Brian Gershon
@brianfive.xyz
Building and experimenting across the stack.
briangershon.com
briangershon.com
When AI summarizes customer reviews, it often invents names and numbers that look real but aren’t.
We saw this in weekly reports across Google, DoorDash, Yelp. Strong insights, wrong facts.
Fix: teach AI to verify its own work, not just summarize data.
www.briangershon.com/blog/feedbac...
We saw this in weekly reports across Google, DoorDash, Yelp. Strong insights, wrong facts.
Fix: teach AI to verify its own work, not just summarize data.
www.briangershon.com/blog/feedbac...
How to Correct AI Errors When Analyzing Customer Reviews | Brian Gershon
When AI generates customer review summaries and trends, it hallucinates numbers and names. Learn how verification tools and feedback loops catch these errors automatically and teach AI to correct its ...
www.briangershon.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:03 PM
When AI summarizes customer reviews, it often invents names and numbers that look real but aren’t.
We saw this in weekly reports across Google, DoorDash, Yelp. Strong insights, wrong facts.
Fix: teach AI to verify its own work, not just summarize data.
www.briangershon.com/blog/feedbac...
We saw this in weekly reports across Google, DoorDash, Yelp. Strong insights, wrong facts.
Fix: teach AI to verify its own work, not just summarize data.
www.briangershon.com/blog/feedbac...
As teams adopt AI coding tools, they face familiar challenges: maintaining code quality and consistency with team standards. The same principles that help developers write better code can also guide AI tools.
Read more at: www.briangershon.com/blog/check-c...
#AI #DevTools
Read more at: www.briangershon.com/blog/check-c...
#AI #DevTools
Check Commands: Teaching AI to Catch and Correct Team Code | Brian Gershon
When teams use AI tools to generate code, consistency becomes critical. Learn how the check command lets AI tools discover and fix their own errors, and how AGENTS.md teaches your AI tools to generate...
www.briangershon.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:24 PM
As teams adopt AI coding tools, they face familiar challenges: maintaining code quality and consistency with team standards. The same principles that help developers write better code can also guide AI tools.
Read more at: www.briangershon.com/blog/check-c...
#AI #DevTools
Read more at: www.briangershon.com/blog/check-c...
#AI #DevTools
Reposted by Brian Gershon
Billions of requests across MCP servers deployed on Vercel, including Zapier, Solana, and our own.
A key insight: wrapping your API in an MCP server isn't enough.
Here's what's working best so far:
vercel.com/blog/the-se...
A key insight: wrapping your API in an MCP server isn't enough.
Here's what's working best so far:
vercel.com/blog/the-se...
The second wave of MCP: Building for LLMs, not developers - Vercel
The second wave of MCP, building for LLMs, not developers. Explore the evolution of MCP as it shifts from developer-focused tools to LLM-native integrations. Discover the future of AI connectivity.
vercel.com
September 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Billions of requests across MCP servers deployed on Vercel, including Zapier, Solana, and our own.
A key insight: wrapping your API in an MCP server isn't enough.
Here's what's working best so far:
vercel.com/blog/the-se...
A key insight: wrapping your API in an MCP server isn't enough.
Here's what's working best so far:
vercel.com/blog/the-se...
I met Mikeal at the first NodeConf, which he helped organize. He’s the earliest and most vibrant memory I have of the excitement and community he helped form during the early days of Node.js, and as a strong voice in the JavaScript ecosystem. Rest in peace Mikeal.
We’re heartbroken by the loss of Mikeal Rogers, a key figure in the Node.js ecosystem and a force behind what makes this community what it is. To help preserve his legacy, we’ve opened a GitHub repo for stories, photos, and memories: github.com/nodejs/mikeal
💚 Thank you, Mikeal. hubs.la/Q03t0DVL0
💚 Thank you, Mikeal. hubs.la/Q03t0DVL0
GitHub - nodejs/mikeal: In light of the the contributions that Mikeal made to Node.js and the larger ecosystem and his recent passing this repository will provide a place for people to contribute thei...
In light of the the contributions that Mikeal made to Node.js and the larger ecosystem and his recent passing this repository will provide a place for people to contribute their condolences and mem...
hubs.la
June 22, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I met Mikeal at the first NodeConf, which he helped organize. He’s the earliest and most vibrant memory I have of the excitement and community he helped form during the early days of Node.js, and as a strong voice in the JavaScript ecosystem. Rest in peace Mikeal.
I jumped full-time on the JavaScript train 2008, as Node.js was just starting up as well. Fun to run through this timeline and remember the birth of npm, Backbone (and spine.js), Atom Shell (Electron), React, Gulp, ...
deno.com/blog/history...
deno.com/blog/history...
