DIVUZKIINDEPENDENT SOFTWARE ENGINEER
← Selected work / 04

Evolov

Across five years at Evolov I moved from backend developer to software engineer. I migrated a Django REST API to GraphQL, delivered real-time buyer–seller messaging from design through to a WebSocket service, migrated infrastructure to Cloudflare and DigitalOcean, and mentored three junior developers.

01 / Context

The problem.

Evolov's marketplace and discovery features were served by a Django REST API alongside legacy services. The product needed real-time communication between buyers and sellers, and its frontend, domain services and backend infrastructure needed to move onto managed platforms.

02 / Ownership

My part in it.

Backend engineering first, then full-stack and software engineering: the API layer and legacy refactoring, the real-time messaging system end to end, the infrastructure migration, and mentoring three junior developers through full-stack delivery and deployment.

Backend Developer Aug 2020 – Nov 2021; Full Stack Developer Nov 2021 – Aug 2024; Software Engineer Aug 2024 – Sep 2025

Backend engineering first, then full-stack and software engineering: the API layer and legacy refactoring, the real-time messaging system end to end, the infrastructure migration, and mentoring three junior developers through full-stack delivery and deployment.

03 / Constraints

The shape of the challenge.

The GraphQL migration had to keep existing marketplace and discovery features working rather than replacing them. Messaging was delivered as a complete path — from Figma designs through the Next.js interface to the WebSocket service and push notifications.

04 / Build log

What went into it.

  1. 01

    Migrated a Django REST API to GraphQL and refactored legacy services supporting marketplace and discovery features.

  2. 02

    Delivered real-time buyer-seller messaging from Figma designs to a Next.js interface and WebSocket service, with push notifications.

  3. 03

    Migrated frontend and domain services to Cloudflare and backend infrastructure to DigitalOcean; mentored three junior developers in full-stack delivery and deployment.

05 / Decisions

What it turned on.

  • Migrate REST to GraphQL without replacing marketplace and discovery.

    Existing features had to keep working across the migration rather than being rebuilt.

  • Own the messaging path end to end, not just its interface.

    The work ran from Figma designs through the Next.js interface to the WebSocket service and push notifications.

  • Split infrastructure between two providers.

    Frontend and domain services moved to Cloudflare; backend infrastructure moved to DigitalOcean.

Flow / Migration and real time

The API migration, and the messaging path delivered alongside it.

  1. Django REST

    The existing API behind marketplace and discovery.

  2. GraphQL

    Migrated while the same features kept working.

  3. Next.js interface

    Built from the Figma designs.

  4. WebSocket service

    Real-time buyer and seller messaging.

  5. Push notifications

    Delivery when the interface is closed.

Divine's account of the engagement. Frontend and domain services moved to Cloudflare; backend infrastructure moved to DigitalOcean.

HAVE A SYSTEM TO BUILD?

Let’s make
it work.

Selected contracts & automation

Selected software contracts and business automation. Tell me what needs to work better.

↗