The Journey of Creating Akari

Designing a programming language is not just about syntax or compilers, it's about expressing ideas clearly and building tools that empower developers. Akari is an ongoing experiment in crafting a minimal, intentional language and toolchain from the ground up.

Minimalism, in this context, isn't just about reducing features - it's about thoughtful design choices that prioritize clarity, purpose, and developer experience.

Core Philosophy

Less is More

Every feature and tool must earn its place. If it doesn't add clear value, it's removed or redesigned. The goal is not to do less, but to do only what truly matters.

Readability Matters

Whether in documentation, error messages, or code formatting, readability is key. Clear communication helps developers focus on problem-solving rather than deciphering tools.

The Development Process

Creating Akari has been a continuous process of discovery. Early on, it was about wrestling with ideas - What should the language feel like? How minimal is too minimal? What kind of tools would developers actually want to use?

Each step uncovers new questions: balancing simplicity with expressiveness, designing error messages that teach rather than frustrate, and building tooling that feels like a natural extension of the language itself.

Rather than following a strict roadmap, the development is guided by experimentation, feedback, and a relentless focus on what actually helps developers think clearly and work efficiently.

Akari is far from finished. It's a living project that evolves as new insights emerge, it's a journey more than a destination.