2026-03-22

When to Use a Framework vs Vanilla JS: The 5-Question Test

A 5-question checklist to decide framework vs vanilla JS — with real bundle sizes, maintenance costs, and the hybrid path most teams miss.

2026-03-20

Image Optimization 2026: AVIF, WebP, and What Actually Moves LCP

Most image optimization guides give you 15 steps. You need 4. Here's what actually moves LCP — with real compression numbers and code.

2026-03-20

Server Components Explained: The Real Trade-offs Nobody Mentions

Not the React marketing version. When server components help, when they hurt, and 5 questions to ask before you migrate anything.

2026-03-19

Astro vs Next.js: Why Your Static Site Has 85KB of Useless JavaScript

You're shipping 85KB of React to render static HTML. Astro sends 8KB and scores Lighthouse 100. Here's when to switch and when Next.js still wins.

2026-03-18

Developer Portfolios That Get Interviews: A Hiring Manager's Take

Most portfolio advice is written by developers. Here's what someone who hires actually looks at, skips, and wishes you'd stop doing.

2026-03-18

PostgreSQL Performance Tuning: What Actually Moves the Needle

Skip the 50-parameter tuning guides. Here are the 3-4 PostgreSQL performance changes that actually matter: indexes, query patterns, and connection pooling.

2026-03-18

When to Leave Your First Developer Job (Not 2 Years)

Forget the '2 years minimum' rule. Real signals it's time to leave your first dev job — and signs you'd be leaving growth on the table.

2026-03-17

Next.js vs Remix vs Nuxt 2026: One Is Obsolete, One Wins

One meta-framework is obsolete, one wins for most teams. A senior dev's opinionated take on Next.js vs Remix vs Nuxt in 2026.

2026-03-16

State Management 2026: Zustand Won. Here's When Redux Still Wins.

Zustand is the new default for React state management in 2026. Here's when Redux still wins, when Jotai fits, and when you need no library at all.

2026-03-15

JavaScript Bundle Analyzer: Find Bloat Without Guessing

Set up bundle analyzers for Webpack, Vite, and Rollup in minutes. Read the treemap, spot bloat patterns, and fix them with concrete steps.