Robby Russell
@robbyonrails.com
CEO @PlanetArgon.com. Host @maintainable.fm. Creator of @ohmyz.sh. Guitarist @mightymissoula.com. Host of On Rails podcast.
https://robbyonrails.com/links/
https://robbyonrails.com/links/
Wait. Is it possible that I'm becoming too skilled at applying sunblock?
November 12, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Wait. Is it possible that I'm becoming too skilled at applying sunblock?
Problem: Long-sleeve weather.
November 7, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Problem: Long-sleeve weather.
Help us % git fetch origin --prune our inventory.
% git push origin style
Carlo wearing the Oh My Zsh ASCII Tee... because your shell deserves nice things.
🛍️ buff.ly/FrN5Nge
Carlo wearing the Oh My Zsh ASCII Tee... because your shell deserves nice things.
🛍️ buff.ly/FrN5Nge
November 6, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Help us % git fetch origin --prune our inventory.
What’s the most boring change in your codebase right now? The one that’s been quietly whispering "later"? That’s the one worth doing today.
Boring work compounds.
Let’s ship some boring and make room for the interesting stuff.
Boring work compounds.
Let’s ship some boring and make room for the interesting stuff.
November 5, 2025 at 2:57 PM
What’s the most boring change in your codebase right now? The one that’s been quietly whispering "later"? That’s the one worth doing today.
Boring work compounds.
Let’s ship some boring and make room for the interesting stuff.
Boring work compounds.
Let’s ship some boring and make room for the interesting stuff.
Nobody's CRM is perfect.
November 3, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Nobody's CRM is perfect.
You’re following On Rails, right?
Wait… not yet?
It’s one of the newer corners of the Rails community—where engineers share how they build, scale, and evolve real production apps.
The patterns that work. The lessons that hurt. The curiosity that keeps us improving.
Wait… not yet?
It’s one of the newer corners of the Rails community—where engineers share how they build, scale, and evolve real production apps.
The patterns that work. The lessons that hurt. The curiosity that keeps us improving.
On Rails
On Rails invites Rails developers to share real-world technical challenges and solutions, architectural decisions, and lessons learned while building with Rails. Through technical deep-dives and retro...
onrails.buzzsprout.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM
You’re following On Rails, right?
Wait… not yet?
It’s one of the newer corners of the Rails community—where engineers share how they build, scale, and evolve real production apps.
The patterns that work. The lessons that hurt. The curiosity that keeps us improving.
Wait… not yet?
It’s one of the newer corners of the Rails community—where engineers share how they build, scale, and evolve real production apps.
The patterns that work. The lessons that hurt. The curiosity that keeps us improving.
Reposted by Robby Russell
Moving The Balanced Engineer Newsletter to monthly for better balance!
Each month I'll share my favorite engineering resources. Subscribe at balancedengineer.com
After a very busy October, this issue features @simonwillison.net and @robbyonrails.com!
Each month I'll share my favorite engineering resources. Subscribe at balancedengineer.com
After a very busy October, this issue features @simonwillison.net and @robbyonrails.com!
The Balanced Engineer - Software Engineering Newsletter
The very best newsletter for generalist software engineers.
balancedengineer.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Moving The Balanced Engineer Newsletter to monthly for better balance!
Each month I'll share my favorite engineering resources. Subscribe at balancedengineer.com
After a very busy October, this issue features @simonwillison.net and @robbyonrails.com!
Each month I'll share my favorite engineering resources. Subscribe at balancedengineer.com
After a very busy October, this issue features @simonwillison.net and @robbyonrails.com!
🎃 My 2025 Halloween costume?
Ronald McDonald impersonator on his smoke break. No, he will not take a photo with you right now. Ask him in 10 minutes. He just needs to get through the next few fucking weekends so he can see his kids again.
Ronald McDonald impersonator on his smoke break. No, he will not take a photo with you right now. Ask him in 10 minutes. He just needs to get through the next few fucking weekends so he can see his kids again.
October 31, 2025 at 5:57 PM
🎃 My 2025 Halloween costume?
