Blog
Notes on TypeScript, Next.js, SQL, Go, and the craft of building fast, pragmatic web products.
blog posts
GLM rose in price… and changed everything
GLM used to be my favorite cheap model hack until the price jumped. Here is what changed and whether it is still worth using.
Top 3 Cheap Claude Code Alternatives (2026)
I spent over $500 on Claude Code before looking elsewhere. These three cheaper options keep me coding without the sticker shock.
I Built a Silence Remover (No One Pays)
I turned a small ffmpeg script into a desktop app that removes silences from videos. People around the world use it, but almost nobody pays.
China 2025 Changed My Life: A Travel Story
A chronological brain dump of my 2025 trip to China, with real tips on apps, payments, transport and the honest experience of traveling there as a Westerner.
5 Server Security Tasks for 2026
Basic security is not optional when you self-host. Here are five practical tasks I set up on every new server to avoid the classic 'they got in via SSH' moment.
Basic Self-Hosted Server Security (2026)
A practical security floor for anyone self-hosting: SSH hardening, firewall rules, automatic updates and backups so your VPS stays safe.
I Built My Own Lead Generation Tool
Lead tools keep raising prices and hiding features behind Pro plans. I got tired of it and built my own lead scraper to stay in control.
Keychron H2 HE Magnetic Keyboard Review
I tested the Keychron H2 HE magnetic-switch keyboard against my daily Lofree Flow. A quick review of how it feels for coding and whether it is worth it.
n8n Advanced Workflows: Scraper to Loops
Level up n8n with real automation patterns: e-commerce scraping, IF branches, merge nodes and loops for pagination without everything exploding.
First n8n Workflow: Discord + Cron
Build a practical n8n workflow from scratch using Discord notifications and a cron trigger. A beginner-friendly step-by-step tutorial.
Install n8n with Docker the Easy Way
Start with n8n without breaking your machine. Two Docker commands are enough to have a local workflow automation server up and running.
Use Claude Code for Only $3 per Month
Claude Code is great but the subscription adds up. Here is a legal way to use the z.ai API and bring the cost down to roughly $3 a month.
From Next.js to PHP in 1 Day with AI
I rebuilt my personal site from Next.js to PHP in one day using AI. The result: a 140KB bundle shrunk to 4KB and a much simpler stack.
Next.js Hacks 2 - Use Discord as a Logger
Send logs straight to a Discord channel instead of paying for a logging service. A simple Next.js hack for small projects and side apps.
Why Japan Is a Must-Visit Destination
A love letter to Japan from someone who does not even like sushi. Tips, cities, food, cars and why it became my favorite trip so far.
5 Apps that I ALWAYS install on all my macs
Every time I start a Mac from scratch I install these five apps. They are not filler; they are the ones that save my day-to-day workflow.
Nextjs server actions in depth
Next.js Server Actions let you run mutations and server logic from React components. A practical look at how they work and when to use them.
5 Home Server Projects (and One to Skip)
You got a mini PC and wonder what to do with it. These five home server projects give real value, plus one that sounds cool but I would not recommend.
I Built a Home Server with a €97 Mini PC
Can you build a decent home server for under €100? I tried it with a €97 mini PC and documented the hardware, setup and real-world use.
How to Build a Home Server for Self-Hosting
A practical walkthrough of my home server setup: hardware, ISP tricks, services I run and how I keep everything online without breaking the bank.
I Built an AI App for Architects in 4 Hours
A 4-hour challenge to build a full-stack app that generates AI renders for architecture students. From idea to a working prototype in one afternoon.
My Mac Setup for Programming from Scratch
How I prepare a new Mac for development in under an hour. The apps, settings and small tweaks I install so I can start coding immediately.
Track User Behavior with Microsoft Clarity
Microsoft Clarity records user sessions, heatmaps and scroll data for free. Here is how to add it to a Next.js app and actually use the insights.
MacBook Air M4 Unboxing for Programming
I unboxed a MacBook Air M4 and tested it on my programming desk. Thoughts on performance, ports and whether the keyboard lives up to the hype.
Building My Own WordPress Hosting Service
What if you built your own WordPress hosting instead of using cPanel? Here is how I set up SenseiPress, from the first prototype to a working service.
Computer Science 100% remote - uopeople
A no-fuss look at studying Computer Science 100% online with UoPeople: requirements, costs, courses, degree validity and what the calendar looks like.
