Architecture & Operating Costs

Lean-cost launch stack with a documented growth path.

This page turns the planning work into visible implementation guidance: stack, hosting pattern, growth tiers, and a simple operating cost worksheet suitable for launch budgeting.

Tier 1 · Launch

$180-$420

Managed hosting, Postgres, object storage, email and analytics for a small team with early student growth.

Tier 2 · Growth

$450-$1,250

More cohorts, more courses, heavier media, stronger analytics and more concurrent instructor usage.

Tier 3 · Expansion

$1,500+

Broader institutional reach, heavier streaming, partner operations and possible mobile API scaling.

Recommended Lean Stack

  • Next.js + TypeScript frontend and app backend
  • PostgreSQL + Prisma data model
  • Stripe payments
  • S3-compatible media storage
  • Role-based authentication
  • PostHog plus internal learning events

Growth Assumptions

  • Initial scale: up to about 1,000 learners
  • Two launch courses plus future pipeline
  • Video bandwidth is the main cost variable
  • Managed services reduce ops burden at launch

Operating Cost Worksheet

Category Indicative monthly cost Notes
App hosting$20-$80Traffic and build volume dependent
Managed Postgres$20-$100Storage and connection profile dependent
Object storage$10-$60Documents, thumbnails, certificates and light media
Video bandwidth$0-$250+Main cost driver as learners and watch-hours rise
Transactional email$0-$35Enrollment, invoices, reminders and alerts
Analytics$0-$120Depends on event volume and plan tier
Live session tooling$0-$200+Depends on meeting platform and seat count