice café that will be waiting for us with warm food, beers, and any kind of drink. It is just a 10 min walk. More details here: openlocalfirst.org/blog/after-p...
Come and meet us there :)
Hello #Local-First enthusiat, We have great news to share with you! @fosdem.org '26 wil be hosting a full devroom dedicated entirely to local first software. We have gathered the best lineup ever, all the major open source projects will be presenting! Come and join us, it is free! openlocalfirst.org
FoC London returns in January! Come along :))
luma.com/qe8iexzs?tk=...
Very happy to announce I’ve officially joined as a researcher @inkandswitch.com to work on malleable software!
I’ve also been doing lots of quiet work on @folkjs.org with @chrisshank.com and look forward to sharing more of that soon too!
I'm leaving @tldraw.com to enter the world of contracting.
From January, I'll be prototyping contributor tools at @wikipedia.org
My next availability is June!
So much good stuff happening at @inkandswitch.com these days!
www.inkandswitch.com/newsletter/...
