Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats

In this potluck episode of Syntax, Wes and Scott answer your questions about why devs neglect their own websites, hosting shady projects (hypothetically), AI rules in version control, balancing side projects and family life, and more! SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 01:43 Why devs neglect their own websites (and how to convince your parents coding is a real job) * 07:04 AirPods [https://www.apple.com/airpods/], Nothing Ear [https://us.nothing.tech/products/ear], and the ANC struggle * 10:22 Shipping Syntax merch from Canada * 12:43 Scott’s update on Omarchy [https://omarchy.org/] and Linux laptop life * 18:05 What to do when a user account gets hacked (and how to prevent it) * 21:33 Should you commit LLM context files and AI-generated docs to Git? * 25:27 How to balance career, side projects, and family life * 29:25 Building and hosting a “legally dubious” website * 33:27 Best practices for dealing with images * 42:46 Where to find Wes’ awesome wallpapers * 44:19 Can you trust services with a generous free tier? * ServerlessHorrors [https://serverlesshorrors.com/] * 50:32 Do we still use GIFs? * 52:23 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs * 55:59 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax/] SICK PICKS * Scott: Mkv-Quicklook [https://github.com/Oil3/Mkv-Quicklook] * Wes: Momofuku Sweet & Savory Korean BBQ Sauce [https://canadashop.momofuku.com/products/sweet-savory-bbq-sauce] HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

Scott and Wes dive into Chrome’s new MCP server; a dev tools API powered by Puppeteer that gives your scripts, editors, and AI agents full access to Chrome. They break down how it works, what it can (and can’t) do, and how it might change debugging and automation for developers SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 01:15 Syntax San Francisco Meetup. * 01:55 We need your Spooky Stories! * 02:42 What is an MCP Server? * 04:28 MCP servers are not only for code editors. * 06:43 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax]. * 07:49 Dev Tools MCP is similar to Puppeteer. * 09:20 Setting up an MCP Server. * 11:36 Example of MCP with Dominos Pizza. * 13:23 Accessing Dev tools from your editor. * 14:23 In VS Code, you can “Open Link”. * 15:22 Using the MCP server. * 16:26 Chrome has Debug insights inside of chrome’s dev tools. * 18:38 Real world things the Chrome MCP server can do. * 18:43 Analyzing performance. * 19:55 Taking screenshots. * 21:17 Performance fix feedback loop. * 22:33 Remote connecting browsers. * 24:54 Browser-use. * 25:18 What are the limitations? HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

Wes and Scott talk with Kyle Cesmat about how Coinbase is writing nearly half its code with AI—while keeping quality and security front and center. They dig into tools like Cursor and Claude Code, agent-driven workflows, code review challenges, and how AI is reshaping developer productivity without replacing developers. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 03:29 Defining and measuring “quality” at a large company * 05:05 How AI-generated code is reviewed and shipped at Coinbase * 07:35 A developer’s workflow using AI—from ticket to production * 10:30 Standard vs. team-specific tools for AI development * 12:55 Using MCP servers to power internal AI workflows * 14:42 MCP vs. custom agent integrations * 17:16 What kinds of code AI is writing at Coinbase * 19:48 Which languages and tasks does AI handle best? * 21:21 Getting AI to follow existing code conventions * greptile [https://www.greptile.com/] * 24:36 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax/] * 25:01 How AI affects hiring, velocity, and developer focus * 28:16 AI’s role in speeding up code reviews * 31:28 The most valuable AI tool in Coinbase’s stack * 33:48 Managing AI costs and model choices * 35:10 Security considerations for using external AI models * 37:04 How often Coinbase tunes and adjusts its AI systems * 39:26 Using AI to write code vs. embedding AI in customer-facing features * 42:29 Kyle’s big-picture take on AI as a tool—not a magic bullet * Measuring the Impact of Early-2025 AI on Experienced Open-Source Developer Productivity [https://metr.org/blog/2025-07-10-early-2025-ai-experienced-os-dev-study/] * 44:33 The future of hiring engineers with their own “backpack” of agents * 45:53 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs SICK PICKS * Kyle: UltraShelf [https://www.ultrashelf.com/] HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

Scott and Wes sit down with Ricky Hanlon from the React core team at Facebook to dive into the latest features and APIs shaping modern React development. From transitions and Suspense to fetching strategies and future directions, this episode breaks down what’s next for React and how developers can take advantage of it. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 01:20 Who is Ricky Hanlon. * 02:10 Setting the Stage: Modern React APIs * 02:48 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax]. * 03:12 Defining Transitions in React * 05:08 Practical Examples of Scheduling. * 08:23 useDeferredValue. * 09:30 Suspense. * 11:13 Fallbacks and animations. * 12:35 How do you get psychological performance data? * 13:39 Are these considerations reasonable for the average dev? * 15:37 useOptimistic. * 17:35 Removing delayMs (referred to as maxDuration in later iterations). * 19:49 How to fetch data in React. * 21:58 Is React now just Nextjs? * 23:23 Will React give us a Signals-based state management? * 24:44 The challenges of building in public. * 30:12 Making LLMs cooperate with React. * 32:05 The lifting will happen at framework level. * 32:59 This is not time slicing. * 35:47 Sick Pick + Shameless Plug. SICK PICKS * Ricky: iPhone 17 Pro SHAMELESS PLUGS * Ricky: https://conf.react.dev/ [https://conf.react.dev/] HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

Wes and Scott talk with Dr. Courtney Tolinski about supporting neurodivergent teammates, navigating workplace dynamics, and recognizing strengths beyond labels. They explore ADHD diagnosis and treatment, productivity mindsets, burnout, AI in mental health, and practical routines for focus and balance. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 00:09 Meet Dr. Courtney Tolinski * 01:46 Supporting neurodivergent team members * 12:26 Should I disclose my ADHD diagnosis at work? * 17:21 Characteristics of autism and ADHD * 22:37 Seeking diagnosis as an adult developer * 28:04 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax/] * 32:18 Uncoupling identity from productivity * 38:06 Is overtime ever “worth it”? * 42:34 AI as a mental health tool: hope or hype? * 46:32 Will therapists be replaced by AI? * 49:29 Burnout warning signs in high-performers * 55:15 Sick picks + shameless plugs SICK PICKS * Courtney: Bentgo Glass Containers [https://bentgo.com/] HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]