Ask Jeeves is not a feature factory. We treat conversion like a lab problem: measure what is slow, simplify what is redundant, and ship only what earns its place in the bundle.
Experiment, measure, simplify
Every format handler starts with a question: can this run well in a browser tab?
That means profiling load time, memory use, and perceived wait on real files — not just happy-path demos. When a library is heavier than the job requires, we look for a smaller path or defer loading until the user actually needs it.
The goal is not more options. It is the most streamlined way to get from input file to download, without leaving the client.
Browser-first constraints
Running locally changes the rules:
- No server to bail you out — if an algorithm is too slow, the user feels it immediately.
- Bundle size matters — PDF and spreadsheet code ships only when requested.
- Privacy is non-negotiable — shortcuts that require uploads are off the table.
Those constraints push us toward clear processors, explicit limits (file size, page counts), and honest error messages when a job is too big for the tab.
What we optimize for
- Speed — fast first paint, lazy heavy modules, responsive UI during long jobs
- Privacy — client-side only; see Data privacy
- Bundle size — ship the minimum JavaScript needed for the conversion you chose
See also
- File algorithms and architecture
- The office — how a lean team ships this work