Prototype hardening is the work that turns a convincing demo into software real users can depend on. Visnoa Systems reviews your existing code, fixes bugs, tests important user flows, improves error handling, secures configuration and sets up deployment, backups and basic monitoring. Projects typically take 1–3 weeks and start from $1,200.
Why a working demo is not production software
AI coding tools make it easy to produce something that works in a demo. Demos follow the happy path. Real users do not: they double-click buttons, paste strange input, lose connection halfway through a payment, and try to view pages they should not be able to see. Common issues we find in early prototypes include:
- API keys and passwords committed to the code;
- missing permission checks, so one user can see another’s data;
- no validation of input on the server;
- errors that crash the app or show technical messages to users;
- no backups, logging or way to know when something breaks;
- a deployment that only works on one developer’s laptop.
What our hardening service includes
- Code and architecture review. A written report of risks, ranked by severity, with a recommended plan and fixed price.
- Bug fixing. Fixes for issues that affect the agreed user journeys.
- Testing. Testing of critical flows, permissions and edge cases, plus automated tests for the most important paths where appropriate.
- Security basics. Secrets moved out of the code, access controls checked, dependencies updated, HTTPS and secure headers configured.
- Error handling. Friendly messages for users and useful logs for developers.
- Deployment. Reproducible deployment to reputable hosting with separate staging and production environments.
- Backups and monitoring. Automated backups, uptime checks and error alerts.
- Documentation. How to run, deploy and maintain the application.
What we are careful not to promise
Hardening significantly reduces risk, but no review makes software perfectly secure. Our basic security review is not a formal penetration test or compliance certification. If you handle regulated data (for example health or financial records) or need certifications, we will recommend a specialist security assessment in addition to our work.
Who this is for
- Founders who built a prototype with AI coding tools and now have real users;
- teams whose freelancer or agency has moved on, leaving code no one fully understands;
- businesses preparing to launch an internal tool to the whole company.
Pricing
An initial code review and risk report starts from $800 and is credited against the fixes if you continue. Bug fixing and hardening starts from $1,200; complex applications or major rework are quoted after the review. Deployment and cloud setup on its own starts from $400.
Hardening FAQs
Can you work on code you did not write?
Yes. Most hardening projects involve code written by someone else, an AI tool or a no-code platform. The initial review tells us — and you — what we are dealing with.
Is it better to fix or rebuild?
It depends on the code’s structure and how much of it you need. The review report will compare both options with costs, so you can decide with real information.
Do you offer ongoing support after hardening?
Yes, through a monthly maintenance plan or a development retainer.