About Biraj Rai
I'm Biraj Rai, a software engineer and founder. As co-founder and CTO of Shrepy, I lead engineering for an e-commerce platform serving Indian businesses. My approach is shaped by years of building products and running infrastructure for real users, from hobby game servers to production web applications. For the full backstory, read my journey from Minecraft to software engineer.
How I work
My approach to software is pragmatic. I believe in shipping fast, iterating with real users, and choosing the right tool for the job. Whether it's a React frontend, a Go microservice, or a PostgreSQL schema design, I focus on what delivers value. I have built products solo from idea to deployment, owning the infrastructure, the code, and the user experience.
Philosophy
I believe in shipping fast, iterating with real users, and choosing the right tool for the job. Over-engineering kills more projects than under-engineering. I would rather have a working product with rough edges than a perfect product that never ships.
Goals
Build products that solve real problems for real people. Grow Shrepy into a platform that serves thousands of businesses. Contribute to Nepal's tech community by mentoring and sharing knowledge. Eventually build something that outlives me.
Education
I am self-taught. I started with Minecraft servers at 9 years old, learned Java by running servers, then moved to modding, freelancing, and building web products. I did not go to college for computer science. I am currently in Class 12 studying science, with physics, chemistry, and computer science, while working as a software engineer.
Community
I contribute to Nepal's tech community by writing about software engineering on my blog, sharing knowledge, and exploring how technology can solve local problems. I am based in Hetauda and open to freelance projects, founding engineering roles, and collaborations that make an impact.
Common questions about Biraj Rai
Who is Biraj Rai?
Biraj Rai is a self-taught software engineer and founder from Hetauda, Nepal. He builds web products and infrastructure and currently leads engineering at Shrepy as co-founder and CTO.
What does Biraj Rai do?
He leads engineering for Shrepy, a company he co-founded. He also takes freelance projects, writes about software engineering on his blog, and contributes to Nepal’s tech community.
Where is Biraj Rai based?
He is based in Hetauda, Nepal, and works remotely with clients and teams. For his phone number, see the contact page.
Is Biraj Rai available for work?
Yes. He is open to freelance projects, founding engineering roles, and collaborations that make an impact.
What tech does Biraj Rai use?
He works mostly with TypeScript, JavaScript, Go, PHP, Java, Kotlin, Python and SvelteKit. The full list is on the stack page.
What languages does Biraj Rai code in?
TypeScript, JavaScript, Go, PHP, Java, and Kotlin. He uses Go with Gin and chi for backend services, and also works with NestJS, Fastify, Hono, and Laravel.
What database does Biraj Rai use?
PostgreSQL. He has also used MongoDB, for example on the MineScout server directory.
What DevOps tools does Biraj Rai use?
Docker, AWS, Linux, and CI/CD pipelines. He handles infrastructure and deployment for the products he builds.
What does Biraj Rai use for his daily driver?
Arch Linux is his main operating system. He runs it on an Intel i3 4th gen laptop with 8GB RAM and a 512GB HDD, and keeps an i5 11th gen laptop as a secondary machine. He is not a fan of Microsoft, but makes an exception for Minecraft.
Where does Biraj Rai run his tools?
On his own server, isolated from each other. He runs most of his tools and services on an 8 vCPU server with 32GB RAM, 400GB of NVMe storage, and 32TB of bandwidth, rather than on his laptop.
What hardware does Biraj Rai use?
Two desktops, an Arch Linux laptop, an i5 11th gen daily laptop, an 8 vCPU server, and a set of peripherals and monitors. The full list is on the hardware page.
What products has Biraj Rai built?
Bharosilo, Nimantra, Shrepy, Bloom, MineScout. Details are on the work page.
What is Bloom?
Bloom is a multipurpose Discord bot built by Biraj Rai. It handles music, moderation, Minecraft integration, leveling, ticketing, giveaways, and more.
What is Shrepy?
Shrepy is an all-in-one e-commerce platform for Indian businesses. It bundles storefront building, UPI and card payments, shipping, inventory, and marketing, and Biraj Rai is its co-founder and CTO.
What is Nimantra?
