Brandan Kraft
Published author · Full-stack developer · AI integrator · Christian writer & speaker
I build production web applications from the ground up — backend architecture, frontend interfaces, database design, and AI integration. I've been writing software professionally since 1994 and shipping side projects since 1997.
Book
A Thought in the Mind of God
A Systematic Theology · First Edition, 2026
"Everything that exists is a thought in the mind of God, sustained by His will, authored by His purpose, and held together by personal covenants of love."
This book starts with one sentence and derives everything from it. Every doctrine. Every position. Every application. From the nature of time to the meaning of baptism. From the decrees of God to the question of women in ministry. It belongs to no camp, follows no party line, and fits inside no fence.
30 chapters across nine parts. Free digital edition · Hardback & paperback coming soon.
Read the BookDevelopment
Backend
PHP 8, Java, Python, MariaDB, Oracle, SQLite. Custom MVC architectures, REST APIs, multi-tenant SaaS, database migrations, Unix/Linux administration.
Frontend
Bootstrap 5, vanilla JavaScript, responsive mobile-first design. Swipe gestures, drag-and-drop, real-time AJAX interfaces. Clean, fast, no framework bloat.
AI Integration
OpenAI & Anthropic APIs in production. AI-powered case assessments, content summarization, semantic search with vector embeddings, custom AI assistants, automated classification pipelines.
Projects
GrieveRight
Multi-tenant SaaS for union grievance management. Role-based access, AI-powered case assessments, PDF generation, Stripe billing, Meilisearch, Twilio notifications, Playwright E2E testing.
Pristine Grace
Theology platform since 1997 with 11,000+ articles, sermons, and devotionals. Host of the Pristine Grace Podcast. AI-powered summarization, topic classification, semantic search, Q&A extraction, and Joshua — a custom AI Bible study assistant.
Shuttle
Native macOS app that bridges the terminal and the Mac desktop. Floating copy popup, URL fixer, Telegram integration. Built with Swift and SwiftUI.
Second Brain
A custom AI agentic system — not OpenClaw or any off-the-shelf tool. Built on Obsidian, Claude Code, and a network of custom skills and automations that manage my priorities, draft emails, monitor inboxes, sync data across devices, generate daily briefings, and capture decisions and context across every project I touch. The goal: offload all cognitive overhead so I only think about creative work, relationships, and music.
bkraft.org
This site — a personal dashboard and automation hub. Task management, vault sync, AI-generated standups, job queue, file uploads. All custom PHP, no frameworks.
Music
I've played slide trombone since 1987 and picked up euphonium and valve trombone along the way. My favorite jazz trombonist is Bob Brookmeyer, whose valve trombone playing redefined what the instrument could do in a jazz setting. I study with Barry Mosley when possible — a dedicated valve trombonist carrying on that tradition.
Current Ensembles
Marshall University Tri-State Brass Band
Huntington, WV
Yamaha YSL-882GO Xeno — a large bore (.547") tenor trombone with open-wrap F attachment and gold brass bell. A serious orchestral and concert band horn.
Huntington Symphonic Concert Band
Huntington, WV
Euphonium — the tenor voice of the brass section, carrying melodies and counterlines in the concert band setting.
Greater Huntington Jazz Band
Huntington, WV
1961 King 3B Silver Sonic valve section or 1962 King 2B Silver Sonic slide — vintage H.N. White horns with sterling silver bells, prized for their warm, centered tone and effortless projection.
Background
BS Computer Science from Missouri S&T (1998). I've spent 27 years at USPS as a Senior Computer Systems Developer — leading development on the Facilities Database that serves data for all 50,000+ postal facilities to 70-80 downstream systems. I've led Scrum-of-Scrums across 10-20 teams for national price changes, district realignments, and infrastructure modernizations.
Certified PMI Agile Practitioner (PMI-ACP) and SAFe Agilist. Also an elected union officer — APWU Assistant Support Services Director representing 200+ IT and Accounting employees.
Outside of code: euphonium and trombone player in three community bands, and I like building things that solve problems I actually have.