Research charter in action
Questions first. Rigor plus intuition. Outputs that move builders forward.
We investigate foundational problems in computer science and systems, pair formal reasoning with hands-on probes, and translate the results into tools, architectures, and practices.
Pillars
Where we invest
What guarantees can we offer by construction?
Computational research
Formal methods, optimization, verification, and rigorous models that ground our systems.
Outputs: Proofs, models, reference implementations.
How do we raise the floor for reliability without adding friction?
Systems & tooling
Distributed systems, reliability, ergonomics, and performance tuned for real workloads.
Outputs: Runtime components, observability tools, hardened patterns.
How do we make the right action obvious and safe?
Builder experience
Interfaces and workflows that keep builders in flow and surface system truth clearly.
Outputs: Editor integrations, diagnostics, interaction physics.
Methods
How we learn
First-principles framing
Clarify the question, model constraints, and identify invariants before building.
Experiments & probes
Tight feedback loops with prototypes and measurements to validate intuition.
Formal verification
Use proofs and model checking when stakes demand guarantees.
Field feedback
Test with real workloads; gather signal on ergonomics and resilience.
Design probes
Interface explorations that make truth legible and workflows natural.
Synthesis
Turn findings into principles, patterns, and production-ready components.
Open artifact
Research Charter
The Charter articulates our stance on questions-first inquiry, clarity over cleverness, intuition with rigor, and actionable outcomes. Read it inline without leaving the page.
Living document
Daedalus Research Charter
Our commitment to disciplined curiosity, first principles, clarity, and actionable insight.
Document
Daedalus Research Charter
Daedalus Research Charter
Purpose: The Daedalus Research Charter is our commitment to truth-seeking with structure. It clearly articulates how we investigate, learn, and validate what we build. This charter isn't about research for its own sake or as a veneer of rigor to justify decisions we've already made. Instead, it embodies principled, disciplined curiosity in service of clarity and innovation.
We view research not as an isolated activity, but as a core part of building. It ensures we focus on fundamentals and get to the heart of each challenge through first-principles thinking. It guides us to ask the right questions before chasing answers. And it keeps our focus on producing knowledge that is usable, actionable, and precise, never just interesting.
Below, we outline the key principles and cultural norms that define how we approach research at Daedalus. This is a manifesto for how every member of our team engages in the pursuit of knowledge.
Key Principles of Research
- First Principles Over Trends: We cut through the noise with first-principles thinking, not trend-chasing. Rather than following hype or conventional wisdom, we break problems down to their fundamentals. By understanding root causes and core principles, our insights stand on solid ground and aren't swayed by fleeting industry fads.
- Questions Before Answers: We frame the right questions before chasing answers. A well-defined question is the compass for any inquiry. We take the time to clarify what we need to learn and why it matters. This ensures that when we do invest effort in experiments or data analysis, we're addressing the real issues and not just collecting data for data's sake.
- Clarity Over Cleverness: We prioritize clarity over cleverness, even in deeply technical domains. We value simple, clear explanations and solutions that everyone on the team can understand. Success for us means illuminating a problem or solution so that its logic is evident. We avoid needless complexity or jargon; if we can't explain our findings plainly, we keep refining them until we can.
- Intuition Integrated with Rigor: We embed engineering and design intuition into the research process, making it practical and technical, not just academic. Our engineers, designers, and product thinkers actively contribute to research, ensuring theory is grounded in real-world context. We blend creative intuition with systematic experimentation, so our research directions are informed by hands-on insight as much as by academic literature.
- Actionable Insights: We produce knowledge that is usable, actionable, and precise, not just interesting. Research at Daedalus is judged by the clarity and utility of its outcomes. An insight should point to a decision, a design change, or a new experiment. We're not satisfied with vague or theoretical findings; we insist that what we learn can directly inform what we do next.
Research as a Cultural Muscle
Research at Daedalus is a cultural muscle, not a siloed department. It's a practice every builder here exercises in their work, whether they're sketching interface flows, modeling a complex backend system, or prototyping interaction physics. Everyone on the team, regardless of role, is encouraged to ask "Why?" and "What if?" repeatedly, peeling back layers of assumptions until the true essence of a system reveals itself.
This shared responsibility means our entire organization is continually learning and refining its understanding. We celebrate curiosity and reward questions just as much as answers. By making research part of everyone's job, we ensure that knowledge and evidence guide our decisions at every level.
Crafting Our Own Understanding
In essence, Daedalus is not a place that _consumes_ research; it's a place that crafts its own understanding, guided by rigor, humility, and ambition. This charter is our pledge to remain curious but disciplined, humble but confident in our pursuit of knowledge.
Finally, we consider this charter a living document for our team. As we grow and encounter new challenges, we will refine these principles and practices. What won't change is our commitment to a research mindset that drives clarity, innovation, and purposeful progress for Daedalus.