Backend & APIs
Solid backends, services, and interfaces with a focus on clarity and stability.
PHP Laravel REST & JSON CLI tools Queues & workers CodeIgniter Symfony components OpenAPI / Swagger
Designing and delivering scalable web and app solutions, from architecture to rollout.
I am Sascha Scherhak, a full-stack web and software developer with more than 25 years of experience. My focus: robust web development with PHP and JavaScript – based on frameworks such as Laravel, CodeIgniter, Angular and Ionic. This includes clean architectures, clear structures, and an efficient handoff between backend and frontend.
I also develop mobile applications for iOS and Android – natively with Swift, Kotlin and Java or hybrid with modern web technologies. All of this is complemented by well-thought-out deployment pipelines, containerized environments using Docker, and a stable DevOps workflow.
Career path & focus
In my career I have worked, among other roles, as lead developer and Head of Development at companies such as Pferdewetten.de and Leasingmarkt.de. There I was responsible for technical concepts, architecture decisions and the ongoing development of core platforms – including team leadership and code reviews across projects.
After the Covid period I deliberately decided to move back into a more hands-on role as a full-stack web developer – with a focus on pragmatic solutions, clean codebases and sustainable systems. Today I put that into practice at Hausheld AG, where I maintain existing systems and develop new applications.
You can find more details on my background on LinkedIn and Xing.
Certified IT expert witness
Since 2014 I have also been working as a certified IT expert (BISW), specializing in the evaluation of web and software projects. In this capacity I support the creation of technical reports, quality analyses and the clarification of complex technical issues – up to and including dispute resolution in challenging project constellations.
Technologies & frameworks I work with regularly
Technologies I use regularly and that have proven themselves in day-to-day project work, with PHP as my primary language for backend and API development.
Frontend & Web
From classic applications to single-page apps built with modern toolchains.
JavaScript Angular Ionic Alpine.js HTML & CSS TypeScript RxJS SCSS
Mobile Apps
Hybrid and native approaches for iOS and Android, integrated into existing backends.
iOS Android Ionic / Capacitor API integration Swift Kotlin Java
Cloud & infrastructure
Deployment strategies that work reproducibly, without unnecessary complexity.
AWS Hetzner Cloud Docker CI/CD EC2 · S3 · RDS GitHub Actions Docker Compose
Databases & storage
Reliable data storage, caching, and monitoring tailored to each application.
MySQL Percona PostgreSQL Redis File-based logs Eloquent ORM SQL optimization Migrations
Working Style
Readable code, clear structures, and solid tests, supported by AI.
Clean Code Testing Code reviews Vibe Coding Refactoring TDD / feature tests Documentation
Uplinkr – CLI-First Laravel Monitoring
Uplinkr is a lightweight, file-based uptime and response monitoring package for Laravel. Monitor your URLs and APIs without requiring a database – all probe results are stored as JSON files. Ideal for developers who need straightforward and reliable monitoring without complex external services.
Open-source monitoring directly inside your Laravel application.
Uplinkr runs entirely within your Laravel environment using native Artisan commands.
No external services and no database dependencies – just clean, file-based monitoring
integrated into your existing workflow.
Key Features
- File-Based Storage – All monitoring data stored as JSON files
- Native Laravel Integration – Built specifically for Laravel with Artisan commands
- Automatic Scheduler Integration – Run probes automatically via Laravel's task scheduler
- CLI-First Approach – Interactive commands for managing projects and probes
- Alert System – Built-in notifications via Laravel's notification channels
AI-Driven Development – Architecture First, Execution Second
AI models are not just tools but collaborative partners in the development process. My approach is based on architectural thinking, strategic prompting, and the orchestration of multiple AI models to solve complex problems efficiently and sustainably.
My AI Workflow
Over the years, I've developed a deep understanding of how to work with AI rather than just use it. This involves mastering advanced techniques like skills-based prompting, agent orchestration, and context steering, always with architectural integrity in focus.
Core Competencies
- Multi-Model Orchestration – Working with Claude, Codex, Gemini, and specialized models depending on the task at hand
- Skills & Agent Frameworks – Defining clear roles, boundaries, and workflows for AI agents to handle specific development domains
- Prompt Engineering & Context Management – Crafting precise instructions and maintaining coherent context across complex, multi-step tasks
- Architecture-Centric Development – Using AI to validate architectural decisions, refactor legacy code, and ensure scalable patterns
- Quality Assurance – AI-assisted code reviews, test generation, and documentation consistency checks
Why Architecture Matters More Than Ever
As AI accelerates execution, the bottleneck shifts from writing code to knowing what to build and how to structure it. Developers need to evolve from implementers into architects, with a solid understanding of system design, domain boundaries, and long-term maintainability.
AI can generate thousands of lines of code in seconds, but only a skilled developer can ensure that code is:
- Architecturally sound and aligned with business goals
- Maintainable, testable, and scalable over time
- Integrated seamlessly into existing systems without introducing technical debt
- Documented and understandable for future developers
Strategic AI Integration
AI handles repetitive tasks, boilerplate generation, and initial drafts, freeing me to focus on domain logic, edge cases, and architectural decisions that require human judgment.
Evolving Development Practices
The role of developers is shifting from "writing code" to "designing systems." Those who master AI-assisted workflows while maintaining architectural rigor will define the next generation of software development.