Ruben Pauwels

Full stack developer · Ghent

I build web applications, from database to interface.

Full stack developer in Ghent with a focus on the backend. I have built webshops, internal platforms and production software. I also built my own platform for restaurants, live since May 2026.

  • Productfrom idea to live
  • Full stackAPI to interface
  • HostingDocker and Linux
See the platformGet in touch
A reservation passing through my platform: from the widget on the restaurant's site to the server everything runs on. I built or set up every layer myself.
My own productLive since 05/2026

Platform for restaurants

Reservations, table layout, staff scheduling, gift vouchers and analytics in one system. I started with the reservation module and grew the platform into a product that can be sold to multiple restaurants.

  1. Early 2026Development starts, with the reservation module as the first building block.
  2. 05/2026Live at Foodbar Jef in Gentbrugge. Guests make reservations and buy gift vouchers through widgets on the restaurant's site.
  3. TodayIn daily use. I keep developing it further.

Decisions and why

Own API with widgets

Every restaurant already has its own website. That is why I built the platform around an API, so reservations and gift voucher sales can be embedded in any site.

Multi-tenant

The platform is meant for multiple restaurants. Each restaurant is a separate tenant in Laravel 13, so a new customer does not need a new installation.

Queues and own hosting

Heavy work runs asynchronously through queues and jobs. Everything runs in Docker on a Linux server I manage myself, and I get an alert as soon as something goes wrong.

Reservation overview of a demo restaurant: a list with party size, time, guest and table.Table layout of a demo restaurant: the day's reservations next to a floor plan showing the status of each table.Reservation widget on a demo restaurant's website, at the step where the guest enters their details.

In a team

How I work

I work in sprints with code reviews, contribute to architecture decisions and help new colleagues get started.

Experience

  1. 04/2024 – present
    Full Stack MES DeveloperRenson, Waregem

    Production applications within an MES, with APIs to PLCs, ERP and label printers. Responsible for the architecture of new applications and the onboarding of new developers.

  2. 01/2023 – 03/2024
    Full Stack DeveloperGreen Bananas, Aalst

    Custom websites and webshops in Laravel, WordPress and Magento, from concept and analysis to optimisation.

  3. 01/2021 – 12/2022
    Team LeadCoolblue, Ghent

    A deliberate step outside development. Led a team and trained new colleagues.

  4. 12/2019 – 12/2020
    Web DeveloperDelta Solutions, Waregem

    Laravel and Vue, with direct client contact from first analysis to delivery and maintenance.

  5. 07/2018 – 11/2019
    Web DeveloperInSyPro, Sint-Gillis-Waas

    A PHP platform for claims management and scheduling in the automotive industry, used daily by customers.

Toolbox

  • PHP
  • Laravel
  • Node.js
  • REST API
  • MySQL
  • Redis
  • Docker
  • Linux
  • Nginx
  • Apache
  • React
  • TypeScript
  • Angular
  • Vue
  • Git
  • Azure DevOps
  • Jira
  • Sentry
  • Claude Code
Photo of Ruben Pauwels

Contact

For a job opening or an introduction, feel free to email or call me.

Email[email protected]Phone0471 39 56 30