Distributed. The joy of doing it right: lessons from 50 billion downloads with Jesse Wilson (Cash App, Google)
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Nov 20, 2025 Jesse Wilson, an experienced engineer from Cash App and a notable contributor to Java and Android, dives into the art of doing things the right way. He discusses the remarkable journey of Okio, the I/O library that has changed the game with over 50 billion downloads, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship. Jesse also shares insights on fostering collaboration in remote teams through spontaneous interruptions and shared tools. His philosophy highlights that enduring quality in engineering is both rewarding and necessary for long-term success.
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Build Deep Foundations
- Doing hard, foundational work can be faster and more enjoyable than hacking shortcuts.
- Solid foundations enable long-term productivity and wider adoption beyond your team.
The Okio Story
- Jesse reluctantly built Okio because existing Java I/O was brittle and blocked higher-level goals.
- Okio became a foundational success used billions of times because it solved underlying friction.
Choose Trusting Teams
- Seek out companies that trust engineers and allow multi-quarter technical bets.
- Use those environments to take risks and build foundational tools that pay off long term.