Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats

966: A Look Back at Web Dev in 2025

Wes and Scott revisit their 2025 web development predictions, grading hits and misses across AI, browsers, frameworks, CSS, and tooling. From Temporal and AI coding agents to React, Vite, and vanilla CSS, they reflect on what actually changed, what stalled, and what it all means heading into 2026. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 866: 2025 Web Development Predictions [https://syntax.fm/show/866/2025-web-development-predictions] * 01:26 Temporal API will ship in the browser * 03:33 On-device AI becomes common * 06:14 WebGPU unlocks fast local machine learning * TypeGPU [https://docs.swmansion.com/TypeGPU/examples/#example=algorithms--mnist-inference] * 07:10 Models will plateau * 10:32 Is there an actual use case for video and photo gen AI? * 13:27 Text to UI tools get really good * 16:25 Framework choice will matter less * 18:53 Web components in Standard Stack, Web Awesome [https://blog.fontawesome.com/introducing-web-awesome/] takes off * 21:37 AI browsers and Copilot Workspace [https://githubnext.com/projects/copilot-workspace]-style tools will become normal * 22:56 AI browsera will become inevitable, OpenAI [https://openai.com/] will launch a browser * 27:51 Relative color will feel fully “safe to use” * 29:02 Vanilla CSS will make a comeback * 30:33 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax] * 30:58 CSS mixins and functions spec solidifies * CSS Custom Functions and Mixins Module Level 1 [https://drafts.csswg.org/css-mixins-1/] * 33:25 Container style queries will ship everywhere * CSS if statements [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/if] * 35:40 Vertical centering jokes will stubbornly persist * 36:20 VS Code [https://code.visualstudio.com/] will reach feature parity with Cursor [https://cursor.com/] * 38:47 More VS Code forks will appear * 39:46 React Compiler [https://react.dev/learn/react-compiler] drops Babel [https://babeljs.io/] * 40:34 React server components will pop * 42:17 Remix [https://remix.run/] re-emerges as something new * 43:17 React Native [https://reactnative.dev/] will have its time * 44:21 TanStack Start [https://tanstack.com/start/latest] and Tanstack will pop * 45:46 SvelteKit [https://svelte.dev/docs/kit/introduction] gets more granular data loading * 46:06 Local first apps will take off * 46:43 Bun [https://bun.com/] keeps doing “wild but loved” non-standard features, Bun will launch a platform-as-a-service * 48:22 Vite [https://vite.dev/] stays king * 51:07 Laravel [https://laravel.com/] will release a CMS * 52:44 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs SICK PICKS * Scott: DARKBEAM Flashlight UV Black Light [https://amzn.to/4oIifrY] * Wes: WOOZOO Fan [https://www.amazon.com/Compact-Personal-Oscillating-Circulator-PCF-SC15/dp/B085B47QQK] 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]

965: Baseline 2025 Features web gained in 2025

Scott and Wes break down the biggest web platform features that reached Baseline in 2025, separating the genuinely useful APIs from the niche and forgettable ones. From same-document view transitions and the Popover API to Promise.try, content-visibility, and modern CSS goodies, they share what’s actually ready to use today. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 01:37 24 new web APIs that reached baseline in 2025 [https://web.dev/baseline/2025]. * 01:49 Same-document view transitions [https://web.dev/blog/same-document-view-transitions-are-now-baseline-newly-available] for single-page applications. * 05:28 abs() [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Values/abs] * 08:22 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax]. * 09:20 JSON Module Scripts [https://web.dev/blog/json-imports-baseline-newly-available]. * 10:10 Popover API [https://web.dev/blog/popover-baseline]. * 13:07 Base64 to UInt8Array [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Uint8Array/fromBase64]. * Better Binary Batter Mixing [https://blobfolio.com/2019/better-binary-batter-mixing-base64-and-uint8array/] * 16:11 @starting-style [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/At-rules/@starting-style] * Scott’s A CSS Only Accordion with [https://tolin.ski/cool-treats/accordion#a-css-only-accordion-with-ltdetailsgt] * Scott’s Mobile Nav [https://tolin.ski/cool-treats/mobile-nav] * 17:39 allow-discrete [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS/Reference/Properties/transition-behavior] * 21:31 Promise.try [https://web.dev/blog/promise-try-baseline] * 22:51 content-visibility [https://web.dev/articles/content-visibility] 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]

