The Weekly Dev's Brew

Micro-frontends promise to help teams scale development, but AWS Principal Architect Luca Mezzalira has seen some succeed and some just fall apart. In this conversation, he shares what he's learned from years of implementation work at companies like DAZN and through consulting with Fortune 500 organizations.Luca explains why micro-frontends are fundamentally different from components—something many teams get wrong from the start. He discusses the common pitfalls he encounters: teams treating them like distributed components, sharing state across boundaries, and copying architectures from companies with completely different constraints and resources.The discussion covers practical implementation details—from communication patterns and tooling strategies to when approaches like iframes actually make sense. Luca also touches on newer developments in server-side rendering and how they're changing the micro-frontend landscape.This isn't about micro-frontends being good or bad, but about understanding when and how to use them appropriately. Luca emphasizes the importance of context and organizational design in making these architectural decisions work.Our Fantastic Guest - Luca MezzaliraI’m a software architect with over 20 years of experience helping organizations—from startups to Fortune 500s—design scalable, resilient, and modern architectures. My focus: evolving frontend systems, driving cloud-native modernizations, and enabling autonomy at scale through architectural clarity.As Principal Serverless Specialist Solutions Architect at AWS, I advise global enterprises on designing and implementing efficient, event-driven systems. I specialize in serverless, micro-frontends, and distributed architectures that align technology strategy with long-term business outcomes.LinkedIn X/TwitterLinks and ResourcesLuca's Newsletter  Single-spa  Module Federation  Native Federation  Web Fragments (Microsoft)  Astro Server Islands Thank you very much for listening! We are also pretty much on all social media platforms, so make sure to like and subscribe!Homepage - https://www.weeklybrew.dev/ BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/weeklybrew.devInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeklydevsbrew/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeklybrew.devYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theweeklydevsbrewLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/the-weekly-dev-s-brew

Why CSS is Now the Fastest-Moving Space in Web Development (with Una Kravets)While everyone's talking about AI disrupting development, Una Kravets from Google Chrome reveals a surprising twist: CSS has quietly become the fastest-evolving part of web development. In this conversation, Una breaks down how features that required months of JavaScript engineering are now landing as native platform capabilities. Think customizable dropdowns, anchor positioning, and scroll-driven animations. She shares insights from working directly with Chromium engineers and explains why senior developer expertise is becoming more valuable than ever, even as AI lowers the barrier to building applications.Una walks through her process for identifying platform gaps and working with standards bodies like Open UI. She also tackles the unique challenge of scaling web platform knowledge in an AI-driven development landscape, sharing her mixed feelings about AI's current applications. From her success building Chrome extensions with Gemini to her frustration with chat-based customer service, Una argues for using AI where it makes sense while maintaining the human elements that make the web engaging. Whether you're skeptical about AI's role in development or curious about the cutting-edge of CSS, this conversation offers a grounded yet forward-thinking perspective on the future of web development.Our Fantastic GuestUna KravetsUna Kravets leads the Web UI Developer Relations Team at Google Chrome with a mission to make the web platform easier to build on and more powerful. She hosts the CSS Podcast and has spoken at over 100 conferences around the world helping folks build better web interfaces. When Una isn't online, she loves to craft and recently became a mom.XBluesky WebsiteLinks and ResourcesEmil Kowalski's React motion course animations.dev Google's web development guidance and feature announcementsOpen UI Community GroupCSS Working Group GitHub Web Platform TestsThank you very much for listening! We are also pretty much on all social media platforms, so make sure to like and subscribe!Homepage - https://www.weeklybrew.dev/ BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/weeklybrew.devInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeklydevsbrew/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeklybrew.devYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theweeklydevsbrewLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/the-weekly-dev-s-brew

What does it take to build a web browser when everyone says it's impossible? In this episode, we sit down with Andreas Kling, the engineer behind Ladybird—the only major browser project that doesn't take money from Google.Andreas breaks down a uncomfortable truth: Google funds every major browser through search deals. Chrome, Firefox, Safari—they're all dependent on Google's advertising revenue. Ladybird is building the first truly independent alternative since the early Firefox days.We dive deep into the technical challenges of implementing web standards from scratch, why their 700,000 lines of code can compete with Chrome's 100+ million, and how they're making browser code that actually mirrors the specifications. Andreas reveals why they switched from UTF-8 to UTF-16, why they didn't choose Rust, and how they handle the constant evolution of living web standards.From the "draw the owl" problem of CSS specifications to building a sustainable nonprofit model with sponsors like Shopify, Andreas shares the engineering and business decisions behind their ambitious timeline: alpha in 2026, beta in 2027, and v1.0 by 2028.Our Fantastic GuestAndreas KlingPresident of the Ladybird Browser Initiative.XLinks and ResourcesLadybird Browser WebsiteWeb Platform TestsFil-C (memory-safe C++ compiler)Thank you very much for listening! We are also pretty much on all social media platforms, so make sure to like and subscribe!Homepage - https://www.weeklybrew.dev/ BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/weeklybrew.devInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeklydevsbrew/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeklybrew.devYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theweeklydevsbrewLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/the-weekly-dev-s-brew

