You can't write a compelling promotion packet about the thing you didn't build. And that's the whole problem. terriblesoftware.org/2026/03/03/n...

"What do you think?" without sharing what YOU think isn't collaboration, but more like outsourcing cognitive work. New post on why stating your position (even when uncertain) moves things forward faster. terriblesoftware.org/2026/02/02/w...

"I'm a manager now so I don't code anymore." Is that because you genuinely can't, or because you've convinced yourself you shouldn't? terriblesoftware.org/2026/01/22/w...

I spent weeks looking for an iPad math app for my 6yo Most of them were bad. Notifications, streaks, weird ads, systems designed to keep her hooked So I decided to vibe code her something without any addictive shady patterns She's been loving it, so I'm making it open source and sharing it

I switched everything (podcasts, YouTube, audiobooks) to 1x speed. New rule: if it's not worth consuming at 1x, it's not worth consuming at all. terriblesoftware.org/2026/01/08/l...

"I want to grow, but my manager isn't giving me the right opportunities." I hear this a lot. Here's the thing: even the best manager can only do so much. If you want growth, start creating your own opportunities. terriblesoftware.org/2026/01/05/c...

January: "maybe a few people will read this" Today: 230,000+ unique visitors, two #1 Hacker News posts, and a lot of emails from strangers My (writing) year in review: terriblesoftware.org/2025/12/29/a...

I wrote about AI and got backlash from an unexpected direction. Engineers didn't argue AI would replace them; they argued it couldn't even write code. That's... concerning. terriblesoftware.org/2025/12/19/t...

I've been thinking about what AI actually changes for software engineers, and what it doesn't. Wrote some thoughts: terriblesoftware.org/2025/12/11/a...

The thing that actually makes you senior isn't architecture or communication or ownership. It's being the person who makes fuzzy things concrete. terriblesoftware.org/2025/11/25/w...

New post is out 🔥 If you're copy-pasting AI responses as code review feedback, you're not helping. You're just creating more work for everyone else. Your teammates need YOUR thoughts, not ChatGPT's generic advice. terriblesoftware.org/2025/10/24/c...

Politics isn't manipulation and backstabbing. It's understanding how decisions actually get made and learning to navigate that reality. Refusing to engage doesn't make politics go away. It just means you lose by default. terriblesoftware.org/2025/10/01/s...

ICYMI: this week's Balanced Engineer Newsletter has three articles to be a more balanced software engineer: ✨ An interactive overview of Big O Notation from @samwho.dev ✨ What shouldn't be written by AI from Sean Goedecke ✨ The management skill no one talks about from @terriblesoftware.org

Read a parenting book recently (stay with me here) that completely changed how I think about management. Turns out the most important skill isn't avoiding mistakes, it's what you do after making them. terriblesoftware.org/2025/08/22/t...

"Be the pilot, not the turbulence." Great parenting advice that's equally true for management.

This is a thought provoking, bite sized little piece that boils down to, "don't give feedback on EVERYTHING, because not everything matters! give feedback on things that have impact." I think it's a *great* exercise for the feedback-giver to think through the impact they want their advice to have.

How much of your feedback is actually about performance vs. personal preference? If you can't point to specific impact, maybe the behavior that needs changing is yours. terriblesoftware.org/2025/07/18/w...

The faster tech changes, the more valuable the things that don't change become. New post on why fundamentals matter more than ever: terriblesoftware.org/2025/07/14/w...

Built a tiny zsh plugin that's been super helpful for me - converts natural language to shell commands. Just 5KB, no dependencies. Would love feedback! github.com/matheusml/zsh-ai

After 10+ years as an engineer, I became the thing I used to complain about: a manager. Finally wrote about why this relationship is so broken (and how to fix it): terriblesoftware.org/2025/06/24/w...

New post is out; I think you'll link this one! terriblesoftware.org/2025/06/13/g...

When AI says, "You're absolutely right!", something bad usually follows

Fantastic explanation of the challenges of developing in a codebase over time My fave line: “Every new requirement makes it slightly worse, but never quite bad enough to justify a complete rewrite.” terriblesoftware.org/2025/05/28/d...

