Juan Cruz Martinez
@jcmartinez.dev
I stream, blog, and make youtube videos about tech stuff. I love coding, I love React, and I love building stuff!
Treat AI like a Junior Pair: fast, tireless, and occasionally hallucinating.
Without guardrails, AI doesn't create value; it creates high-velocity tech debt.
Your safety systems:
* Tests written first
* Atomic changes
* Design notes
* Code review
AI suggests. You own. Never confuse the two.
Without guardrails, AI doesn't create value; it creates high-velocity tech debt.
Your safety systems:
* Tests written first
* Atomic changes
* Design notes
* Code review
AI suggests. You own. Never confuse the two.
December 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Treat AI like a Junior Pair: fast, tireless, and occasionally hallucinating.
Without guardrails, AI doesn't create value; it creates high-velocity tech debt.
Your safety systems:
* Tests written first
* Atomic changes
* Design notes
* Code review
AI suggests. You own. Never confuse the two.
Without guardrails, AI doesn't create value; it creates high-velocity tech debt.
Your safety systems:
* Tests written first
* Atomic changes
* Design notes
* Code review
AI suggests. You own. Never confuse the two.
If you want to level up, stop just closing tickets.
❌ The Old Way: Focus on volume.
✅ The New Way:
* Own outcomes, not just tasks.
* Write docs as carefully as code.
* Demand hard feedback quarterly.
* Mentor someone 1 step behind you.
Don't just work more. Work differently.
❌ The Old Way: Focus on volume.
✅ The New Way:
* Own outcomes, not just tasks.
* Write docs as carefully as code.
* Demand hard feedback quarterly.
* Mentor someone 1 step behind you.
Don't just work more. Work differently.
December 23, 2025 at 7:12 PM
If you want to level up, stop just closing tickets.
❌ The Old Way: Focus on volume.
✅ The New Way:
* Own outcomes, not just tasks.
* Write docs as carefully as code.
* Demand hard feedback quarterly.
* Mentor someone 1 step behind you.
Don't just work more. Work differently.
❌ The Old Way: Focus on volume.
✅ The New Way:
* Own outcomes, not just tasks.
* Write docs as carefully as code.
* Demand hard feedback quarterly.
* Mentor someone 1 step behind you.
Don't just work more. Work differently.
AI helps you run faster. Systems tell you where to run.
Without prioritization frameworks, decision logs, or a clear Definition of Done, AI isn't an accelerator, it’s just a distraction engine.
Don't use AI to mask a broken process. Fix the system, then hit the turbo button.
Without prioritization frameworks, decision logs, or a clear Definition of Done, AI isn't an accelerator, it’s just a distraction engine.
Don't use AI to mask a broken process. Fix the system, then hit the turbo button.
December 22, 2025 at 1:42 PM
AI helps you run faster. Systems tell you where to run.
Without prioritization frameworks, decision logs, or a clear Definition of Done, AI isn't an accelerator, it’s just a distraction engine.
Don't use AI to mask a broken process. Fix the system, then hit the turbo button.
Without prioritization frameworks, decision logs, or a clear Definition of Done, AI isn't an accelerator, it’s just a distraction engine.
Don't use AI to mask a broken process. Fix the system, then hit the turbo button.
Want to grow as an SE?
Stop optimizing only your code. Start optimizing the machine that builds the code.
• Decisions: Move from endless debates to clear frameworks.
• Flow: Move from meetings to RFCs and async updates.
• People: Move from "fixing it for them" to unblocking them.
Impact > Hours.
Stop optimizing only your code. Start optimizing the machine that builds the code.
• Decisions: Move from endless debates to clear frameworks.
• Flow: Move from meetings to RFCs and async updates.
• People: Move from "fixing it for them" to unblocking them.
Impact > Hours.
December 18, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Want to grow as an SE?
Stop optimizing only your code. Start optimizing the machine that builds the code.
• Decisions: Move from endless debates to clear frameworks.
• Flow: Move from meetings to RFCs and async updates.
• People: Move from "fixing it for them" to unblocking them.
Impact > Hours.
Stop optimizing only your code. Start optimizing the machine that builds the code.
• Decisions: Move from endless debates to clear frameworks.
• Flow: Move from meetings to RFCs and async updates.
• People: Move from "fixing it for them" to unblocking them.
Impact > Hours.
For devs, the most underrated productivity system is boring: sleep, movement, deep work blocks, and uninterrupted evenings. Fancy tools help, but they can’t compensate for a fried brain and constant context switching. Protect 2–3 hours of real focus a day and one real day off a week.