964: Markdown as a CMS is a bad idea

In this potluck episode of Syntax, Wes and Scott answer your questions about keyboard shortcuts, choosing frameworks in the age of AI, markdown vs CMSs, backup strategies, moving countries for work, staying relevant as a developer, and more! SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 02:28 Do keyboard shortcuts actually improve productivity? * Hyperkey [https://hyperkey.app/] * 08:41 What is Error Lens [https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=usernamehw.errorlens], and why use it? * Ep 956: Should I Keep Using WordPress? [https://syntax.fm/show/956/should-i-keep-using-wordpress] * 11:44 How Scott is using a Svelte 5 service worker [https://gist.github.com/stolinski/373cd1d251ff823f6203ab53147cd433] * 14:52 Does tech stack choice still matter with AI coding? * Ep 951: A first look at Remix 3 [https://syntax.fm/show/951/a-first-look-at-remix-3] * 20:15 What stack should you choose for a greenfield SaaS? * 22:38 What’s the right stack for a band website? * 28:24 Is moving countries for work worth the tradeoff? * 34:59 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax/] * 36:16 How should you manage commits with AI tools? * 40:50 Is programming still a good career in the AI era? * 47:03 How should you back up large files and media? * Ep 949: Web Dev HORROR Stories + Spooky Trivia! (Spooky Stories Pt. 1) [https://syntax.fm/show/949/web-dev-horror-stories-spooky-trivia-spooky-stories-pt-1] * Ep 962: The Home Server / Synology Show [https://syntax.fm/show/962/the-home-server-synology-show] * 53:29 What backup setup works for small teams and clients? * 55:14 How should you store sensitive files safely? * 58:07 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs SICK PICKS * Scott: Philips LED Ultra Definition [https://amzn.to/4pw3HfW] * Wes: LEGO Builder App [https://www.lego.com/en-us/builder-app] 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]

963: Hardware Hacking with Matt Brown

Scott and Wes chat with YouTuber and security consultant Matt Brown about breaking into IoT devices, extracting firmware, and decoding the hidden tech inside everyday gadgets. Matt shares his methods, the legal boundaries, and the wild stories behind his most interesting hacks. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 01:21 Curiosity in Hacking * 03:28 Understanding IoT Devices * 07:15 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax]. * 07:40 Linux vs Microcontrollers * 10:11 UART Console Access * 13:56 Firmware Extraction Techniques * 14:19 Guessing Usernames and Passwords * 19:22 Extracting Password Hashes * 23:15 Legal Considerations in Hacking * 30:06 Where does the inspiration come from? * 31:20 Using Logic Analyzers * 37:45 CAN Protocol in Automotive * 45:42 Influence of Lewis Rossman * 54:05 Sick Picks & Shameless Plugs SICK PICKS * Matt: Key Person of Influence [https://danielpriestley.com/key-person-of-influence-book/] SHAMELESS PLUGS * Matt:Matt Brown on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@mattbrwn], Brown Fine Security [https://brownfinesecurity.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]

962: The Home Server / Synology Show

Wes and Scott talk about their evolving home-server setups—Synology rigs, Mac minis, Docker vs. VMs, media servers, backups, Cloudflare Tunnels, and the real-world pros and cons of running your own hardware. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 01:35 Why use a home server? * 07:29 Apps for home servers * 16:23 Home server hardware * 18:27 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax/] * 20:45 VMs vs containers and choosing the right software * 25:53 How to expose services to the internet safely * 30:38 Securing access to your server 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]