HTML All The Things - Web Development, AI, and Developer Careers

Microsoft says it’s listening. After years of complaints about Windows 11 - from missing features to a growing focus on AI integrations like Copilot—Microsoft has published a new blog post committing to improving the core Windows experience. But is this a real shift, or just another promise? In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike break down what Microsoft actually said, what it means for developers and everyday users, and whether Windows 11 is finally getting the attention it needs. Is this the course correction Windows users have been waiting for - or is it too little, too late? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/microsoft-commits-to-fixing-windows-11

AI coding tools are evolving incredibly fast - but the user experience may not be keeping up. In this episode, Matt shares his first experience trying Codex on Windows and how a simple attempt to generate a classic Snake game quickly turned into a confusing experience filled with permission prompts, unclear setup steps, and rapidly draining usage credits. This sparks a larger discussion about whether AI development tools are moving so quickly that UX is being left behind. In this episode Matt and Mike discuss the gap between tools like ChatGPT and more advanced coding environments like Codex, why developer tools can still feel intimidating even with AI doing the coding, and how today’s AI ecosystem feels a lot like the early days of crypto - powerful but sometimes chaotic. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/trying-codex-for-the-first-time-was-confusing Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike take a look at a rare piece of good news in the tech industry - software engineering job postings are on the rise. After years of layoffs, hiring freezes, and constant speculation about AI replacing developers, this shift feels like a breath of fresh air. But how meaningful is it? Are companies actually hiring again, or are more job postings simply creating the illusion of recovery? Matt and Mike break down what this data really tells us, why job postings don’t always equal job offers, and how AI may be reshaping hiring expectations rather than eliminating roles altogether. They also discuss economic uncertainties, shrinkage in specific dev areas (ie game development), and draw comparisons to pre-pandemic job posting numbers. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/dev-job-postings-are-rising-but-is-it-enough Mentioned good news episode: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/some-good-news-for-web-developers

Are websites dead? Is SEO even worth it anymore? With AI-generated answers, Google’s AI overviews, and tools that can build entire sites in seconds, it’s easy to think the traditional web is on its way out. But is that actually what’s happening? In this episode, Matt sits down with agency owner Nat Miletic to talk about what they’re seeing firsthand in the world of web development and client work. From niche sites to WordPress to the future of organic traffic, they break down what’s changing - and what’s not. If you’re a developer, freelancer, or agency owner wondering where things are headed, this is a grounded, real-world look at the impact of AI on websites and SEO. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/are-websites-dead-agency-owner

AI tools can now write code, scaffold entire apps, and even manage parts of the development process - but if building software is easier than ever, why aren’t we seeing a flood of wildly successful new products? In this episode Matt and Mike explore the idea that writing code was never actually the biggest bottleneck in building software. Instead, the real challenges lie in figuring out what to build, who to build it for, and how to get people to actually use it. They discuss the hidden work behind successful products - including product management, marketing, stakeholder alignment, and navigating real-world complexity like infrastructure, edge cases, and legacy integrations. If AI can help us write code faster than ever, what does that mean for developers, founders, and the future of building software? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/writing-code-was-never-the-bottleneck Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

AI coding tools are evolving quickly - and the latest generation of “agentic” development tools are changing how developers interact with their codebases. In this edition of the Web News, Mike introduces Matt to Claude Code for the first time. While Matt already uses tools like ChatGPT to assist with coding, he hasn’t yet adopted the newer workflow where AI agents can plan, generate, and modify entire projects directly from the terminal. During the episode, Mike walks through a live demo of Claude Code by attempting to generate a brand-new website for the HTML All The Things podcast and blog. Along the way, they explore features like plan mode, discuss how agent-based tools approach software development, and examine how these tools compare to more familiar AI assistants. Throughout the demo, Matt reacts in real time - asking questions, challenging assumptions, and trying to understand how these modern AI development workflows actually fit into a real developer’s process. If you’ve been hearing about tools like Claude Code, Codex, or AI coding agents and wondering how they actually work in practice, this episode offers a firsthand look at the experience of using them live. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/trying-claude-code-for-the-first-time  

