Front-End Fire

We’re back with our first episode of 2026, and prominent software developer and YouTuber, Theo Browne, made waves recently when he announced he’d migrated his T3 Chat app from the Next.js framework to TanStack Start. It isn’t that Next.js is bad, but that the requirements of T3 Chat were better supported by TanStack Start’s architecture, and Theo breaks down his evaluation process to reach that decision.For the 10th year in a row, the JavaScript Rising Stars report drops, and the most popular projects (by GitHub stars) for the year include n8n (a workflow automation platform), react-bits (gorgeous animated React components), shadcn/ui (more UI components), and Excalidraw (virtual whiteboard for sketching and diagramming).In less stellar news, the creator of the wildly popular CSS library Tailwind announced he’s had to lay off 75% of his engineering team because AI has killed traffic to its website (and by association, Tailwind’s commercial products that drive revenue). It was hard enough before the rise of AI for OSS to get funding, and this is just another cautionary tale that we need to support the people building the tools and products so many of us use every day in our jobs.Timestamps:1:54 - Theo moves off Next.js and resulting buzz11:32 - A look at the 2025 JS rising stars23:25 - Is AI hurting Tailwind?31:03 - Lego smart bricks35:45 - What’s making us happy News:Paige - Is AI killing OSS now? Tailwind thinks soJack - Theo moved off Next.js to TanStack Start and the internet is buzzing TJ - 2025 rising starsLightning News: Lego smart bricksWhat Makes Us Happy this Week:Paige - Flip-It! Bottle emptying capsJack - Miami Hurricanes football team TJ - New Pokemon GO featuresThanks as always to our sponsor, the Blue Collar Coder channel on YouTube. You can join us in our Discord channel, explore our website and reach us via email, or talk to us on X, Bluesky, or YouTube.Front-end Fire websiteBlue Collar Coder on YouTubeBlue Collar Coder on DiscordReach out via emailTweet at us on X @front_end_fireFollow us on Bluesky @front-end-fire.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel @Front-EndFirePodcast

As the holidays approach, the hosts reflect on past predictions and share bold new forecasts for 2026. They revisit their hits and misses in web development forecasts, with a spotlight on AI's evolution. Predictions include treating HTML like assembly code and concerns over internet outages. Simple routines bring joy to the hosts, from exercising to creating fanfiction audiobooks. Exciting discussions on the rise of SolidJS and the implications of LLM-driven coding add to the festive atmosphere. Tune in for a lively year-end celebration!

Dive into the latest security vulnerabilities cropping up in React Server Components. Discover how Anthropic is giving back to the open-source community with their MCP donation. Get a sneak peek into Google's CSS developments set for 2025, including exciting new features and customizations. Plus, hear about Disney's bold move to allow user-generated content featuring beloved characters. And don’t miss whimsical discussions on twinkly Christmas lights and innovative ways to organize cables under desks!

TanStack launches its AI SDK, stirring excitement with features like chat and embeddings. The hosts dive into Anthropic's acquisition of Bun, speculating on its impact and future. A concerning resurgence of the Shai-Hulud worm infected npm packages, posing security threats. Additionally, a critical vulnerability in React Server Components prompts discussions on the necessary updates. Amid tech woes, the hosts share what brings them joy this week, from compelling books to charming TV series.

Explore Google's new Antigravity IDE, a unique fork of VS Code, and debate its potential as a game-changer. Dive into the innovative Uniwind, designed to simplify Tailwind styling for React Native developers. The podcast also tackles the ongoing Rust versus TypeScript discussion and shares insights into the recent Cloudflare outage. Plus, discover the launch of the State of React survey and hear personal highlights from the hosts, including holiday joys and intriguing gadgets!

Snapchat introduces Valdi, a new cross-platform tool aiming to compete with React Native, boasting features like hot reloading and native bindings. GitHub reveals its Agent HQ and enhances IDE integrations. TanStack DB rolls out new sync modes for real-time updates. Firefox debuts its new mascot, Kit, while also launching merchandise. Collins names 'vibe coding' as the Word of the Year, reflecting on its impact in tech. Meanwhile, hosts share their holiday joys, from light displays to inflatable decorations.

Discover the latest in web development as new AI features enhance Chrome DevTools, aiding performance analysis. HTMX leaps to version 4 alpha, focusing on streamlined updates like fetch switching. Explore the innovative AnalogJS 2.0, with improved routing and rendering. Delve into Apple's potential use of Gemini for Siri and GitHub's shift to enforce secure token creation for npm. Plus, check out the intriguing Neo home robot concept! And don’t miss out on what’s bringing joy to the hosts this week, including a fun game and a lighthearted novel.

The hosts dive into the exciting features of React Compiler, highlighting its innovative auto memoization that speeds up performance. They also explore Cursor 2.0's new agentic workflows and how it can run multiple agents in parallel. The big question arises: is the AI bubble about to burst? The hosts debate AI's true value versus its hype, the economic implications for businesses, and the challenges faced by junior developers in an AI-driven job market. They wrap up with light-hearted personal gratifications, from heated footrests to movie picks.

Discover the latest from OpenAI's impressive Atlas browser, which features inline text editing and chat capabilities. Unpack the Rust-based Vite Plus CLI, enhancing developer tools and UX. Explore highlights from the Next.js Conf, including Turbo Pack and new caching features. Vercel's Ship AI announcements bring exciting AI SDKs and micro-frontends. Dive into Anthropic's Claude Code, which integrates seamlessly with GitHub for smart coding. Plus, hear about a daring heist at the Louvre and what’s making the hosts happy this week!

Explore the revolutionary features of Remix v3, including its new renderer and manual update model. Discover what's new in Next.js 16 beta, highlighting TurboPack and updated app structures. Delve into Bun 1.3, which aims to be a comprehensive JS runtime with features like dev servers and security scanners. The hosts also cover Firefox's latest view transition support and the W3C's controversial logo redesign. Round it all off with light-hearted shares about Madison, K-pop Demon Hunters, and The Gilded Age!