Golden Hammer
ELI5 — The Vibe Check
The golden hammer is when you find a tool you love and use it for EVERYTHING — even when it's completely wrong for the job. Love React? Every project is a React app. Love PostgreSQL? Even the cache is in Postgres. 'When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.' The hammer isn't the problem — the lack of imagination is.
Real Talk
The golden hammer is an anti-pattern where a familiar technology or approach is applied universally regardless of suitability. It stems from comfort bias and resistance to learning alternatives. Examples include using relational databases for graph data, applying OOP patterns in functional codebases, or forcing microservices on simple applications.
When You'll Hear This
"Stop using Redux for everything — it's your golden hammer." / "Kubernetes is great, but not every app needs it. Don't golden-hammer it."
Related Terms
Anti-Pattern
Anti-Pattern is the opposite of a design pattern — it's a commonly used approach that looks like it solves a problem but actually makes things worse.
Architecture
Architecture is the master blueprint for your app — like deciding whether to build a house, apartment block, or skyscraper before laying a single brick.
KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
Don't overcomplicate things! The simplest solution that works is usually the best one.
Over-engineering
Building a rocket ship when you just need a bicycle.
Resume Driven Development
Resume Driven Development is choosing technologies not because they're right for the project, but because they'll look good on your resume.