What does it take to accidentally become the maintainer of one of React's most popular libraries? In this episode, we sit down with Dominik Dorfmeister (aka. TkDodo), maintainer of React Query (now TanStack Query), to unpack his unexpected journey from answering Discord questions during COVID to maintaining a library with 10 million weekly downloads.Dominik reveals how spending months just helping people on Discord led to becoming a core maintainer of the TanStack ecosystem. We dive deep into React Query's stability-first approach, the challenges of managing breaking changes across multiple frameworks, and why the React adapter is surprisingly the most complex to maintain.From deleting 20,000 lines of dead code at Sentry to building platform teams that enable developer productivity, Dominik shares insights into maintaining software at scale. Our Fantastic GuestDominik Dorfmeister Software Engineer from 🇦🇹, working at Sentry, maintaining TanStack QueryBlueSkyLinks and ResourcesDominik's Blog Query.gg Knip Docs Thank you very much for listening! We are also pretty much on all social media platforms, so make sure to like and subscribe!Homepage - https://www.weeklybrew.dev/ BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/weeklybrew.devInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeklydevsbrew/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeklybrew.devYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theweeklydevsbrewLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/the-weekly-dev-s-brew

What does it take to build one of the fastest-growing database ORMs from scratch? In this episode, we sit down with Andrii Sherman, co-founder of Drizzle, to unpack their philosophy: "If you know SQL, you know Drizzle."Andrii breaks down why their "headless ORM" approach is winning over developers frustrated with traditional ORMs. We dive deep into Drizzle's smart migration system, the growing ecosystem (DrizzleKit, DrizzleStudio), and how they've built a sustainable business model around open source with a 15-person team—all while working from Ukraine.From SQL template tags to building developer tools that don't get in your way, Andrii reveals the engineering decisions behind Drizzle's rapid adoption. We explore their unique approach to database migrations, why they're still not v1.0, and how they've created an entire ecosystem of tools that just work.Whether you're curious about modern database tooling, open source sustainability, or building developer-first products, this conversation offers rare insights into creating technology that developers actually love using.Our Fantastic GuestAndrii Sherman Drizzle Team co-founderX (formerly twitter)Links and ResourcesDrizzle TeamDrizzle ORM DocumentationDrizzle ORM v1 RoadmapDeep State ProjectSponsor DrizzleThank you very much for listening! We are also pretty much on all social media platforms, so make sure to like and subscribe!Homepage - https://www.weeklybrew.dev/ BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/weeklybrew.devInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeklydevsbrew/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeklybrew.devYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theweeklydevsbrewLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/the-weekly-dev-s-brew

Ever wondered who actually decides how JavaScript evolves? In this episode, Jan-Niklas Wortmann sits down with Daniel Ehrenberg, President of Ecma International and long-time TC39 contributor, talking about how the language evolves—from vague idea to official spec.We unpack how proposals move through the stages, the philosophy behind JavaScript’s gradual evolution, and why some ideas never make it into the spec. From syntax debates to ecosystem pressures and the role of Babel, bundlers, and browser vendors—this conversation gives you a rare inside look at how your favorite language changes.Whether you’re a JS nerd, framework author, or just curious about why import() works the way it does, this episode pulls back the curtain.Our Fantastic GuestDaniel EhrenbergDaniel Ehrenberg is a software engineer on Bloomberg’s JavaScript Infrastructure & Tooling Engineering team. He serves as the Vice President of Ecma International and contributes to Ecma TC39, the JavaScript standards committee. Daniel has dabbled in WebAssembly and web standards as well, both while at Bloomberg and in his previous positions at Igalia, a free software cooperative, and at Google on the V8 team, the JavaScript engine in Chrome.BlueskyChapters00:00 - Welcome & Inside TC39: How JavaScript Evolves08:03 - The Politics of Proposals & Consensus Building16:05 - Syntax Innovation and Ecosystem Challenges24:06 - Influencers of the Spec: Babel, Bundlers & Beyond32:09 - Future Features: Import Defer, TS Gaps & Module Plans40:00 - Community Involvement & What Comes NextProduction support for this video was kindly provided by WebStorm. Thanks for helping bring this idea to life!Thank you very much for listening! We are also pretty much on all social media platforms, so make sure to like and subscribe!Homepage - https://www.weeklybrew.dev/ BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/weeklybrew.devInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeklydevsbrew/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeklybrew.devYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theweeklydevsbrewLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/the-weekly-dev-s-brew

