About
Bruhin Software is a freelancing company founded by Freya Bruhin and located in Winterthur, Switzerland.
I’m deeply involved in various open-source software projects. However, I’m pragmatic about it: I always believe in using the right tool for the job and the given circumstances.
Consulting, Training and Development
I’m an experienced software developer. My main focus is on consulting and trainings for the following technologies:
- Python (since 2011 – Python basics, advanced Python features, many other topics)
- Graphical user interfaces with PyQt and PySide / Qt for Python (since 2013)
- Testing with pytest (since 2015)
Due to my expertise with Python, PyQt/PySide and pytest I’ve seen and experienced a lot of different use-cases and issues around those technologies. I’d be happy to help you getting started, helping you out if you’re stuck or help you follow best practices!
I’ve given trainings about various topics around Python and pytest at conferences and in companies – both as a trainer for Python Academy as well as independently.
Between September and February, I’m working as a lecturer at the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST Rapperswil, formerly HSR) part-time. There, I’m teaching Python to first-semester students, while also being the main responsible person for the course. Before that, I was a research assistant for the Operating Systems course.
Projects
- qutebrowser: Keyboard-focused web browser using Python and Qt (funded based on donations)
- pytest: Python test framework; as well as various plugins like pytest-qt (Maintainer)
- fstring.help: Guide to Python f-strings
- vscode-python-tox: tox plugin for VS Code
- herbstluftwm: Window manager, C/C++ (Contributor)
- Many smaller projects such as cloclify (CLI for the Clockify time tracking service), journalwatch (log parsing/notification utility for the systemd journal), sshtunnel (managing of SSH tunnels via systemd) and a lot more.
Talks and Trainings
Upcoming
- Professional Testing with Python (3-day in-depth training), March 3th to 5th 2026, via Python Academy, English, Remote
- pytest tips and tricks for a better testsuite, April 14th to 16th 2026, PyConDE, Darmstadt
- pytest full-day masterclass, April 17th 2026, PyConDE, Darmstadt
Company trainings
Outside of these, I have a lot of experience with on-site, remote and hybrid Python and pytest company trainings. Those typically are between 1 and 5 days long, and done both independently and via Python Academy. For more details, please get in touch!
Past public trainings
pytest introduction: Simple, rapid and fun testing with Python
- Duration: 1.5h, 3h or 4h
- Given at: Europython 2015/2016/2019/2021/2025, PyConDE 2019/2022/2025, PyConIT 2022
- Slides and Code on GitHub
- Recordings: PyConDE 2019/2022/2025
pytest tips and tricks for a better testsuite
- Duration: 1.5h or 3h
- Given at: Europython 2023/2024, PyConDE 2024
- Slides and Code on GitHub
- Recordings: PyConDE 2024
1 day trainings
Talks
- 2016: pytest - Simple, rapid and fun testing with Python (20min), Swiss Python Summit - Slides, recording
- 2019: Testing PySide/PyQt code easily using the pytest framework (30min), Qt World Summit - Slides, recording
- 2020: pytest Webinar (1h, German), via myLearning - Demos and recording
- 2021: Professionelles Testen für Python mit pytest (45min, German), enterPy - Slides
- 2021: pytest: Simple, rapid and fun testing with Python (45min), WeAreDevelopers World Congress - Slides, recording (@ 4:22:32)
- 2022: Automating teaching about automation in Python (30min), Swiss Python Summit 2022 - Slides, recording (YouTube)
- 2024: Property based testing with Hypothesis (30min), Swiss Python Summit 2024 - Slides, repository, recording (YouTube)
Frequently Asked Questions
I thought you had a different name?
My name and pronouns changed in early 2026. Consider my old information deprecated API.
Who have you worked for before?
I’m always surprised at the diversity of companies using Python/pytest and their use-cases. Among others, I’ve conducted pytest and Python trainings or did consulting at a…:
- …major global car manufacturer
- …big home appliances producer (testing washing machines and refrigerators with pytest)
- …company in the energy electronics sector (controlling a climate chamber with a pytest fixture)
- …well-known name in Formula One
- …leader in insurance and financial services
- …provider of an alerting system for emergency services
- …governmental health organization
- …expert in semiconductor manufacturing
What’s up with the bear paw in the logo?
As the legal form of Bruhin Software is a sole proprietorship business (“Einzelfirma”), it needs to contain my last name, Bruhin. The family coat of arms for Bruhin often contains a bear paw. The logo consists of such a paw symbolizing Bruhin and the “<>"-symbols standing for code/software.
Contact
Mail: [email protected]
LinkedIn: freya-bruhin