A brief history of JavaScript | Deno
In 30 years, JavaScript went from being a little scripting language to one of the world's most popular. Here are key moments to show how it has evolved and where it is headed.
deno.com
June 1, 2025 at 7:25 PM
I jumped full-time on the JavaScript train 2008, as Node.js was just starting up as well. Fun to run through this timeline and remember the birth of npm, Backbone (and spine.js), Atom Shell (Electron), React, Gulp, ...
deno.com/blog/history...
deno.com/blog/history...
A handy tool for discovering and cleaning up code debt in your TypeScript projects:
`npx ts-unused-exports tsconfig.json`
`npx ts-unused-exports tsconfig.json`
May 30, 2025 at 3:42 PM
A handy tool for discovering and cleaning up code debt in your TypeScript projects:
`npx ts-unused-exports tsconfig.json`
`npx ts-unused-exports tsconfig.json`
Reposted by Brian Gershon
How do you gracefully sunset an open source project? 🌇
Get valuable do's & don'ts from three experienced maintainers and set up a smooth transition for your community. 👇
Get valuable do's & don'ts from three experienced maintainers and set up a smooth transition for your community. 👇
Dos and don’ts when sunsetting open source projects
Three maintainers share their tips for gracefully sunsetting open source projects.
github.blog
May 24, 2025 at 2:22 AM
How do you gracefully sunset an open source project? 🌇
Get valuable do's & don'ts from three experienced maintainers and set up a smooth transition for your community. 👇
Get valuable do's & don'ts from three experienced maintainers and set up a smooth transition for your community. 👇
If you are trying to use OpenAI Files API in Node.js and running into duplex and other errors uploading files:
You will fall down a lot of rabbit holes on the internet and with LLMs.
Instead, `npm add undici` to update Node to the latest version of `fetch`.
philna.sh/blog/2025/01...
You will fall down a lot of rabbit holes on the internet and with LLMs.
Instead, `npm add undici` to update Node to the latest version of `fetch`.
philna.sh/blog/2025/01...
Troubles with multipart form data and fetch in Node.js
This is one of those cathartic blog posts. One in which I spent several frustrating hours trying to debug something that really should have just worked. Once...
philna.sh
May 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
If you are trying to use OpenAI Files API in Node.js and running into duplex and other errors uploading files:
You will fall down a lot of rabbit holes on the internet and with LLMs.
Instead, `npm add undici` to update Node to the latest version of `fetch`.
philna.sh/blog/2025/01...
You will fall down a lot of rabbit holes on the internet and with LLMs.
Instead, `npm add undici` to update Node to the latest version of `fetch`.
philna.sh/blog/2025/01...
Reposted by Brian Gershon
What are the risks and hidden costs of modern social networks and platforms? medium.com/@sergeyshand... #social-network #digital-rights #dweb #web3 #fediverse
Digital Space. How it should be Done
We live in the digital epoch, but we keep our data on centralized services, with vendor lock-ins and constant policy changes, where your…
medium.com
January 31, 2025 at 12:44 AM
What are the risks and hidden costs of modern social networks and platforms? medium.com/@sergeyshand... #social-network #digital-rights #dweb #web3 #fediverse
Reposted by Brian Gershon
Bluesky / #atproto hack:
Filter posts about a rarely used topic (e.g. a small city you live in or any other *very* specific keyword) with Firesky like this:
firesky.tv?filter=speci...
Then click on the "(rss)" link, put this into your RSS reader.
Now you will get updates for this topic there.
Filter posts about a rarely used topic (e.g. a small city you live in or any other *very* specific keyword) with Firesky like this:
firesky.tv?filter=speci...
Then click on the "(rss)" link, put this into your RSS reader.
Now you will get updates for this topic there.
May 15, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Bluesky / #atproto hack:
Filter posts about a rarely used topic (e.g. a small city you live in or any other *very* specific keyword) with Firesky like this:
firesky.tv?filter=speci...
Then click on the "(rss)" link, put this into your RSS reader.
Now you will get updates for this topic there.
Filter posts about a rarely used topic (e.g. a small city you live in or any other *very* specific keyword) with Firesky like this:
firesky.tv?filter=speci...
Then click on the "(rss)" link, put this into your RSS reader.
Now you will get updates for this topic there.
Reposted by Brian Gershon
Here's the full workshop handout plus annotated slides from "Building software on top of Large Language Models", a three hour tutorial I presented yesterday at PyCon US #PyConUS simonwillison.net/2025/May/15/...