December 17, 2025 at 8:07 PM
For devs, the most underrated productivity system is boring: sleep, movement, deep work blocks, and uninterrupted evenings. Fancy tools help, but they can’t compensate for a fried brain and constant context switching. Protect 2–3 hours of real focus a day and one real day off a week.
“Hustle” culture quietly taught developers that loving your craft means always being available: nights, weekends, side projects, open source. That’s how many of us ended up burned out and resentful. A healthier frame: you’re a better engineer when your life is bigger than your job.
December 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
“Hustle” culture quietly taught developers that loving your craft means always being available: nights, weekends, side projects, open source. That’s how many of us ended up burned out and resentful. A healthier frame: you’re a better engineer when your life is bigger than your job.
Burnout for developers isn’t about working hard, it’s about working endlessly with no recovery. In 2025, stress is quietly killing code quality, creativity, and motivation. The fix isn’t more hacks, it’s sustainable habits: sleep, boundaries, focus blocks, saying no.
December 15, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Burnout for developers isn’t about working hard, it’s about working endlessly with no recovery. In 2025, stress is quietly killing code quality, creativity, and motivation. The fix isn’t more hacks, it’s sustainable habits: sleep, boundaries, focus blocks, saying no.
If you’re a developer, productivity is not how many hours you sit at your desk, it’s how often you can do high-quality, focused work without burning out. Happy, well-rested devs ship better systems, make fewer mistakes, and stay longer. That’s not soft talk, it’s business impact.
December 12, 2025 at 2:42 PM
If you’re a developer, productivity is not how many hours you sit at your desk, it’s how often you can do high-quality, focused work without burning out. Happy, well-rested devs ship better systems, make fewer mistakes, and stay longer. That’s not soft talk, it’s business impact.
Signs you’re heading toward developer burnout: you dread simple tickets, tiny bugs feel huge, you keep working late but ship less, and hobbies disappear. I’ve been there. The turning point wasn’t a new tool, it was permission to slow down and reset. You don’t have to earn rest with exhaustion.
December 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Signs you’re heading toward developer burnout: you dread simple tickets, tiny bugs feel huge, you keep working late but ship less, and hobbies disappear. I’ve been there. The turning point wasn’t a new tool, it was permission to slow down and reset. You don’t have to earn rest with exhaustion.
🚀 Want to let your users sign in with their Vercel account? I just published a quick guide showing exactly how to add Sign in with Vercel to Auth0. Super simple and smooth for onboarding.
Read it here: auth0.com/blog/add-si...
Read it here: auth0.com/blog/add-si...
How to Add Sign in with Vercel to Auth0
Learn how to integrate "Sign in with Vercel" into your Auth0 applications, letting people use their Vercel Identity to log in to third-party apps.
auth0.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:22 PM
🚀 Want to let your users sign in with their Vercel account? I just published a quick guide showing exactly how to add Sign in with Vercel to Auth0. Super simple and smooth for onboarding.
Read it here: auth0.com/blog/add-si...
Read it here: auth0.com/blog/add-si...
My kindle is officially dead!
I love my kindle, I think it's the oldest device I own, being almost 10 years old now, the plastic was already sticky, probably not that healthy to touch, but it was still working amazingly!
But this weekend took a fall, and now it's gone!
Good bye old friend!
I love my kindle, I think it's the oldest device I own, being almost 10 years old now, the plastic was already sticky, probably not that healthy to touch, but it was still working amazingly!
But this weekend took a fall, and now it's gone!
Good bye old friend!
November 11, 2025 at 9:03 PM
My kindle is officially dead!
I love my kindle, I think it's the oldest device I own, being almost 10 years old now, the plastic was already sticky, probably not that healthy to touch, but it was still working amazingly!
But this weekend took a fall, and now it's gone!
Good bye old friend!
I love my kindle, I think it's the oldest device I own, being almost 10 years old now, the plastic was already sticky, probably not that healthy to touch, but it was still working amazingly!
But this weekend took a fall, and now it's gone!
Good bye old friend!
Let’s be honest:
AI is flooding the internet with content.
Every search, every feed, every community is starting to feel… the same.
Recycled insights. Rewritten posts. Infinite noise.
As a developer I feel it, but again, sometimes I'm part of the problem too.
AI is flooding the internet with content.
Every search, every feed, every community is starting to feel… the same.
Recycled insights. Rewritten posts. Infinite noise.
As a developer I feel it, but again, sometimes I'm part of the problem too.
November 11, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Let’s be honest:
AI is flooding the internet with content.
Every search, every feed, every community is starting to feel… the same.
Recycled insights. Rewritten posts. Infinite noise.
As a developer I feel it, but again, sometimes I'm part of the problem too.
AI is flooding the internet with content.
Every search, every feed, every community is starting to feel… the same.
