Doug Brown / nicabar

AI systems engineer.

I build practical software around agents, durable context, and capability-scoped systems — usually somewhere near Rust, WebAssembly, distributed runtimes, and tools that make AI work less disposable.

now

I’m focused on AI systems that can preserve context, explain what happened, and operate through constrained interfaces instead of open-ended shell chaos. Patina is the main thread: project memory, belief workflows, session continuity, and experiments with WASI component boundaries for safer agent work.

path

My background is founder/operator shaped: managed infrastructure, cloud migrations, client-facing systems, a large makerspace and fabrication shop, and later research-heavy work around AI, crypto, zero-knowledge ideas, and developer infrastructure.

That mix left me with a bias for systems that survive contact with reality: inspectable, portable, boring where possible, weird where useful.

tools I enjoy

  • Rust for sharp edges, systems boundaries, and correctness pressure.
  • Kotlin for pragmatic application work with good language ergonomics.
  • Clojure for data-shaped thinking, REPL-driven exploration, and durable ideas.
  • WebAssembly / WASI for portable, capability-scoped execution.

contact

I’m easiest to find on GitHub, X, or by email at nicabar@gmail.com.