Notes On Work - by Caleb Porzio

Thoughtful reflections on whether AI truly speeds up developer work. Skepticism about flashy parallel agent demos and the real costs they hide. Stories of an LLM fixing a tricky bug and times AI produced messy, hard-to-maintain code. A call to plan and scope work more rigorously to get reliable AI outputs. Imaginative thinking about always-on voice assistants that autonomously manage repos.

This week features exciting AI innovations! Learn about Sprites, which creates instant Linux boxes for experiments. Discover how to use Claude within these VMs for safer tasks and how to expose services effortlessly. Caleb shares insights on Claude Desktop, revolutionizing coding workflows with GitHub integration. Plus, the Ralph technique helps combat context rot in AI tasks. Lastly, the podcast discusses AI-driven browser testing with Playwright MCP, enhancing your automation game!

The discussion kicks off with a humorous take on parenting and the nuances of potty training, highlighting the difference between peeing and the daunting task of pooping. Caleb shares anecdotes about successes and setbacks in his child's potty journey, including the power of incentives like suckers. Reflecting on proactive parenting strategies, he likens it to shaping behavior like a trainer. The podcast touches on food battles and the daily grind of routines, before revealing exciting news about a growing family dynamic.

Caleb reflects on the reliable Toyota Corolla that served him for over a decade, sharing its impressive 200,000-mile journey. He discusses the benefits of snow tires and their role in winter safety. The story highlights family values through the lens of Grandpa Richbart, who gifted the car and emphasized generous living. With anecdotes of family dinners funded by Grandpa, Caleb champions the idea of giving while alive to improve loved ones' lives. The Corolla's demise sparks a poignant tribute to enduring love and practicality in life.

Start your day by tackling the tasks you dread most to beat procrastination. Caleb highlights common avoidable tasks like editing and bug fixes, pinpointing a lack of clarity as a major reason for avoidance. He emphasizes the importance of establishing focus and utilizing automation to reduce friction. By turning unclear tasks into clear projects in the morning, you build momentum. Using AI can help kickstart your work, but finishing it is vital. Finally, anticipate questions and deliver fully prepared work to streamline the process.

Caleb dives into the magic of view transitions, discussing how they enhance user experience in web applications. He explains the history behind wire transitions, the mechanics of document.startViewTransition, and the importance of naming elements for smooth morphing. Practical examples reveal how these transitions compare to traditional animations, even showcasing their use in presentations. Caleb also addresses challenges like timing issues and the quirks developers face, all while exploring how to seamlessly integrate with tools like Livewire.