Shipping beats perfection.
Kathmandu, Nepal — Remote worldwide
I'm Durga Gairhe — a software engineer and product builder. I design, build, and ship web and mobile products end to end. — Engineering, product, and design end-to-end.
Founder of AuraLock and CipherOnce — live on Android and Web
Software Engineer & Product Builder
Engineer · Product Builder · Systems thinker — Kathmandu, working remote. From first line to Play Store.
I'm Durga Gairhe — a software engineer and product builder (also spelled Durga Gaire or Durga Gaihre) who enjoys turning ideas into polished, useful products.
My work spans frontend engineering, mobile development, native Android, backend systems, UX, testing, technical leadership, and product development.
I enjoy working across the full product lifecycle — from understanding the problem and designing the experience to building, testing, releasing, and continuously improving the product.
Builder first, leader by doing — close to the work, from design to release.
From writing first lines of code to shipping products that people actually use — every step has been about building things that matter. I stay close to the work: design, code, test, release, iterate.
Explore experienceTechnology should feel intentional — not accidental. I design interfaces that respect user attention and guide rather than overwhelm.
Clean architecture, maintainable systems, performance, and reliability aren't luxuries — they're the foundation. I write code that other engineers can read, modify, and trust.
Building the right thing is just as important as building it right. I ask 'why' before 'how' — because a perfectly engineered feature nobody needs is still a failure.
Testing, iteration, and attention to detail aren't afterthoughts — they're part of the development process. I build QA into the workflow, not onto it.
I learn best by turning ideas into working products. Every project is a classroom — the faster I ship, the faster I grow.
5 roles · 2019 → Present · From first line to Play Store — product, code, and team.
Founder & Senior Software Engineer
Building AuraLock, an Android product exploring a more intentional relationship with technology.
I lead the product from idea to release, working across product strategy, UX, frontend and mobile development, native Android implementation, testing, release management, and ongoing iteration.
AuraLock is built around a simple philosophy: Instead of starting with what to avoid, start with what matters.
Users create an Aura around the apps they choose for a specific moment, helping create intentional digital boundaries around their decisions.
An intentional digital environment designed to help users focus on the apps and websites that matter for a specific moment.
“I shipped a complete product — from zero to Play Store — as a solo founder.”
AuraLock shipped on Android with native Kotlin modules, React Native UI, a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox, gamification systems (XP, Levels, Achievements), and ongoing Play Store compliance.
Building a product alone means every decision — from architecture to UX to marketing — is yours. This forced me to think holistically, not just technically. I learned what it means to own the full product lifecycle.
Founder & Full-Stack Engineer
Building a zero-knowledge encrypted secret sharing platform with self-destructing links.
CipherOnce is a zero-knowledge, end-to-end encrypted secret sharing platform. It lets users encrypt passwords, API keys, and confidential messages client-side — generating a self-destructing link that vanishes after one view or a set time.
The server never sees plaintext data. True ephemeral security for the modern web, built with Next.js, Web Crypto API, and Supabase.
A platform for sharing secrets, passwords, and API keys through self-destructing encrypted links.
“I built a zero-knowledge security product where the server never sees your data.”
All encryption happens client-side using AES-256-GCM. The encryption key lives in the URL fragment, never sent to the server. The server stores only ciphertext.
Security products demand uncompromising architecture. Every design decision — from key management to data lifecycle — had to pass the test: what if the server is compromised? This constraint led to cleaner, simpler code.
Software Engineer & Technical Lead
Acted as Scrum Master and Technical Lead while developing end-to-end features across frontend, backend, and database systems.
Acted as Scrum Master and Technical Lead, coordinating cross-functional teams with Agile practices, Jira, and Git.
Developed end-to-end features from UI to backend and database, delivering 7+ projects over two years.
Built gamified rewards engines, payment systems, credit scoring engines, and internal developer tools.
Gamified rewards engine with administrative configuration for the Moru wallet ecosystem.
Direct merchant sales integration with secure backend APIs and real-time processing.
Questionnaire builder, credit scoring engine, and database models for agricultural lending.
URL shortener, quick links service, and bulk Excel payment importer for internal operations.
Custom ESLint plugin enforcing team coding standards across all frontend projects.
JavaScript vulnerability detection extension for the development team.
“I coordinated a cross-functional team while still shipping features end-to-end.”
Over two years at Moru, I delivered 7+ projects — from a gamified rewards engine to a VS Code vulnerability detector — while acting as Scrum Master and mentoring junior developers.
The role demanded both leadership and execution. I learned to balance team coordination with hands-on engineering, never losing touch with the code while driving the team forward.
Frontend Developer
Built web applications and landing pages for clients across e-commerce, education, and SaaS.
Delivered end-to-end frontend solutions for small businesses and startups, from initial design to deployment.
Worked with React, Next.js, and Tailwind CSS to build fast, responsive, and accessible web applications.
Managed client relationships, project timelines, and deliverables independently.
