The Boring Edition with Shopify's Glen Coates

The philosophy of "boring software" prioritizes system reliability and seamless integration over the constant addition of new, flashy features. By launching a "Boring Edition," Shopify addresses the non-linear costs of platform growth, where back-integrating new features into an existing ecosystem often creates technical friction. A clear distinction exists between the creative, storytelling-driven storefront—where brands differentiate themselves—and the checkout process, which must remain a consistent, secure, and invisible utility to minimize user abandonment. This strategic shift mirrors the success of Apple’s macOS Snow Leopard, which focused on tightening existing systems rather than introducing new bells and whistles. Ultimately, the goal is to treat the checkout process as a universal, reliable model for human trade, ensuring that complex backend business logic remains invisible to the end user.