Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats 918: Extreme Native Perf on the Web with Superhuman
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Jul 9, 2025 
Loïc Houssier, VP of Engineering at Superhuman, shares insights on creating lightning-fast email software. He discusses the engineering philosophy behind Superhuman, emphasizing offline-first architecture and local databases for optimal performance. Loïc dives into how AI integration enhances productivity, streamlining the user experience. He also explores innovative design elements like contextual calendar features and the balance of functionality with a clean interface, illustrating how these elements help users achieve 'inbox zero'.
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Loïc's Personal Superhuman Journey
- Loïc initially doubted paying $30-$40 monthly for an email app when using Gmail already felt productive.
- After three weeks, the fast, delightful experience rewired his perception, making him a Superhuman user and later joining their team.
Local-First Enables 100ms Speed
- Superhuman uses local-first architecture prioritizing speed, targeting under 100 milliseconds for all user interactions.
- This offline-first approach avoids network slowness, enabling near-instantaneous responses.
Hire Product-Focused Engineers
- Hire engineers who are product and design-oriented with a keen eye for user experience details.
- Focus heavily on CSS and design principles rather than just technical skills for top-quality UI crafting.