OS Abstraction, Concurrency and Middleware
Personal notes from an operating systems book: what an OS does, how it handles threads and processes, middleware, and the mechanics of context switching.
Context, Redux or Zustand in Next.js?
A work project forced me to compare Context, Redux and Zustand for global state. Here is when each one makes sense in React and Next.js.
The combo of emigrating as a dev
A dev's notes on emigrating, writing daily and building a life abroad. Reflections from San Francisco on work, discipline and starting over.
Next.js Internationalization in 10 Minutes
Stop postponing i18n. Here is a 10-minute walkthrough to set up next-intl in a Next.js app and keep translations organized from the start.
My Aesthetic Desktop and PC Setup Refresh
I rebuilt my desk setup from a Frankenstein mess into a clean, aesthetic workspace. A look at the monitors, PC and small details that made the difference.
Migrate WordPress from NGINX-FPM to Coolify
Move an existing WordPress site from NGINX + PHP-FPM to a Docker setup on Coolify. A practical migration with database, files and DNS steps.
Migrate NGINX & PHP-FPM to Coolify
A step-by-step migration of a WordPress site from NGINX + PHP-FPM to Coolify, covering the database, files, permissions and DNS cutover.
Migrate WordPress VPS to Coolify + Docker
Move your WordPress site from a traditional VPS to Coolify using Docker. Step-by-step setup for MariaDB, files and DNS in Spanish.
How I Got a Free MacBook Pro by Accident
A story about luck, quitting a job and ending up with a free 2020 M1 MacBook Pro after a shipping label never made it back to the US.
Roman Numerals to Integer in JavaScript
Convert Roman numerals like III or IX to integers in JavaScript. A fun logic problem that rewards careful step-by-step thinking.
Solve Palindrome in JavaScript
LeetCode problem 9 solved in one line using JavaScript built-ins. A quick look at toString, split, reverse and why knowing the basics helps.
Solving the Two Sum Problem in JavaScript
My first LeetCode problem started as a naive O(n²) mess and ended with a hash map. A walkthrough of the mistakes and the final O(n) solution.
SQLite vs Postgres: Which Is Best for You?
SQLite or Postgres? I measured both in real scenarios to move past 'it depends'. A practical guide to picking the right database for your project.
Self-Host Next.js on Coolify in 5 Minutes
You do not need Vercel to deploy Next.js. Here is how to self-host it on a VPS with Coolify, step by step, in about five minutes.
Deploy Docker on Ubuntu with Nginx and SSL
Step-by-step guide to get an Ubuntu VPS ready for containerized apps, served by Nginx with free SSL from Let's Encrypt. No magic, just commands.
Boost Productivity with Fabric AI
Fabric turns AI prompts into reusable terminal patterns. A quick introduction to installing it, using built-in patterns and making your own.
Create a fast backend with ExpressJS
Build a backend for your next MVP without getting lost in giant boilerplates. Pure Express, clear structure and minimal files that just work.
Slack Cell Architecture Explained
How Slack scaled its architecture with cells to keep performance promises. A summary of the problem, the idea and what makes it interesting.
Convert Payoneer to Pesos Safely with Belo
The fastest way I found to turn Payoneer dollars into Argentine pesos is Belo. A step-by-step look at the integration and why I prefer it over risky options.
How to Open a US Bank Account Remotely
The next step after Payoneer is a real US bank account. What I learned about opening one remotely and why it beats relying only on fintech apps.
WordPress Deploy to Cloud Compute
Host WordPress for free on Google Cloud Compute or AWS. A step-by-step guide to set up a LAMP stack and get WordPress running on your own VM.
How to Start Charging Clients in USD
You got a contractor job and now you need to get paid in USD from Argentina. A practical guide to invoices, payment methods and keeping things legal.
Host Your Node + React App on a VPS (2/2)
Finish the deployment with free HTTPS via Let's Encrypt, fine-tune Nginx and see the live app. Part 2 closes the VPS setup from Part 1.
Host Your Node + React App on a VPS (1/2)
Deploy a full-stack Node, React and Mongo app on your own VPS. Part 1 covers Ubuntu, Nginx, PM2 and the reverse proxy setup.
8 JavaScript Array Methods to Know
Eight practical JavaScript array methods explained with examples: filter, map, some, includes, every, forEach, reduce and find.