Discussion around operating costs on the Internet Computer (ICP) gained attention this week after long time developer @SnassyIcp shared reflections on building applications on the network, prompting a detailed response from Dominic Williams outlining how upcoming changes are intended to function within ICP’s broader roadmap.
Posting on X, Snassy described the practical realities of developing on ICP since its early days, explaining that managing cycle consumption has shaped how many applications are designed. He noted that developers often move large portions of processing into the user’s browser rather than running tasks fully on chain, a strategy aimed at reducing operational costs while maintaining performance.
According to his account, several ICP applications rely on efficiency driven design choices that differ from traditional web development. Projects such as Swaprunner operate largely through browser side execution, allowing users to interact directly with backend services without continuously consuming cycles. He explained that this approach has helped certain applications remain viable despite relatively modest user activity and liquidity levels across parts of the ecosystem.
Snassy also highlighted examples from his own work, including early indexing tools that updated only when users visited a webpage rather than running continuously. While unconventional compared with other platforms, he described such solutions as necessary adaptations to maintain affordability within an on chain environment. His post expressed concern that higher infrastructure costs could make similar projects harder to sustain for independent builders.
Dominic Williams responded by offering additional context around the proposed adjustments and the evolving nature of development on ICP. He emphasised that the platform’s developer base is expanding beyond traditional programmers, pointing to growing numbers of users building applications through AI assisted tools such as Caffeine and autonomous coding systems.
Williams said this shift represents a change in how software may be created in the near future, with AI agents increasingly participating in development workflows. Examples shared included complex applications produced by semi technical users using AI coding tools within short timeframes, suggesting that ICP is positioning itself to support both human developers and automated agents operating directly on chain.
Addressing pricing specifically, Williams explained that the proposed increase in subnet memory costs reflects the characteristics of replicated on chain computation rather than standard cloud storage. Memory on ICP, he said, allows application logic to read and write data directly across decentralised infrastructure, which differs from static file storage services commonly used for comparison.
He added that typical consumer or business applications would require relatively small memory allocations, keeping annual operating expenses limited in many scenarios. The network’s governance system, he noted, allows parameters to be adjusted over time if changes produce unintended outcomes.
The exchange offers insight into how builders and protocol leadership are thinking about sustainability as ICP continues to evolve. Developers remain focused on day to day efficiency and affordability, while platform architects are preparing for a future shaped by AI driven development and broader mainstream applications.
As governance discussions progress, community feedback continues to play a role in shaping how infrastructure costs and incentives develop, reflecting an ongoing effort to balance technical capability with practical deployment needs across the Internet Computer ecosystem.
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