Recycled insights. Rewritten posts. Infinite noise.
As a developer I feel it, but again, sometimes I'm part of the problem too.
I know I'm late to the game, but... what in the world? since when PewDiePie is so legitimately "cool" and kicking ass in YT as a total nerd?
This guy is killing it!
It really shows the power of having a goal in mind, focus, and time to go all in on something!
This guy is killing it!
It really shows the power of having a goal in mind, focus, and time to go all in on something!
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I know I'm late to the game, but... what in the world? since when PewDiePie is so legitimately "cool" and kicking ass in YT as a total nerd?
This guy is killing it!
It really shows the power of having a goal in mind, focus, and time to go all in on something!
This guy is killing it!
It really shows the power of having a goal in mind, focus, and time to go all in on something!
Year-end reviews are around the corner — quick reminder:
If you’re using AI to write your feedback… just don’t.
Honestly, I’d rather get the prompt you gave the AI than the polished version.
That’s where your real judgment, examples, and intent live.
If you’re using AI to write your feedback… just don’t.
Honestly, I’d rather get the prompt you gave the AI than the polished version.
That’s where your real judgment, examples, and intent live.
October 21, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Year-end reviews are around the corner — quick reminder:
If you’re using AI to write your feedback… just don’t.
Honestly, I’d rather get the prompt you gave the AI than the polished version.
That’s where your real judgment, examples, and intent live.
If you’re using AI to write your feedback… just don’t.
Honestly, I’d rather get the prompt you gave the AI than the polished version.
That’s where your real judgment, examples, and intent live.
I learned this the hard way.
For years, I’d wake up, grab coffee, open my laptop… and spend 30 minutes deciding what to do.
By the time I started working, my brain was already tired from negotiating priorities.
Now I follow a simple loop:
For years, I’d wake up, grab coffee, open my laptop… and spend 30 minutes deciding what to do.
By the time I started working, my brain was already tired from negotiating priorities.
Now I follow a simple loop:
October 18, 2025 at 8:28 AM
I learned this the hard way.
For years, I’d wake up, grab coffee, open my laptop… and spend 30 minutes deciding what to do.
By the time I started working, my brain was already tired from negotiating priorities.
Now I follow a simple loop:
For years, I’d wake up, grab coffee, open my laptop… and spend 30 minutes deciding what to do.
By the time I started working, my brain was already tired from negotiating priorities.
Now I follow a simple loop:
One of the most powerful tools in your career isn’t a framework, a process, or an AI model. It’s perspective.
“Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” - Wayne W. Dyer
“Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” - Wayne W. Dyer
October 17, 2025 at 4:51 PM
One of the most powerful tools in your career isn’t a framework, a process, or an AI model. It’s perspective.
“Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” - Wayne W. Dyer
“Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” - Wayne W. Dyer
Over the years, I’ve highlighted hundreds of passages from books, articles, and newsletters. But they were scattered everywhere:
📚 Kindle highlights
📬 Email newsletter snippets
🧾 Random web clippings
👇🧵
📚 Kindle highlights
📬 Email newsletter snippets
🧾 Random web clippings
👇🧵
October 16, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Over the years, I’ve highlighted hundreds of passages from books, articles, and newsletters. But they were scattered everywhere:
📚 Kindle highlights
📬 Email newsletter snippets
🧾 Random web clippings
👇🧵
📚 Kindle highlights
📬 Email newsletter snippets
🧾 Random web clippings
👇🧵
Decisions aren’t permanent.
Very few are true trapdoors.
Try something new: a role, a path, a challenge.
You can always course-correct.
(Yes, even going from engineering → management → engineering.)
Very few are true trapdoors.
Try something new: a role, a path, a challenge.
You can always course-correct.
(Yes, even going from engineering → management → engineering.)
October 15, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Decisions aren’t permanent.
Very few are true trapdoors.
Try something new: a role, a path, a challenge.
You can always course-correct.
(Yes, even going from engineering → management → engineering.)
Very few are true trapdoors.
Try something new: a role, a path, a challenge.
You can always course-correct.
(Yes, even going from engineering → management → engineering.)
📝 Apple Notes just works for me
It’s not perfect.
It’s not the most advanced tool out there.
But it’s the one I keep coming back to.
I’ve tried all kinds of note-taking systems and fancy apps.
They’re powerful, but I end up spending more time organizing than thinking.
It’s not perfect.
It’s not the most advanced tool out there.
But it’s the one I keep coming back to.
I’ve tried all kinds of note-taking systems and fancy apps.
They’re powerful, but I end up spending more time organizing than thinking.
October 15, 2025 at 2:31 PM
📝 Apple Notes just works for me
It’s not perfect.
It’s not the most advanced tool out there.
