Lekko has launched its Free Forever plan, enabling engineers to implement feature flagging and manage configurations more effectively, reducing complexity and enhancing deployment flexibility in software projects. In this episode, Konrad Niemiec, CEO and Founder at Lekko, discusses the tool and the problems it is addressing, what sets it apart from other tools, and the company’s future plans. He says, “Lekko is a developer tool primarily, but it’s for any company that builds software and has software as part of its product, and the goal is to make that software dynamic and in the face of a world that’s imperfect.”

Introduction to Lekko and the problem it is addressing

• Niemiec discusses the purpose of Lekko, a developer tool for companies building software. He explains how it simplifies feature flagging tools for smaller teams lacking the resources of giants like Uber and Google.
• Feature flagging is a practice that separates code deployment from feature release. A flag in the code is used to control feature activation independently, allowing new code to be toggled for specific users without redeploying, enabling quick rollbacks if needed.
• Niemiec explains that while CI/CD tools help deploy code safely, they operate with incomplete information and cannot always match production conditions perfectly. He talks about how feature flagging addresses gaps that CI/CD tools can’t.

What is feature flagging and what sets Lekko apart from other tools?

• Feature flagging has been established since 2015-2016, using the Flipr tool by Thomas Chen, now a Lekko investor. Flipper allows local teams to configure the product independently and make changes without disrupting the system.
• Niemiec explains that “Lekko” means “light and easy” in Polish, reflecting the tool’s design philosophy.
• Lekko differs from current feature flagging tools by enabling dynamic, runtime-updatable functions and focusing on issue prevention using static typing, CI/CD validation, and AI integration.

How is dynamic configuration beneficial for software development?

• Niemiec highlights dynamic configuration’s focus on engineer productivity and preventing issues, noting large firms like Uber and Google adopt such systems due to limitations in basic feature flagging tools.
• Many software teams outside of these giants face challenges with less established practices, such as managing stale feature flags. Niemiec emphasizes the need for educating teams on dynamic configuration as a solution.
• Niemiec discusses the future plans of the company following its emergence from stealth mode. He highlights their partnerships with investors like Addition and LUX Capital.
• Niemiec mentions the company’s immediate launch of a free plan for engineers to experience dynamic configuration easily and plans to introduce a team plan within the year.
• Lekko aims to collaborate with early adopters to further refine solutions that reduce complexity and enhance product configuration capabilities for businesses.

Guest: Konrad Niemiec (LinkedIn)
Company: Lekko (Twitter)
Show: Let’s Talk

This summary was written by Emily Nicholls.