I find myself with a fresh golden hammer in hand every now and then, only to realize a screw would’ve been better. Following principles blindly doesn’t automatically render ‘better code’—there are always tradeoffs, and managing them is a sign of seniority and actual craftsmanship.

Most software teams are split up by technical layers—backend, frontend, and mobile. This seems logical, but it often creates bottlenecks, delays, and frustration. Mission teams flip the script: cross-functional developers own features end to end, from idea to release. This approach speeds up delivery, builds real ownership, and cuts down on endless handoffs. Too perfect to be true? It demands more upfront effort in communication and shared knowledge, but the payoff is worth it.

My wife needed a candle calculator app. I only know Android. So I used Claude Code to build a native iOS app without writing Swift. 19 days, 3 Apple rejections, and 5 hours of certificate hell later—it’s live, it works, and she’s happy.

We’ve been thinking about AI development backwards. Instead of building “AI-powered” apps, we should be building tools that power AI. The Model Context Protocol lets you create small, focused tools that LLMs can use autonomously - just like Unix commands from 1978, but orchestrated by Claude instead of bash. I built a currency converter tool and watched an LLM decide when to use it, extract dates from user prompts, and combine multiple API calls without me writing any of that logic. It’s the same composable philosophy that made Unix great, applied to making AI actually useful in the real world.

A critical look at AI-augmented coding after one month of hands-on experience with Cursor IDE. Exploring the promises versus reality of AI assistance in Android development with Kotlin and Jetpack.

Building a split ergonomic keyboard from scratch: a journey through 3D printing, soldering, and firmware programming. Despite the learning curve and typing speed challenges, discover why creating your own mechanical keyboard becomes an addictive hobby.

A chance encounter at the airport leads to insights into the real nature of technical debt in software development. Through the lens of Stoic philosophy and Lord of the Rings metaphors, this post explores how better communication between engineers and management can prevent our own Mines of Moria situations. Practical tips included for both technical leads and managers on how to discuss, document, and decide which technical dragons are worth slaying.

I had several chances to try a few ways of multiplatform software development. However, I was curious about the Kotlin Compose Multiplatform way. So I could use the technology I already know to build Android, desktop, and iOS apps, sharing internal logic, and UI elements. How hard can it be?

‘I did not study computer science to work with people’—sounds familiar? Well, I’ve got news for you: you’re still working with people, you just communicate not in the way you might think. Your code speaks volumes about your intentions and ideas. Design Patterns can amplify your coding ‘voice’ when used wisely.

Ever felt overwhelmed by endless choices when starting a new project? Join me as I dive into the chaos of backend development, battling analysis paralysis and procrastination. Discover how I learned to focus on building rather than endlessly researching, and find tips to keep your own projects on track.