Nimantra is an event discovery and hosting platform for Nepal. Users browse events by category, RSVP, and buy tickets with QR check-in, while organizers list events and manage guest lists.
What is Bharosilo?
Bharosilo is a business review platform for Nepal that Biraj Rai built from scratch, owning the backend, frontend, infrastructure, and deployment.
What services does Biraj Rai offer as a freelancer?
Web applications, Discord bots, and automation tools built end to end. He has worked with clients across web development and backend services.
How did Biraj Rai become a software engineer?
He is self-taught. He started with Minecraft servers at 9 years old, learned Java and web development by building and breaking things, and eventually moved into freelance and product work. The full story is on his blog.
Does Biraj Rai have a computer science degree?
No. Biraj Rai is self-taught and did not go to college for computer science. He is currently in Class 12 studying science, with physics, chemistry, and computer science, while working as a software engineer.
What Minecraft servers has Biraj Rai run?
DaPirates, Neppixel Network, Crackpixel Network, Minecraft Nepal (MCNP), 2N2F, Azerith Network, Celestial Network. The biggest was DaPirates, a Java survival server he founded that peaked at 120+ concurrent players.
Is Biraj Rai on social media?
Yes. GitHub, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Discord. All profiles are listed on the links page.
How can I contact Biraj Rai?
The easiest way is email at me@raibiraj.com.np. Phone and social options are on the contact page.
What is DaPirates?
DaPirates was a Minecraft Java survival server founded by Biraj Rai in 2019 that peaked at 120+ concurrent players before it sunset in 2024.
What does Biraj Rai write about?
He writes about software engineering, infrastructure, and building products, with a recurring thread on Minecraft server development. All posts are on the blog.
When did Biraj Rai start playing Minecraft?
In 2015, when he was 9 years old. He moved to Java servers in 2017 and founded the DaPirates network in 2019.
What is MineScout?
MineScout was a Minecraft server directory for the Nepali gaming community. It listed servers, tracked live player counts, and let players vote daily to rank favorites. It went live in October 2025 and wound down in 2026.
What is PocketMine-MP?
PocketMine-MP is open source server software for Minecraft Bedrock Edition written in PHP. It is what Biraj Rai first used to run Minecraft servers in 2015.
How many players did DaPirates peak at?
120+ concurrent players. It scaled from 15 to 20 regular Nepali players in the early days to a peak of 120+ before sunsetting in 2024.
How is raibiraj.com.np built?
It is built with Astro 7 using a typed data layer in src/data for all content, styled with SCSS, and built with Bun. It deploys to GitHub Pages from a push to main.
Does this website have an RSS feed?
Yes. The feed is available at /rss.xml and lists every blog post.
How can I read Biraj Rai’s blog?
All posts are on the blog page at /blog, sorted newest first. He writes about software engineering, infrastructure, and Minecraft server development.
What is Biraj Rai’s email address?
me@raibiraj.com.np. It is the fastest way to reach him.
What is Biraj Rai’s phone number?
See the contact page for his phone number. He is based in Hetauda, Nepal.
Is Biraj Rai on Discord?
Yes. His Discord server is at discord.gg/B5tUEtB8TP, where he shares updates and connects with the community.
What timezone does Biraj Rai work in?
Nepal Time (NPT), which is UTC+5:45. He works remotely with clients and teams.
How long has Biraj Rai been freelancing?
He started freelancing in 2021. His first month earned around Rs. 50,000, and he went on to build web applications, Discord bots, and automation tools for clients.
Does Biraj Rai still play Minecraft?
Yes. He has a hardcore world he has survived in since 2022, making it his longest streak at over 4 years. He builds redstone farms and has a private SMP for friends. He also plays on YetiCraft (play.yeticraft.xyz) and is part of team DJ with DJultimatexd and rt40fm.
What is Biraj Rai working on right now?
He is currently building Shrepy (e-commerce platform), Nimantra (event platform), and Bloom (Discord bot). He is also learning Kotlin and systems design. See the now page for the latest.
What software does Biraj Rai use?
He uses Arch Linux as his daily driver, VS Code and Neovim for editing, Bun as his primary runtime, and SvelteKit for frontend work. The full list is on the uses page.