A lot of developers say you should learn a framework from its official documentation - but is that actually a good way to learn React when you’re still a beginner? In this episode, Matt breaks down his experience working through the official React docs, including the Quick Start guide, the Tic-Tac-Toe tutorial, and the “Thinking in React” section. Along the way, he talks about where React starts to click, where the docs shine for beginners, and why understanding project structure, state, and component hierarchy matters so much when you’re trying to move beyond vanilla JavaScript. In this episode Matt and Mike discuss whether the official React documentation is enough for beginners, how React’s learning materials compare to more guided tutorials, and what parts of the docs are especially helpful when you’re trying to build real understanding instead of just copying code. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/can-i-learn-react-using-the-official-documentation Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Working with clients is a normal part of running a web development agency - but every once in a while you encounter a client who refuses to budge, even when their approach is actively hurting their own project. In this edition of the Web News, Matt Lawrence and Mike Karan discuss one of the most frustrating realities of agency life: stubborn clients who become convinced they’ve already diagnosed the problem. Whether it’s a client insisting their website traffic issues are caused by technical SEO instead of weak content, or pushing for changes that won’t actually improve results, these situations can quickly derail projects. Matt and Mike break down why these situations happen, how developers can redirect the conversation without damaging the client relationship, and practical strategies for dealing with clients who won’t listen. If you work with clients - whether as a freelancer, agency owner, or developer inside a company - you’ve likely run into this scenario before. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/when-clients-ignore-your-advice

The web development industry has felt pretty turbulent lately - AI disruption, layoffs, hiring freezes, and endless doom-scrolling. So in this episode, we’re flipping the script. There’s actually some genuinely good news happening in web development right now. From developer job numbers quietly ticking back up, to Nvidia’s internal AI experiment showing productivity gains without eliminating roles, to Interop 2026 launching with all major browser vendors aligned on compatibility - the industry may be stabilizing more than it seems. We also talk about how AI is making our jobs easier (yes, really), why frameworks like React, Vue, and Svelte have matured into stable foundations, and why the “AI bias” toward certain tools is starting to disappear. In this episode Matt and Mike cut through the noise and highlight what’s actually going right in web development - and why this might be one of the best times to adapt rather than panic. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/some-good-news-for-web-developers Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Block just laid off nearly 4,000 employees - cutting its workforce almost in half - and CEO Jack Dorsey says it’s not because the company is struggling. In this edition of the Web News, we break down Jack’s X post explaining the decision and what it signals about AI-driven productivity, flatter teams, and the future of tech companies. Is this a one-off restructuring - or the beginning of a major shift in how companies are built? Matt and Mike also discuss how to remain ready for market changes and how to avoid the fear of what seems like career-level existential threats. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/what-do-the-block-layoffs-mean-for-the-industry

As I dive deeper into React and AI-assisted development, I’ve realized something uncomfortable - my JavaScript fundamentals weren’t as solid as I thought. In this episode Matt and Mike revisit ES6 and modern JavaScript concepts like let vs var, const and mutability, arrow functions, this binding, destructuring, and more. We also explore how frameworks and AI tools can add layers of abstraction that quietly distance us from core fundamentals. If you’re working with React, Svelte, or modern tooling, this episode is a reminder that mastering JavaScript fundamentals is still one of the best investments you can make as a developer. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/upgrading-my-javascript-fundamentals-es6-and-beyond Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Are mobile apps really “dead”? With the rise of AI-generated micro apps and vibe coding tools like Google Opal, some believe users will stop downloading traditional apps and instead generate exactly what they need on demand. But is that realistic? In this edition of the Web News, Matt breaks down the growing narrative around AI-generated apps and questions whether everyday consumers actually want to prompt-engineer their own tools. He explores the hidden costs of app generation - bug fixing, long-term maintenance, shared user experiences, and platform longevity - and explains why general-purpose apps aren’t disappearing anytime soon. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/mobile-apps-are-not-dead

AI tools are becoming a core part of modern development workflows—but they come with serious risks most developers aren’t thinking about. In this episode, Matt and Mike break down five AI security threats that are already happening in the real world. From prompt injection attacks and rogue AI agents with access to your email, to runaway API bills and poisoned models slipping into your stack - these aren’t hypothetical problems. If you're using AI in production, in your codebase, or inside your company workflows, this episode will help you understand what can go wrong - and how to protect yourself before it does. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/5-ways-ai-can-blow-up-in-your-face