Ronald McDonald impersonator on his smoke break. No, he will not take a photo with you right now. Ask him in 10 minutes. He just needs to get through the next few fucking weekends so he can see his kids again.
Ronald McDonald impersonator on his smoke break. No, he will not take a photo with you right now. Ask him in 10 minutes. He just needs to get through the next few fucking weekends so he can see his kids again.
The @ohmyz.sh core team retreat tonight to see an NBA game. Swing by our @github.com Universe booth tomorrow for stickers and smiles.
October 29, 2025 at 5:05 AM
The @ohmyz.sh core team retreat tonight to see an NBA game. Swing by our @github.com Universe booth tomorrow for stickers and smiles.
The rush fades. The paint cracks. The work remains.
Every software team eventually hits that point
where Act I won’t carry them any further.
Time to evolve the story.
Every software team eventually hits that point
where Act I won’t carry them any further.
Time to evolve the story.
October 26, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The rush fades. The paint cracks. The work remains.
Every software team eventually hits that point
where Act I won’t carry them any further.
Time to evolve the story.
Every software team eventually hits that point
where Act I won’t carry them any further.
Time to evolve the story.
If you’re heading into 2026 planning season and someone’s asking if it’s time for a full rewrite… pause for a second.
Sometimes that urge to start over is really a sign that your team needs clarity, not a clean slate.
Your app already has history. Let’s make sure it has a future.
Sometimes that urge to start over is really a sign that your team needs clarity, not a clean slate.
Your app already has history. Let’s make sure it has a future.
Another year is wrapping up.
And somewhere, someone on your team is asking if it’s time to rewrite the app.
It’s a familiar question. The clean slate always sounds appealing.
But it also means starting over, relearning what you already know, and hoping it goes faster this time.
And somewhere, someone on your team is asking if it’s time to rewrite the app.
It’s a familiar question. The clean slate always sounds appealing.
But it also means starting over, relearning what you already know, and hoping it goes faster this time.
October 23, 2025 at 10:18 PM
If you’re heading into 2026 planning season and someone’s asking if it’s time for a full rewrite… pause for a second.
Sometimes that urge to start over is really a sign that your team needs clarity, not a clean slate.
Your app already has history. Let’s make sure it has a future.
Sometimes that urge to start over is really a sign that your team needs clarity, not a clean slate.
Your app already has history. Let’s make sure it has a future.
What If “Scaling Up” Isn’t the Goal in 2026?
If leadership hasn’t asked you this yet, beat them to it.
> “What if our team doesn’t grow next year? What if it shrinks?”
Take inventory.
If leadership hasn’t asked you this yet, beat them to it.
> “What if our team doesn’t grow next year? What if it shrinks?”
Take inventory.
October 23, 2025 at 12:29 AM
What If “Scaling Up” Isn’t the Goal in 2026?
If leadership hasn’t asked you this yet, beat them to it.
> “What if our team doesn’t grow next year? What if it shrinks?”
Take inventory.
If leadership hasn’t asked you this yet, beat them to it.
> “What if our team doesn’t grow next year? What if it shrinks?”
Take inventory.
🚩🚩 Red flags aren’t just for dating apps.
@fastruby.io's @etagwerker.bsky.social shares what they’ve learned spotting them in legacy Rails projects over on @planetargon.com blog.
blog.planetargon.com/blog/entries...
@fastruby.io's @etagwerker.bsky.social shares what they’ve learned spotting them in legacy Rails projects over on @planetargon.com blog.
blog.planetargon.com/blog/entries...
Red Flags That Signal Growing Technical Debt: What FastRuby Has Learned from Client Projects
Our friends at FastRuby share how to spot the quiet warning signs of growing technical debt and how to address it strategically instead of reactively.
blog.planetargon.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:21 PM
🚩🚩 Red flags aren’t just for dating apps.
@fastruby.io's @etagwerker.bsky.social shares what they’ve learned spotting them in legacy Rails projects over on @planetargon.com blog.
blog.planetargon.com/blog/entries...
@fastruby.io's @etagwerker.bsky.social shares what they’ve learned spotting them in legacy Rails projects over on @planetargon.com blog.
blog.planetargon.com/blog/entries...
