Who Else Has Inherited a Codebase With Zero Comments and a Prayer?

Short summary

A developer uncovering why an inherited codebase has zero comments and duplicate functions learns through git archaeology that startup deadlines, false obviousness, and fear of deletion drive poor documentation. The author distills practical wisdom: document findings immediately, separate understanding from refactoring, and treat all 'temporary' fixes as permanent, recognizing that today's shortcut becomes tomorrow's inherited pain. The piece resonates because it's relatable to anyone who's shipped fast under pressure.

• •Uncommented code isn't laziness—it's the collision of deadline reality and false obviousness
• •Document archaeology as you discover it; don't wait until 'after' (which never comes)
• •Deleting dead code requires nerve; everyone becomes 'the person who added the 2'
• •Every startup shortcut survives longer than intended and deserves respect as institutional memory

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