The Diagnostic
A fixed-fee technical review that tells you what to build, fix, or upgrade — and what it'll take — before you commit.
The Diagnostic is a fixed-fee, time-boxed technical review that ends in a written deliverable: findings, risks, a recommended path, and a scoped estimate. For a new idea, it's feasibility and scoping. For an existing app, it's an audit — architecture, security, upgrade path, and tech debt. It's for buyers who aren't ready to commit to a full build but want an expert read from a senior engineer, for a known price. Start here: it de-risks the decision for both sides before anyone signs up for something big.
What problem does this solve?
You've got a decision to make and not enough certainty to make it. Maybe it's "is this idea even buildable, and what would it take?" Maybe it's "how bad is our codebase actually, and what's the upgrade path?" Every path forward feels like it starts with a big, expensive commitment to someone you haven't worked with yet. You don't want to sign up for a serious, production-grade build on a hunch — and you don't want a free "consultation" that's really a sales call. You want a straight, expert answer and a plan you can act on, at a price you know up front.
How we approach it
1. Scope the question — a build feasibility read, an existing-app audit, or an upgrade-path assessment. 2. Dig into the real material — your codebase, your idea, your constraints — not a generic checklist. 3. Assess against what actually matters: architecture, security, performance, tech debt, and feasibility. 4. Write it down — findings, risks, priorities, and a recommended path, in plain language you can share with your team. 5. Scope the next step, so you leave with an estimate and a plan, not just opinions. Time-boxed and fixed-fee, so you know exactly what you're getting.
What you get
- A time-boxed review of your codebase, idea, or upgrade path - A written report you own — findings, risks, and priorities in plain language - For an existing app: an architecture, security, and tech-debt audit plus a concrete upgrade path - For a new build: a feasibility read and a scoping / shaping output - A recommended path forward and a scoped estimate for it - A clear read on whether we're the right team for the work — before either side commits
How long does it take?
A fixed-fee, time-boxed engagement with a written deliverable at the end. Known scope, known price, clear plan — the low-commitment first step.
Start here
Not every decision is ready to be a build. Sometimes the smartest first move is to find out — from a senior engineer, in writing, for a known price — exactly what you're dealing with and what it would take.
That's The Diagnostic. It's the low-commitment front door to working with Octane Labs, and it's designed to de-risk the decision for both sides before anyone signs up for something big.
What you get
A time-boxed review and a written deliverable you own.
For an existing app, it's an audit: architecture, security, performance, upgrade path, and tech debt, with findings prioritized so you know what to fix first. For a new idea, it's a feasibility read and a scoping output — is this buildable, how, and what would it take. Either way you leave with a recommended path and a scoped estimate — a plan, not just opinions.
From a senior engineer, not a junior with a checklist
The review is done by the founder — 15+ years shipping software, Head of Engineering at a fintech, and someone who builds and operates production Rails every day. You're getting a genuine expert read on your codebase or your concept, the kind most shops only offer after you've already committed to a build.
The lowest-risk way to work together
Every shop we admire has a version of this — The Roadmap, Code Inspect, a Tech Audit — because it's the most reliable way to turn cold interest into scoped, confident work. It maps directly onto Octane's existing paid Discovery & Scoping. You get clarity and a plan; we get a real understanding of the work; and both sides find out whether we're the right fit before the stakes get high.
Frequently asked questions
- Why start with a Diagnostic instead of just quoting my project?
- Because a real quote needs real understanding, and a good decision needs an expert read you can trust. The Diagnostic gives you both — a written plan and a scoped estimate — for a known fixed fee, and it lets both sides find out whether we're the right fit before anyone commits to a large engagement. It's the lowest-risk way in.
- What do I actually walk away with?
- A written deliverable you own. For an existing app, that's an audit — architecture, security, upgrade path, and tech debt — with prioritized findings. For a new idea, it's a feasibility read plus a scoping output. Both end with a recommended path and a scoped estimate. It's yours to act on, with us or with anyone else.
- Who does the review?
- The founder — a senior engineer with 15+ years shipping software and Head-of-Engineering experience — not a junior with a checklist. You're getting a real expert read on your code or your idea, from someone who builds and operates production Rails for a living.
- How long does it take?
- It's time-boxed — a focused engagement with a firm end and a written deliverable, not an open-ended consulting relationship. The exact window depends on whether it's a feasibility read or a full codebase audit, and we'll agree it with you before we start.
Ready to talk about The Diagnostic?
Tell us about your project and we'll help you figure out the right starting point.