Kai Cryan

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Who I am

About

Kai Cryan

Penultimate-year Bachelor of Information Technology student at Macquarie University (Software Technology major), based in Sydney. I work as a Junior Developer at Japan Secure Solutions, and outside that I keep building things that actually run rather than just live in theory — this site, its case studies, and the server hosting all of it are part of that habit.

Day to day that's backend work in Go against PostgreSQL and Redis, freelance WordPress builds taken from spec through to launch, a home lab running my own DNS/DHCP and home automation, and daily algorithmic practice across Java and C++ — with C/C++ fundamentals the thing I'm actively learning right now.

StudyingB.IT (Software Technology), Macquarie University
WorkingJunior Developer @ Japan Secure Solutions
Based inSydney, Australia
Currently learningC/C++ fundamentals
Go JavaScript Java C++ PostgreSQL Redis Docker Linux Git WordPress Home Assistant
Selected

Work

Next.js Sustainability Hackathon

CircularCut

Built for Climate Hack-tion 2026. A marketplace that matches small workshops' leftover material offcuts to other makers' new orders — checking material fit, blade-width and trim allowances, and buyer-approved dimension adjustments before reservation.

CircularCut homepage: a timber offcut listing matched against a cutting job, showing yield and a reserve action
JavaScript Privacy-first Hackathon

RebootLoop

Placed 5th of 24 teams at Macquarie University's Pitch for the Planet 2026. A privacy-first web app that helps students decide the safest next step for an old device — repair, reuse, donate or recycle — and walks them through secure, platform-specific data preparation before it changes hands. Built with two teammates in under two weeks.

WordPress Shopify Self-hosted

CODE369

A client-commissioned brand site spanning fashion, music, and digital tokens, built from a written spec and hand-drawn wireframe. I chose a hybrid WordPress + Shopify build — trading a fully custom storefront for faster, more reliable commerce — and self-hosted the entire stack. It went well enough to lead to a second freelance project.

Explore CODE369 →
CODE369 homepage screenshot
Docker Networking Home Automation Self-hosted

Home Lab

Replaced a stock ISP router and third-party cloud apps with a self-built ZimaOS server. AdGuard Home took over DNS/DHCP, 20 Zigbee sensors close the loop on climate control by driving automated blinds, and photo storage moved off the cloud entirely. It's the same server hosting this site.

Explore the Home Lab →
Home Assistant dashboard screenshot

More projects will be added here as they launch.

Beyond the work

Events & Showcases

Pitch Competition

Pitch for the Planet 2026

Macquarie University's Faculty of Science and Engineering sustainability pitch competition. Presented RebootLoop, placing 5th of 24 teams.

The RebootLoop team presenting their poster at Pitch for the Planet 2026
CTF Competition

Hack Mac 2026

Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub's CTF. Placed 6th in the combined division and 3rd in the Undergraduate category — named one of the event's 12 winning teams.

The Hack Mac 2026 team The live scoreboard at Hack Mac 2026, hosted by the Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub
Industry Showcase

(Tech)^US BIT Industry Showcase

Invite-only industry event at Macquarie University. Selected among 19 teams (4 winners) to present RebootLoop to industry professionals. I made the pitch video for the showcase.

The RebootLoop team at the (Tech)^US BIT Industry Showcase 2026
EU-Funded Hackathon2026

Climate Hack-tion 2026

EU-funded hackathon across Australia, NZ and the Pacific ahead of COP31, drawing 64 teams. Built CircularCut, a timber offcut marketplace, with the EarthSync team.

Say hello

Get in touch

Have a project in mind?