The pace of AI model releases is becoming almost impossible to follow. In just two weeks we saw GPT-5.3-Codex, GPT-5.2 updates, Gemini 3 Deep Think upgrades, Claude Opus 4.6 with a 1M context window in beta, Qwen3-Coder-Next, GLM-5, MiniMax M2.5, Cursor Composer 1.5, and even Kimi 2.5 just outside the window. This isn’t a quarterly product cycle anymore - it’s a daily arms race. In this episode Matt and Mike break down what this acceleration means for developers, open source, frontier labs, and the broader industry. Are we witnessing healthy innovation, or unsustainable velocity? At what point does this stabilize - if it ever does? If you’re trying to build, learn, or compete in AI right now… this conversation is for you. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/ai-competition-is-out-of-control

Most website project delays aren’t caused by bad code - they’re caused by communication and decision-making issues. In this episode, Matt and Mike flip the script and talk about how clients can be better partners to their web developers. From vague feedback and false urgency to scope creep and decision-by-committee, we break down the most common developer pet peeves, why they matter, and what small communication changes can dramatically reduce costs, speed up timelines, and improve final results. This isn’t about blaming clients - it’s about understanding how modern web projects actually work. ‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/how-to-be-a-good-client-to-your-web-developer Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

As AI tools and instant search become more embedded in our daily workflows, it’s getting easier to outsource our thinking instead of working through problems ourselves. In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike discuss whether AI is making us lazier thinkers, how constant access to answers is changing problem-solving habits, and why struggling with a problem might still be an important skill to protect. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/we-dont-think-anymore

In this episode Mike and Matt discuss how code review is becoming one of the most important developer skills as AI takes on more of the actual code writing. With AI generating larger and denser pull requests, reviewing code effectively has become harder - and more critical - than ever. They break down the real cognitive limits humans face when reviewing code, including how many lines can realistically be reviewed at once and why reviews should be timeboxed to avoid missed issues. The conversation focuses on how to anchor reviews around what truly matters in a codebase, such as security, performance, testing, reliability, and user experience. Mike and Matt also share practical tips for becoming a better code reviewer, including creating checklists around critical paths, doing multiple review passes, encouraging smaller cascading PRs, and relying on tools like linters, formatters, and AI to handle nits. They wrap up by exploring how AI can assist with code reviews - summarizing diffs, identifying risky areas, and generating edge cases - while leaving final decisions and tradeoffs firmly in human hands. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/code-reviews-are-more-important-than-ever Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

AI is still in its “build at all costs” phase, but the pressure to turn a profit is growing fast. With reports suggesting OpenAI could burn through billions in 2026, the question becomes clear: how does AI actually make money? We dig into subscriptions, potential future monetization models, and the looming threats of regulation, copyright, and data access. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-ai-monetization-problem-nobody-has-solved-yet

Site owners are seeing traffic to their websites drop considerably as users begin asking AI questions, instead of searching for solutions on individual sites. Value-based websites seem to be getting hit with the worst of it, as tutorials and listicles are easily presented right inside an LLM's chat window. This leaves many site owners with a dilemma - should they continue to chase SEO trends, or should they reach for something more tuned to AI, like AEO and GEO? With many websites being run by just a few staff members, resources are tight - so every missed pageview matters. In 2026, should site owners worry about SEO, GEO, or AEO? Or maybe even all of them at the same time? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/should-you-worry-about-seo-geo-and-aeo-in-2026 Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of the Web News, Matt and Mike discuss Ryan Dahl's recent comments regarding software engineers in the world of AI. Ryan recently shared his viewpoint via a post on X where he stated that he thinks the era of humans writing code is over - meaning that SWEs may still have work to do, but that writing syntax won't be it. We unpack this viewpoint and further discuss the world of software engineering as AI continues to invade the coding space for hobby coders, professionals, and vibe coders. For those of you that don't know, Ryan Dahl is the creator of Node.js - so his voice carries some weight in the web development space. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-era-of-humans-writing-code-is-over Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.