Join us in this insightful episode of The Weekly Dev's Brew as we sit down with Jeff Cross, co-founder of NX, to explore the evolution of monorepos and their impact on modern web development. Jeff shares his journey from working on the Angular team to launching his own successful ventures, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the tech industry. Discover how NX is transforming enterprise development with JavaScript frameworks and what the future holds for open source and AI in software engineering. Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with expert insights and practical advice for developers and entrepreneurs alike.Our Fantastic GuestJeff Cross - Co-founder and CEO of Nx.X (Twitter)LinkedInThank you very much for listening! We are also pretty much on all social media platforms, so make sure to like and subscribe!Homepage - https://www.weeklybrew.dev/ BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/weeklybrew.devInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeklydevsbrew/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeklybrew.devYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theweeklydevsbrewLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/the-weekly-dev-s-brew

In this episode of The Weekly Dev's Brew, Jan sits down with Maya Shavin, Lead Software Engineer at Salesforce and mother of four, to explore an unconventional truth: parenting might be the best management training you never knew you needed. From navigating tantrums (both toddler and teammate) to mastering the art of patience in code reviews, Maya reveals how raising four kids transformed her approach to leading engineering teams. We dive deep into her journey from startup culture at Cloudinary to the corporate giants of Microsoft and Salesforce, uncovering why being "senior" means something completely different at each scale. Plus, Maya shares her bold prediction about which developer roles AI will replace first (spoiler: it's not what you think). Whether you're a parent juggling career growth, a team lead struggling with mentorship, or simply curious about work-life balance in tech, this episode delivers practical wisdom from someone who's mastered both domains.☕ Grab your brew and discover why some of the most valuable leadership skills might come from outside the office.Our Fantastic GuestMaya Shavin Lead Software Engineer at Salesforce, passionate about frontend development, Vue author, and mom of 4WebsiteX (Twitter)Thank you very much for listening! We are also pretty much on all social media platforms, so make sure to like and subscribe!Homepage - https://www.weeklybrew.dev/ BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/weeklybrew.devInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeklydevsbrew/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeklybrew.devYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theweeklydevsbrewLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/the-weekly-dev-s-brew

In this episode of The Weekly Dev's Brew, Jan sits down with Michael Arnaldi, founder of Effect TS, to tackle a controversial truth: JavaScript's async model is fundamentally broken. From promises that lie about their errors to the nightmare of production-grade error handling, we delve into why traditional JavaScript tools in the realm of web development set us up for failure. Discover how Effect TS, built on TypeScript principles, offers a radically different approach for developers seeking to strengthen their web development skills. Whether you're drowning in try-catch blocks, struggling with graceful shutdowns, or wondering how to build truly reliable systems in JavaScript, this episode delivers hard truths and practical solutions tailored for developers using JavaScript and TypeScript. ☕ Grab your brew and learn why some of the biggest companies are betting their backends on a TypeScript-first future.Our Fantastic Guest Michael Arnaldi (Author of Effect)X formerly Twitter Links and Resources Effect TS Website  Effectful Technologies  "Simple Made Easy" by Rich HickeyJohn De Goes Effect TalkThank you very much for listening! We are also pretty much on all social media platforms, so make sure to like and subscribe!Homepage - https://www.weeklybrew.dev/ BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/weeklybrew.devInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeklydevsbrew/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeklybrew.devYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theweeklydevsbrewLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/the-weekly-dev-s-brew

In this episode of The Weekly Dev’s Brew, Jan sits down with Daniel Roe to dive deep into a topic devs often overlook: web fonts. From performance pitfalls to implementation strategies, Daniel breaks down why your font choices might be slowing down your site—and what you can do about it. Whether you’ve been blindly copy-pasting Google Fonts or wondering how to ship faster, cleaner web experiences, this episode delivers practical insights with zero fluff.☕ Pull up a brew and learn how to stop letting fonts wreck your performance budget.Our Fantastic GuestDanie RoeDaniel leads the Nuxt core team. Previously, he was CTO of a SaaS startup and founder of a creative agency focusing on clarity of vision and message.His open-source work has a focus in the Vue.js and Nuxt ecosystems. He's a keynote speaker at conferences and involved in consultancy with companies around the world, particularly around JAMstack, serverless and software architecture.Bluesky GitHub LinkedIn Chapters00:00 - Into00:36 - performance impact of fonts03:03 - Font Optimization04:37 - What is font subsetting?06:54 - How to handle font licenses?11:05 - How to prevent layout shifts?17:07 - How to learn about fonts?20:01 - What are Variable Fonts?22:55 - Accessibility of Fonts26:38 - System vs Custom Fonts30:46 - About Font Providers33:15 - How to know which font is applied?35:48 - Local vs remote fonts36:41 - Dynamical changing fonts?38:17 - Fonts and i18n40:45 - On Ligatures42:36 - OutroLinks and ResourcesStoyan's BlogProduction support for this video was kindly provided by WebStorm. Thanks for helping bring this idea to life!Thank you very much for listening! We are also pretty much on all social media platforms, so make sure to like and subscribe!Homepage - https://www.weeklybrew.dev/ BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/weeklybrew.devInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/weeklydevsbrew/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weeklybrew.devYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theweeklydevsbrewLinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/the-weekly-dev-s-brew