Heading back to SF next month for sfruby.com.
@planetargon.com is sponsoring, and I’m hoping to meet teams giving their software a second act.
Thanks to @inazarova.bsky.social and the @evilmartians.com crew for the Cloud Card of me.
Tickets and details → sfruby.com
@planetargon.com is sponsoring, and I’m hoping to meet teams giving their software a second act.
Thanks to @inazarova.bsky.social and the @evilmartians.com crew for the Cloud Card of me.
Tickets and details → sfruby.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Heading back to SF next month for sfruby.com.
@planetargon.com is sponsoring, and I’m hoping to meet teams giving their software a second act.
Thanks to @inazarova.bsky.social and the @evilmartians.com crew for the Cloud Card of me.
Tickets and details → sfruby.com
@planetargon.com is sponsoring, and I’m hoping to meet teams giving their software a second act.
Thanks to @inazarova.bsky.social and the @evilmartians.com crew for the Cloud Card of me.
Tickets and details → sfruby.com
I recently got to host a book club.
Our first pick was a little-known collaboration between Tom Robbins and Kurt Vonnegut — The Elements of Consulting Style: A Survival Manual for the Technically Damned.
Turns out… it really holds up.
Our first pick was a little-known collaboration between Tom Robbins and Kurt Vonnegut — The Elements of Consulting Style: A Survival Manual for the Technically Damned.
Turns out… it really holds up.
October 22, 2025 at 1:07 AM
I recently got to host a book club.
Our first pick was a little-known collaboration between Tom Robbins and Kurt Vonnegut — The Elements of Consulting Style: A Survival Manual for the Technically Damned.
Turns out… it really holds up.
Our first pick was a little-known collaboration between Tom Robbins and Kurt Vonnegut — The Elements of Consulting Style: A Survival Manual for the Technically Damned.
Turns out… it really holds up.
Reposted by Robby Russell
The 5 Stages of Tech Debt, a 🧵
(Based on a true story)
(Based on a true story)
October 20, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The 5 Stages of Tech Debt, a 🧵
(Based on a true story)
(Based on a true story)
You probably know a system like this... still running, still relied on.
If it could use a second act, send them our way.
🕯️ robbyonrails.com/articles/202...
If it could use a second act, send them our way.
🕯️ robbyonrails.com/articles/202...
Who Keeps the Lights On? | Robby on Rails
Every so often, someone in the Ruby community will ask,
“So… what does Planet Argon actually do these days?”
Fair question.
robbyonrails.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:33 PM
You probably know a system like this... still running, still relied on.
If it could use a second act, send them our way.
🕯️ robbyonrails.com/articles/202...
If it could use a second act, send them our way.
🕯️ robbyonrails.com/articles/202...
Got an opportunity to talk shop with Alex Stathis from AngelList about how they leverage Ruby on Rails in their systems behind the scenes.
Queue it up in your favorite podcasting app.
onrails.buzzsprout.com/2462975/epis...
Queue it up in your favorite podcasting app.
onrails.buzzsprout.com/2462975/epis...
Alexander Stathis: Scaling a Modular Rails Monolith at AngelList - On Rails
In this episode of On Rails, Robby is joined by Alexander Stathis, a Principal Software Engineer at AngelList, where Rails powers complex investment, accounting, and banking business logic across a mo...
onrails.buzzsprout.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Got an opportunity to talk shop with Alex Stathis from AngelList about how they leverage Ruby on Rails in their systems behind the scenes.
Queue it up in your favorite podcasting app.
onrails.buzzsprout.com/2462975/epis...
Queue it up in your favorite podcasting app.
onrails.buzzsprout.com/2462975/epis...
We’ve been going deeper with the On Rails podcast. Longer conversations. Less hype. More of what’s been tested in the real world.
I loved hearing in-person feedback back at Rails World. Podcasting can feel one-directional, so your messages, reviews, and shares really do help keep it going.
I loved hearing in-person feedback back at Rails World. Podcasting can feel one-directional, so your messages, reviews, and shares really do help keep it going.