But it’s the one I keep coming back to.
I’ve tried all kinds of note-taking systems and fancy apps.
They’re powerful, but I end up spending more time organizing than thinking.
It’s not perfect.
It’s not the most advanced tool out there.
But it’s the one I keep coming back to.
I’ve tried all kinds of note-taking systems and fancy apps.
They’re powerful, but I end up spending more time organizing than thinking.
I’ve been really lucky in my career.
Right place, right time, right people, more than once.
A lot of the best things that happened to me weren’t fully in my control.
I just tried to be ready when luck showed up.
Still grateful for all of it.
Right place, right time, right people, more than once.
A lot of the best things that happened to me weren’t fully in my control.
I just tried to be ready when luck showed up.
Still grateful for all of it.
October 14, 2025 at 7:58 PM
I’ve been really lucky in my career.
Right place, right time, right people, more than once.
A lot of the best things that happened to me weren’t fully in my control.
I just tried to be ready when luck showed up.
Still grateful for all of it.
Right place, right time, right people, more than once.
A lot of the best things that happened to me weren’t fully in my control.
I just tried to be ready when luck showed up.
Still grateful for all of it.
Most companies treat Developer Relations like marketing with code.
But real #DevRel sits at the intersection of people, product, and purpose.
Over the years, I’ve realized great DevRel programs stand on three pillars.
🧵👇
But real #DevRel sits at the intersection of people, product, and purpose.
Over the years, I’ve realized great DevRel programs stand on three pillars.
🧵👇
October 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Most companies treat Developer Relations like marketing with code.
But real #DevRel sits at the intersection of people, product, and purpose.
Over the years, I’ve realized great DevRel programs stand on three pillars.
🧵👇
But real #DevRel sits at the intersection of people, product, and purpose.
Over the years, I’ve realized great DevRel programs stand on three pillars.
🧵👇
People, not jobs, last forever.
You’ll change roles and companies many times. That’s normal.
But the relationships you build along the way will follow you your entire career.
Connect with people you truly value.
Great relationships compound just like skills do.
You’ll change roles and companies many times. That’s normal.
But the relationships you build along the way will follow you your entire career.
Connect with people you truly value.
Great relationships compound just like skills do.
October 13, 2025 at 8:26 AM
People, not jobs, last forever.
You’ll change roles and companies many times. That’s normal.
But the relationships you build along the way will follow you your entire career.
Connect with people you truly value.
Great relationships compound just like skills do.
You’ll change roles and companies many times. That’s normal.
But the relationships you build along the way will follow you your entire career.
Connect with people you truly value.
Great relationships compound just like skills do.
Don’t stay comfortable for too long.
Comfort feels good, but it quietly stalls growth.
Growth compounds, and every year you play it safe, you’re giving up future momentum.
Stretch. Learn. Move before you have to.
Comfort feels good, but it quietly stalls growth.
Growth compounds, and every year you play it safe, you’re giving up future momentum.
Stretch. Learn. Move before you have to.
October 10, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Don’t stay comfortable for too long.
Comfort feels good, but it quietly stalls growth.
Growth compounds, and every year you play it safe, you’re giving up future momentum.
Stretch. Learn. Move before you have to.
Comfort feels good, but it quietly stalls growth.
Growth compounds, and every year you play it safe, you’re giving up future momentum.
Stretch. Learn. Move before you have to.
💡 Sleep on it. Your content will thank you.
I used to think great content was all about flow: get the idea, write it fast, ship it.
But over the years (and hundreds of posts later), I’ve learned something different:
Your best content often shows up the day after you write it.
Here’s why 👇
I used to think great content was all about flow: get the idea, write it fast, ship it.
But over the years (and hundreds of posts later), I’ve learned something different:
Your best content often shows up the day after you write it.
Here’s why 👇
October 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
💡 Sleep on it. Your content will thank you.
I used to think great content was all about flow: get the idea, write it fast, ship it.
But over the years (and hundreds of posts later), I’ve learned something different:
Your best content often shows up the day after you write it.
Here’s why 👇
I used to think great content was all about flow: get the idea, write it fast, ship it.
But over the years (and hundreds of posts later), I’ve learned something different:
Your best content often shows up the day after you write it.
Here’s why 👇
f your impact disappears when you stop coding, you’re probably still at Senior.
If your systems keep helping others succeed when you’re away, you’re operating at Staff.
If your systems keep helping others succeed when you’re away, you’re operating at Staff.
October 9, 2025 at 8:31 AM
f your impact disappears when you stop coding, you’re probably still at Senior.
If your systems keep helping others succeed when you’re away, you’re operating at Staff.
If your systems keep helping others succeed when you’re away, you’re operating at Staff.