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28 changes: 13 additions & 15 deletions apps/web/content/articles/company-handbook-in-public.mdx
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,14 +1,12 @@
---
display_title: "Why We''re Publishing Our Company Handbook"
display_title: "Why We're Publishing Our Company Handbook"
meta_title: "Why We're Publishing Our Company Handbook at Hyprnote"
meta_description: "Why early-stage companies are built on founder philosophy, not just products—and why we're publishing our company handbook openly at Hyprnote."
author: "John Jeong"
created: "2025-12-12"
published: true
---

Why We're Publishing Our Company Handbook at Hyprnote

In the early days of a startup, engagement doesn't come from feature lists or polished landing pages.

It comes from how the founders see the future.
Expand All @@ -17,26 +15,26 @@ Before companies had traction, they had manifestos. Before metrics, they had bel

That's why we decided to publish our company handbook openly at Hyprnote.

Two Documents, Not One
## Two Documents, Not One

At the start of Y Combinator, a visiting partner named Eli shared something that stuck with me.

When he was trying to hire exceptional engineers, he never sent just one document. He sent two.

The first was straightforward: requirements.
The first was straightforward: requirements.
The tech stack, the tools, how things worked on a day-to-day basis.

The second was harder to write: expectations.
How decisions are actually made.
What ownership really means.
The second was harder to write: expectations.
How decisions are actually made.
What ownership really means.
What "doing a good job" looks like inside the company.

At the time, this sounded like a hiring tactic. Only later did I realize the second document was doing most of the work.

Requirements filter for ability.
Requirements filter for ability.
Expectations filter for alignment.

What Most Early-Stage Companies Don't Write Down
## What Most Early-Stage Companies Don't Write Down

Most startups are very good at explaining what they're building.

Expand All @@ -50,7 +48,7 @@ Our code is public by default. Anyone can read it, audit it, or contribute to it

We didn't want that asymmetry.

Why Put a Handbook on the Website?
## Why Put a Handbook on the Website?

Publishing a company handbook publicly isn't about transparency as a virtue signal.

Expand All @@ -62,11 +60,11 @@ That's why some of the most respected open-source companies — like GitLab, Cal

We believe authentic writing — especially early on — creates more meaningful engagement than any polished marketing copy ever could.

What Our Handbook Is (and Isn't)
## What Our Handbook Is (and Isn't)

The Hyprnote handbook is not a rulebook.

It's not a list of corporate values.
It's not a list of corporate values.
It's not a finished product.

It's a snapshot of how we define good work, ownership, communication, and trust — right now.
Expand All @@ -75,13 +73,13 @@ Some parts may change. Some beliefs may evolve. That's expected. What matters is

For us, writing this down is slightly uncomfortable. And that's exactly why it matters.

An Invitation
## An Invitation

If you're building a company — especially an open-source one — I'd encourage you to ask:

What expectations exist in your company that everyone "just knows," but have never been written down?

And if you're reading this as a contributor, user, or future teammate:
And if you're reading this as a contributor, user, or future teammate:
this handbook is our attempt to show how we think, not just what we build.

That feels like the right place to start.