Building software on top of Large Language Models
I presented a three hour workshop at PyCon US yesterday titled Building software on top of Large Language Models. The goal of the workshop was to give participants everything they …
simonwillison.net
May 15, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Here's the full workshop handout plus annotated slides from "Building software on top of Large Language Models", a three hour tutorial I presented yesterday at PyCon US #PyConUS simonwillison.net/2025/May/15/...
Reposted by Brian Gershon
Congrats to @ngerakines.me for a new version of @smokesignal.events.
This is a very major rewrite, and also open sourcing of the whole codebase - with more features yet to come!
Events connect people - the exact kind of thing that should be available on an open protocol.
This is a very major rewrite, and also open sourcing of the whole codebase - with more features yet to come!
Events connect people - the exact kind of thing that should be available on an open protocol.
I'm so excited for this to go out. Over the past several months, the Smoke Signal app has been rewritten and refactored to support some big (currently in-development) features and have plenty of room to grow.
The Smoke Signal Preview site is live!
May 13, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Congrats to @ngerakines.me for a new version of @smokesignal.events.
This is a very major rewrite, and also open sourcing of the whole codebase - with more features yet to come!
Events connect people - the exact kind of thing that should be available on an open protocol.
This is a very major rewrite, and also open sourcing of the whole codebase - with more features yet to come!
Events connect people - the exact kind of thing that should be available on an open protocol.
Reposted by Brian Gershon
this might finally get me to publish sh.tangled.*
I wrote a blog post on how to publish ATProto Lexicons, I found the specification to not be clear enough, and not written from the perspective of a tutorial.
So, I decided to write about it. Hopefully this will help anyone who has not yet published their Lexicons yet
nickthesick.com/blog/Publish...
So, I decided to write about it. Hopefully this will help anyone who has not yet published their Lexicons yet
nickthesick.com/blog/Publish...
Publishing ATProto Lexicons - Nick the Sick's blog. Writings, projects and ideas.
Publishing ATProto Lexicons Created: 2025_05_07 07:53 Tags: ATProto ATProto has recently updated their specs to include a way to publish Lexicons in a similar way to their handle resolution. This is …
nickthesick.com
May 7, 2025 at 10:57 AM
this might finally get me to publish sh.tangled.*
A handy site for looking up the latest LLM models.
(though I didn't see the OpenAI o3 family in there)
modelname.ai
(though I didn't see the OpenAI o3 family in there)
modelname.ai
modelname.ai - AI Model Names Directory
Find and copy AI model names instantly. Search OpenAI, Gemini, Claude & Grok models without digging through documentation.
modelname.ai
May 5, 2025 at 8:24 PM
A handy site for looking up the latest LLM models.
(though I didn't see the OpenAI o3 family in there)
modelname.ai
(though I didn't see the OpenAI o3 family in there)
modelname.ai
Reposted by Brian Gershon
Businesses intentionally allocate budget (includes both human beings and direct spend) on specific projects / initiatives / requirements / oppys / problems / etc..
They 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 spend on whatever they've decided are the top few priorities.
(1/5)
They 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 spend on whatever they've decided are the top few priorities.
(1/5)
Product Purgatory: When they love it but still don’t buy
When even “free” is too expensive.
longform.asmartbear.com
May 5, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Businesses intentionally allocate budget (includes both human beings and direct spend) on specific projects / initiatives / requirements / oppys / problems / etc..
They 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 spend on whatever they've decided are the top few priorities.
(1/5)
They 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 spend on whatever they've decided are the top few priorities.
(1/5)
Reposted by Brian Gershon
This week's Bluesky and ATProto news - ATmosphere Report #114
- First EU atproto conf with @ahoy.eu
- Verification on Bluesky with checkmarks
- @stream.place gets 500k in funding
- A 50k grant from @freeourfeeds.com for developing IndieSky with dev community
fediversereport.com/atmosphere-r...
- First EU atproto conf with @ahoy.eu
- Verification on Bluesky with checkmarks
- @stream.place gets 500k in funding
- A 50k grant from @freeourfeeds.com for developing IndieSky with dev community
fediversereport.com/atmosphere-r...
ATmosphere Report – #114
Bluesky launches a checkmark verification system, streaming software Streamplace gets 500k USD in funding, and much more!
fediversereport.com
May 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM
This week's Bluesky and ATProto news - ATmosphere Report #114
- First EU atproto conf with @ahoy.eu
- Verification on Bluesky with checkmarks
- @stream.place gets 500k in funding
- A 50k grant from @freeourfeeds.com for developing IndieSky with dev community
fediversereport.com/atmosphere-r...