October 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
We’ve been going deeper with the On Rails podcast. Longer conversations. Less hype. More of what’s been tested in the real world.
I loved hearing in-person feedback back at Rails World. Podcasting can feel one-directional, so your messages, reviews, and shares really do help keep it going.
I loved hearing in-person feedback back at Rails World. Podcasting can feel one-directional, so your messages, reviews, and shares really do help keep it going.
Good news for the Ruby ecosystem.
RubyGems now has the same governance as Ruby itself. Matz and Ruby Core as stewards.
If Ruby Core has authority over where gems (by default) install from, this alignment makes sense.
Viva la Ruby!
www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2025...
RubyGems now has the same governance as Ruby itself. Matz and Ruby Core as stewards.
If Ruby Core has authority over where gems (by default) install from, this alignment makes sense.
Viva la Ruby!
www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2025...
The Transition of RubyGems Repository Ownership
www.ruby-lang.org
October 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Good news for the Ruby ecosystem.
RubyGems now has the same governance as Ruby itself. Matz and Ruby Core as stewards.
If Ruby Core has authority over where gems (by default) install from, this alignment makes sense.
Viva la Ruby!
www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2025...
RubyGems now has the same governance as Ruby itself. Matz and Ruby Core as stewards.
If Ruby Core has authority over where gems (by default) install from, this alignment makes sense.
Viva la Ruby!
www.ruby-lang.org/en/news/2025...
Most of our work starts where others end.
When the freelancer moves on, the agency drifts away, or the last engineer retires…
I wrote about the quiet work that keeps systems running.
👉🏻 www.linkedin.com/pulse/who-ke...
When the freelancer moves on, the agency drifts away, or the last engineer retires…
I wrote about the quiet work that keeps systems running.
👉🏻 www.linkedin.com/pulse/who-ke...
Who Keeps the Lights On?
Every so often, someone in the Ruby community will ask, “So… what does Planet Argon actually do these days?” Fair question. We’re not a startup factory.
www.linkedin.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Most of our work starts where others end.
When the freelancer moves on, the agency drifts away, or the last engineer retires…
I wrote about the quiet work that keeps systems running.
👉🏻 www.linkedin.com/pulse/who-ke...
When the freelancer moves on, the agency drifts away, or the last engineer retires…
I wrote about the quiet work that keeps systems running.
👉🏻 www.linkedin.com/pulse/who-ke...
Reposted by Robby Russell
🔊 Catch up with @Robbyonrails.com as @realntl.bsky.social explains why monoculture can move fast but consensus sustains long-term progress.
🗳️ They discuss how, when original developers leave, new teams must take ownership of architectural decisions.
🎧 Listen here: maintainable.fm/episodes/nat...
🗳️ They discuss how, when original developers leave, new teams must take ownership of architectural decisions.
🎧 Listen here: maintainable.fm/episodes/nat...
October 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
🔊 Catch up with @Robbyonrails.com as @realntl.bsky.social explains why monoculture can move fast but consensus sustains long-term progress.
🗳️ They discuss how, when original developers leave, new teams must take ownership of architectural decisions.
🎧 Listen here: maintainable.fm/episodes/nat...
🗳️ They discuss how, when original developers leave, new teams must take ownership of architectural decisions.
🎧 Listen here: maintainable.fm/episodes/nat...
Everyone’s talking about AI writing new code.
I'm more interested in the humans giving existing code its second act.
If that resonates, check out my free course for Rails developers: maintainablerails.com
I'm more interested in the humans giving existing code its second act.
If that resonates, check out my free course for Rails developers: maintainablerails.com
Maintainable Rails: Free Email Course for Developers | Give Your App Its Second Act
A free email course for Ruby on Rails developers who want to evolve their existing apps without a rewrite. Learn practical ways to make your Rails app faster, safer, and ready for its second act.
maintainablerails.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Everyone’s talking about AI writing new code.
I'm more interested in the humans giving existing code its second act.
If that resonates, check out my free course for Rails developers: maintainablerails.com
I'm more interested in the humans giving existing code its second act.
If that resonates, check out my free course for Rails developers: maintainablerails.com