Full-featured online store with product catalog, cart, checkout, and payment integration.
High-converting landing pages with animations, forms, and analytics integration.
Learning management system frontend with course catalog, progress tracking, and user dashboards.
Software Engineering Student
Self-taught journey through frontend, backend, mobile development, and software engineering fundamentals.
Spent over a year intensely learning software engineering through online courses, open-source contributions, and building personal projects.
Built a strong foundation in JavaScript, React, Node.js, and mobile development through consistent daily practice.
Contributed to open-source projects and participated in developer communities to accelerate learning.
Multiple web and mobile applications built as learning exercises — todo apps, weather apps, chat applications.
Contributed bug fixes and features to React ecosystem libraries.
Formal foundations, then self-directed — the fastest way to grow is to put work in front of real users.
Intensive self-study: JavaScript, React, Node.js, React Native, Kotlin, system design. Built 20+ projects, contributed to open source, learned by shipping.
Softwarica College of IT and E-Commerce, Tribhuvan University — foundations in algorithms, data structures, and software engineering. Learned to learn — then shipped beyond the curriculum.
Selected products, shipped end to end — from first sketch to store release. Each one built with engineering and design working together.
Choose what matters. Create your Aura.
A focus app that flips the script on digital distractions — you choose what stays, everything else fades away. Solo zero → Play Store.
Secrets that vanish. Security that stays.
Zero-knowledge secret sharing — client-side AES-256-GCM, one-time self-destructing links. The server never sees your secret.
The technologies and practices I use to build products from concept to launch.
Build logs and product notes — engineering, mobile, and security, written in plain words.
The 25 best AI tools for building AI chatbots in 2026, compared by job: LLM APIs, RAG stacks, ready-made platforms, agent frameworks, and eval. Real picks from shipping production chatbots.
How CipherOnce delivers true zero-knowledge: client-side AES-256-GCM, fragment keys that never hit the server, and self-destructing links that leave no trace.
Building AuraLock — choosing what matters vs blocking, React Native + native Kotlin modules, Play Store policy. Founder notes from zero to launch.
An intentional digital environment for focused work.
A privacy and security-oriented product.
I enjoy turning ideas into real products and continuously experimenting with modern frontend, mobile, AI-assisted development, automation, and product design.
What I explore when I'm not shipping client work — solo products, creative experiments, and the craft behind the code.
Zero → Play Store, solo. AuraLock and CipherOnce taught me distribution, polish, and persistence matter as much as code. I love the full loop — idea to revenue.
Using LLMs to move faster without losing craft. Prompting, tooling, and workflows that turn AI from hype into real leverage for solo builders.
Where design meets engineering — motion, typography, and micro-interactions that make software feel human, not mechanical.
Automating the boring work so people can do creative work. Scripts, pipelines, and systems that run themselves while I stay in flow.
Native Android (Kotlin) + React Native. Offline-first, fast, and store-ready — apps that feel native because they are.
Astro, React, Tailwind — fast, accessible, maintainable frontends. Clean systems over clever tricks. Shipping beats perfection.
Learn in public, ship weekly. Every product is a classroom — the fastest way to grow is to put work in front of real users and iterate.
Independent · Curious · Always learning
When I’m not shipping, I recharge by moving, reading, and playing — balance keeps the craft sharp. — reading keeps ideas fresh, running clears the head, games keep the team spirit alive.
Balance · Curiosity · Team play — Kathmandu evenings
Solo studio OS — commits, changelog, and Now. If it’s not shipped, it doesn’t count.
You can now encrypt and share a secret right on the work page. Type a secret, get a link, open it once and it’s gone — the server never sees what you wrote.
Added a live demo to create your Aura. Pick the 3–5 apps that matter, start a short timer, and feel how gentle enforcement works. Choosing what stays led to 38% more finished sessions.
Refined the design system — clearer type, calmer motion, and consistent spacing on every device.
Made builds steady and the site faster everywhere, so every update ships without extra steps.
Organized pages and search previews so clients and search engines land on the right work, writing, or product quickly.
Shipping weekly, public by default · Kathmandu Lab — 04:12 NPT
Own the loop — idea to Store. Lab notes →
Weekly demo: every Friday 5pm NPT — loom + log
Solo studio, 4+ years. Live on stores, auditable code, verified reviews. Book 30 min — if not fit, you’ll know in 10.
“Durga shipped our gamified rewards engine end-to-end — from workshop to Play Store — while leading our Scrum cadence. Rare to find someone who thinks like a founder and codes like a senior.”
“AuraLock finally made focus feel positive, not punitive. The Aura idea clicked instantly — I choose what matters and everything else fades. The polish is obvious.”
Pick a day to see live free slots
Google Meet · 30 min · No pitch — scoping + next steps
Join weekly log. 3 emails: PEM framework → Solo shipping → 30-min teardown. Then weekly, unsubscribe anytime.
Supabase + webhook · zod + honeypot · rate-limit
