Behdad Esfahbod he/they /behˈ·dɒːd ɛs·fæhˈ·boːd/ ▶
I build open-source software for the world’s writing systems.
I’m an Iranian-Canadian software engineer and consultant, best known as the author of HarfBuzz—the text-shaping engine used across major operating systems, browsers, and apps. In Persian, my name is بهداد اسفهبد.
I’ve worked on fonts & text rendering, and internationalization for more than 25 years, beginning with Persian language support. Along the way, I’ve worked at FarsiWeb, Red Hat, Google, and Facebook.
I was born in Sari, Iran, and lived in Tehran, Toronto, Menlo Park, and Seattle before settling in Edmonton, Canada.
∞ Software Projects
HarfBuzz
Text-shaping engine used in Android, Chrome, and other platforms.
HarfRust
A fully safe Rust port of HarfBuzz, widely used in the Rust ecosystem.
FontTools
Python toolkit used by fontmake and other font production tools.
Take HarfBuzz for a spin at HarfBuzz World. More open-source projects on my GitHub. For earlier work, see Past Software Projects on the résumé page.
∞ Beyond Software
Markéta Jakešová is my partner in life and crime,
and my collaborator in writing and film. Our wedding website and its
source code are public.
I’m drawn to game design, filmmaking, photography, writing, leathercraft, food, travel, mental health, psychonautics, polyamory, and alternative ways of living.
∞ Explore
Papers & Talks
25+ years of work on open-source fonts and text rendering.
Games
Playful browser games made with code, art, AI agents, and love.
Short Films
Experimental and essay films about identity, memory, and mental health.
Photography
Portraits, staged scenes, and photographs from everyday life and travel.
Writing
Poetry, memoirs, and personal writing in Persian and English.
Persian Projects
Software and literature in Persian, from practical tools to preserved works.
Iran Detention
My arrest and release by the IRGC in 2020, and what followed.
Résumé
A concise CV spanning software, game design, film, photography, and writing.
∞ Around the Web
∞ Get in Touch
Email is the best way to reach me: behdad@behdad.org