Custom software. Direct collaboration.
Custom software, thoughtfully crafted.
I build web applications and integrations for organizations whose workflows don’t fit neatly into off-the-shelf products. You work directly with me to understand the problem, define the right solution, and build it.
Why Cordial Forge
Work directly with the person building it.
I'm Parker Landon, a senior full-stack software engineer based in Seattle. Cordial Forge is my independent software practice.
I work directly with organizations to understand difficult workflows, determine the right solution, and build focused custom software around the way the work actually gets done.
From our first conversation through launch, I'm the person responsible for your project. No handoffs or layers of account management.
About Parker and Cordial ForgeUnderstand the work first.
Start with the people, workflows, and problems—not a predetermined solution.
Agree on the scope.
Discovery produces a clear specification and proposal before development begins.
Build with continuity.
One engineer stays accountable for the details from implementation through ongoing maintenance.
How I work
See the full process- ASSESS
I start with the problem and assess whether custom software is the right answer.
- DISCOVER
Paid discovery defines the right solution, scope, and proposal for build and maintenance.
- BUILD
I build the agreed solution and share progress along the way.
- LAUNCH
I test, deploy, and help your team put the software into use.
- SUPPORT
A subscription covers maintenance within the agreed scope; new features are separately scoped.
Custom software
Purpose-built web apps for work that doesn’t fit an off-the-shelf product.
Explore custom softwareWorkflow software
Custom applications and internal tools for shared records, clear handoffs, and less repetitive work.
Explore workflow softwareSoftware integrations
Connect the systems you already use so information moves automatically between them.
Explore integrationsEducation software
Software for faculty, departments, and student-support teams, designed to fit the systems already in place.
Explore education software
You might need custom software if…
The spreadsheet became the system.
Important work now depends on it.
People enter the same data twice.
Your tools don’t talk to each other.
The process lives in someone’s head.
Work stops when they’re unavailable.
Your software doesn’t fit the workflow.
People work around the tool instead of with it.
Case Studies
Purpose-built software starts with understanding how people work. See how I turn practical needs into focused applications.
Explore my workCommon questions
Answers about pricing, discovery, and working together.
Implementation and ongoing maintenance are priced separately after discovery once the scope is clear. Builds typically start around $5,000. Discovery typically starts around $1,000; most standalone engagements range from $1,000–$5,000 or more as complexity increases. Changes to an agreed scope are priced separately before work begins. See discovery pricing
Discovery defines the right solution and makes implementation safe to price. It is a paid engagement after initial assessment confirms custom software is appropriate. I document goals, workflows, requirements, acceptance criteria, dependencies, risks, and scope boundaries, then prepare proposed milestones and a proposal for build and maintenance. You review the proposal before deciding whether to proceed with the build. Explore discovery
Yes. I assess an existing application’s condition, the improvements you need, and technical constraints before proposing changes. For integrations, I check APIs, permissions, data responsibilities, and organizational constraints to confirm what is practical. Explore integrations
Custom web applications, workflow software, and integrations are a good fit when an organization has a real operational problem, access to the people who understand it, and a willingness to define success before implementation. During the initial conversation, I help assess whether custom software, an existing product, or a process improvement is the right answer. Every custom software project begins with paid discovery, which produces an implementation-ready specification and a proposal for build and maintenance. Hourly staff augmentation and open-ended task queues generally aren’t a fit. Describe your workflow
No. I’m based in Seattle and work with organizations locally and remotely, in education and beyond. You work directly with me to understand the workflow, agree the scope, and review the software as it takes shape. Discuss your project
Delivery is reviewed against the agreed acceptance criteria. A subscription covers maintenance within the agreed scope, including routine compatibility updates to existing integrations. Pricing reflects hosting costs and the application’s complexity and maintenance needs. New features, major integration redesigns, and replacements for discontinued services are separately scoped and priced. See launch and support arrangements
What should work better?
Tell me what you’re trying to improve and how it works today. You don’t need to know what software you need.
Tell me about your workflow