Scaling up

Shapeshift is architected to provide a highly scalable and resilient platform for online learning.

It has been designed using industry-leading practices to remain performant as user demand grows, with examples of clients handling over 7 million module enrollments.

Development practices

Scalability begins with consistent, high-quality development processes:

  • Pull requests and code reviews
  • Clear and enforced coding guidelines
  • Careful and thorough testing
  • Testing of client-specific and customized Shapeshift instances

These practices ensure that new features and customizations do not compromise performance or reliability.

Modular architecture

Shapeshift is built on a modular platform that supports easy substitution and customization.

Our default setup uses PostgreSQL databases and DigitalOcean Spaces, but the system can be adapted to suit your needs. The modular design allows efficient swapping of modules at any point in the development process, giving you flexibility to evolve your implementation over time.

You can:

  • Modify the platform to align with your business requirements
  • Make small or large-scale changes to the application’s structure or appearance
  • Change deployment environments based on your infrastructure preferences

Shapeshift is optimized to work with major cloud service providers such as AWS, GCP, and Azure, as well as containerization platforms like Docker and Kubernetes.

Broad environment compatibility

Shapeshift uses well-established, widely supported technologies, ensuring long-term stability and compatibility across environments:

  • React
  • Node.js
  • Strapi
  • npm

These technologies are actively maintained and conform to industry standards, making Shapeshift reliable and future-ready.

Database scaling

Shapeshift can integrate with any modern database technology. The default configuration uses PostgreSQL, but alternative database engines can be adopted depending on performance, cost, or architectural requirements.

This flexibility allows horizontal or vertical scaling to accommodate growth in user base and data volume.

Content Delivery Network (CDN)

All static content in Shapeshift, including course files, images, and documents, is delivered through a robust Content Delivery Network (CDN) powered by AWS CloudFront.

The CDN ensures:

  • Globally distributed edge locations for faster access
  • Reduced latency and load times for learners
  • Reliable delivery of content regardless of user location