Inside Linear: Why craft and focus still win in product building | Karri Saarinen (Co-founder and CEO)

Building high-quality software requires prioritizing the end-user experience over organizational metrics or rapid headcount expansion. Karri Saarinen, CEO and co-founder of Linear, emphasizes that successful products often emerge from solving specific, tangible frustrations—such as the performance issues and complexity inherent in legacy project management tools. By adopting a "local-first" architecture and maintaining small, focused teams, companies can achieve superior execution speed and product craftsmanship. Rather than attempting to serve a broad, generic market, startups should target highly motivated users who share a specific vision, allowing for iterative refinement based on direct feedback. Ultimately, building a lasting brand involves standing for clear principles like quality and speed, ensuring that every feature serves a purpose rather than merely adding complexity. This approach transforms software from a chaotic administrative burden into a streamlined, essential component of organizational productivity.