Last year I wrote about how AI won't replace programmers — just like COBOL, OOP, and Low Code didn't. Got a lot of heat for it. "This time is different!" they said. A year later, we're still here. Still shipping. Still needed. terriblesoftware.org/2024/12/14/w...

Really good post. I don't necessarily agree with "but the craft" section, because if engineers stop loving what they do... they'll probably stop doing it. But again, great post. fly.io/blog/youre-a...

Hot take: Stop following DRY so religiously. I've seen more codebases destroyed by premature abstraction than by duplication. Sometimes copy-paste is the right answer. New post: terriblesoftware.org/2025/05/28/d...

Your engineers don't want you to make them "happy" — they want you to help them ship meaningful work. terriblesoftware.org/2025/05/16/m...

Your engineers don't want you to make them "happy" — they want you to help them ship meaningful work. terriblesoftware.org/2025/05/16/m...

I just published "The Hidden Cost of AI Coding" As AI coding tools make us more productive, are we sacrificing the joy that made us fall in love with programming? terriblesoftware.org/2025/04/23/t...

When I posted this, I didn't expect the amount of engagement it's been getting. People are really resonating with it.

Vibe coding is fun, but don't be fooled: it can only get you so far.

I do not think it is accurate to say "much of the interest in LLM-written code comes from business owners whose main goal is to reduce worker power." I think there are business owners who are looking for ways to move faster, who are deeply anxious about being outcompeted and left behind.

New post is out 🔥 "The real threat isn't AI—it's sticking to outdated ways while the industry evolves around you." As engineering leaders, we can't afford to ignore AI anymore. Our teams are looking for guidance on how to use these tools effectively. terriblesoftware.org/2025/04/07/m...

Strengths and weaknesses are two sides of the same coin. As managers, our job isn't to "fix" people but to help them recognize when to dial traits up or down. Just published: terriblesoftware.org/2025/03/31/y...

I have a passive theory that the manner in which junior and senior devs leverage AI assistance for coding is fundamentally different: (1/?)

★ Something Is Rotten in the State of Cupertino

Psychological safety is NOT about lack of disagreement. Psychological safety REQUIRES: * disagreement and debate * setting standards for behavior and performance, and enforcing them * telling people things they don't want to hear * courage, from the bottom up * humility, from the top down

Controversial take: teams that never argue are often the most dysfunctional ones. Here's why your team should be fighting more. terriblesoftware.org/2025/03/12/w...

I've been using this note taking system for a while, and decided to share with you all 📝 Hope you enjoy it! terriblesoftware.org/2025/02/17/a...

"It is not programmers who will be out of work. It will be the people—in every job role—who don’t become AI-assisted programmers." www.oreilly.com/radar/the-en...

Asking LLMs for life advice is modern day astrology

Modern-Day Oracles or Bullshit Machines? Jevin West (@jevinwest.bsky.social) and I have spent the last eight months developing the course on large language models (LLMs) that we think every college freshman needs to take. thebullshitmachines.com

Controversial one, but here I explain why there’s never been a better moment to be a Junior Developer. I hope you like it. terriblesoftware.org/2025/02/10/t...

"Every new wave of technology comes with it a certain amount of religion and zealotry, even if it isn’t immediately practical." - @stevesi.xyz

Woke up today and this one went viral on both HackerNews and Reddit. Thank you all 🙇 terriblesoftware.org/2025/01/22/t...

"The 7 most influential papers in computer science history" - @terriblesoftware.org This list is arguable, but I've encountered each one at some point. I've only read a couple though 😅 Not required reading, unless you study compsci, but I think experienced devs should at least know *of* them?

Effective Team Engagement Strategies for New Managers Transitioning to management is a rewarding journey of learning balance. By adapting my engagement level, I've empowered my team to grow while fostering open communication and collaboration.

I'm convinced that there is no one more productive on earth than parents of young children.

Rendering images on the terminal is tricky, so links it is for now 🤷‍♂️ Next up: • Reposts/Replies • Thread navigation • Mouse support • Onboarding screen v1 is almost here! 🚀

Bluesky inside the terminal is starting to look so good 🔥🔥🔥