Malleable software: Restoring user agency in a world of locked-down apps

a year ago

Environments significantly impact our ability to perform and live optimally, necessitating adaptable spaces.
Physical environments are naturally malleable, allowing for immediate and permissionless adjustments.
Software environments, in contrast, are rigid, limiting users' ability to customize and adapt tools to their needs.
Mass-produced software often fails to meet individual or niche needs due to centralized development constraints.
Examples from healthcare and software teams illustrate how inflexible software can hinder productivity and increase burnout.
The concept of malleable software proposes a user-centric ecosystem where tools can be easily adapted or created.
Existing customization methods like settings, plugins, and open source have limitations in achieving full malleability.
AI-assisted coding shows promise but doesn't fully address the need for composable and editable tools within existing ecosystems.
Key design patterns for malleable software include a gentle slope from user to creator, tools over apps, and communal creation.
Ink & Switch's research prototypes explore infrastructure and dynamic documents to support malleability, highlighting challenges and successes.
The vision for malleable software emphasizes user agency, local community control, and the integration of technical and cultural shifts.

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