- First EU atproto conf with @ahoy.eu
- Verification on Bluesky with checkmarks
- @stream.place gets 500k in funding
- A 50k grant from @freeourfeeds.com for developing IndieSky with dev community
fediversereport.com/atmosphere-r...
Nice write-up!
“While chat is powerful, for most products chatting with the underlying LLM should be more of a debug interface – a fallback mode – and not the primary UX.
So, how is AI making our software more useful, if not via chat? Let’s do a tour.”
“While chat is powerful, for most products chatting with the underlying LLM should be more of a debug interface – a fallback mode – and not the primary UX.
So, how is AI making our software more useful, if not via chat? Let’s do a tour.”
Post-Chat UI: Delightful and humane patterns for the next generation of apps. allenpike.com/2025/post-ch...
Post-Chat UI
How LLMs are making traditional apps feel broken.
allenpike.com
May 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Nice write-up!
“While chat is powerful, for most products chatting with the underlying LLM should be more of a debug interface – a fallback mode – and not the primary UX.
So, how is AI making our software more useful, if not via chat? Let’s do a tour.”
“While chat is powerful, for most products chatting with the underlying LLM should be more of a debug interface – a fallback mode – and not the primary UX.
So, how is AI making our software more useful, if not via chat? Let’s do a tour.”
Reposted by Brian Gershon
I'm thrilled about where OctoGuide is going to go. It does the work of several actions used in create-typescript-app for a while. Plus it's got centralized+friendly docs, a robust platform for rules, and a great URL (lol).
Please try OctoGuide out and let me know how it feels! 💚
octo.guide
8/8
Please try OctoGuide out and let me know how it feels! 💚
octo.guide
8/8
April 28, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I'm thrilled about where OctoGuide is going to go. It does the work of several actions used in create-typescript-app for a while. Plus it's got centralized+friendly docs, a robust platform for rules, and a great URL (lol).
Please try OctoGuide out and let me know how it feels! 💚
octo.guide
8/8
Please try OctoGuide out and let me know how it feels! 💚
octo.guide
8/8
Reposted by Brian Gershon
This post from @rudyfraser.com, founder of @blacksky.app, is bursting with ideas for how communities can tailor federated social platforms to their needs and further unleash the prosocial potential embedded within the AT Protocol and Bluesky.
An internet of many autonomous communities
Making communities a true part of the protocol will encourage others to build things for those communities, start new communities, and hopefully foster models for self-sustainability.
blog.rudyfraser.com
April 23, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This post from @rudyfraser.com, founder of @blacksky.app, is bursting with ideas for how communities can tailor federated social platforms to their needs and further unleash the prosocial potential embedded within the AT Protocol and Bluesky.
Reposted by Brian Gershon
The fourth in the series on "Developing with ADHD", I talk about Discovery Trees and how helpful they are in visually tracking my work.
Discovery Trees: Visible Tasks Tracking for ADHD developers: softwareascraft.com/adhd/discove...
Discovery Trees: Visible Tasks Tracking for ADHD developers: softwareascraft.com/adhd/discove...
Discovery Trees: Visible Tasks Tracking for ADHD developers
How Test-Driven Development helps with cognitive overload, decision paralysis, and debugging distractions.
softwareascraft.com
April 21, 2025 at 9:43 PM
The fourth in the series on "Developing with ADHD", I talk about Discovery Trees and how helpful they are in visually tracking my work.
Discovery Trees: Visible Tasks Tracking for ADHD developers: softwareascraft.com/adhd/discove...
Discovery Trees: Visible Tasks Tracking for ADHD developers: softwareascraft.com/adhd/discove...
Reposted by Brian Gershon
I invented a new phone to help save time in the morning
April 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I invented a new phone to help save time in the morning
Reposted by Brian Gershon
My painting COASTAL POPPIES
April 18, 2025 at 1:44 PM
My painting COASTAL POPPIES
If you ask your LLM to write tests for existing code, and it happens to mock EVERYTHING, you will want to be more specific. 😎
Make sure tests:
- do actually fail, say if the implementation was missing
- are easily understandable to avoid bugs
- use no mocks, or use mocks sparingly
Make sure tests:
- do actually fail, say if the implementation was missing
- are easily understandable to avoid bugs
- use no mocks, or use mocks sparingly
April 18, 2025 at 11:53 PM
If you ask your LLM to write tests for existing code, and it happens to mock EVERYTHING, you will want to be more specific. 😎
Make sure tests:
- do actually fail, say if the implementation was missing
- are easily understandable to avoid bugs
- use no mocks, or use mocks sparingly
Make sure tests:
- do actually fail, say if the implementation was missing
- are easily understandable to avoid bugs
- use no mocks, or use mocks sparingly