Fullstack Wizard ✨ Crafting cutting-edge apps 🚀 Passionate about UI/UX design 🎨 Forever learning & evolving 🌱 https://jimmymcbride.dev Brain gives AI coding agents a durable memory and context layer inside the repo, so they can start with the right docs, decisions, and workflow rules instead of starting cold. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/brain-explained https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/brain-explained Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Tired of vendor lock-in, confusing analytics, and paying big tech for services you can host yourself? In this blog, I’ll walk you through four incredible open-source tools—Coolify, AppWrite, Plausible, and SvelteKit—that empower you to build, deploy, and manage your digital empire from scratch. Whether it’s deploying full-stack apps, tracking meaningful data, or crafting fast web apps, these tools offer complete control and transparency. Ready to join the open-source revolution? https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/self-host-your-digital-empire https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/self-host-your-digital-empire Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT After facing a massive DDoS attack on my self-hosted server, I learned the hard way how important firewalls are—especially cloud firewalls that can stop malicious traffic before it even reaches your server. In this blog, I share my journey from near-server meltdown to bulletproofing my setup, exploring the difference between traditional and cloud firewalls, and how a few simple steps can protect your server from hackers and their bots. If you're thinking about self-hosting, you won't want to miss this! https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/i-survived-a-massive-ddos-attack https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/i-survived-a-massive-ddos-attack Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this blog, I go over my experience using AI writing tools, the mistakes I made along the way, and how I’ve found a better balance between saving time and staying true to my authentic voice. If you want to use AI without losing that unique, human touch in your content, this one’s for you! https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/how-to-use-ai-writing-tools https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/how-to-use-ai-writing-tools Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT This blog dives into how to boost your SEO rankings by leveraging canonical links, sitemaps, and Google Search Console when cross-posting content on platforms like Dev.to or Medium. We cover how to ensure your official blog gets indexed first, and the importance of using sitemaps to drive traffic back to your main site. Using a SvelteKit blog as an example, you’ll see a step-by-step guide on implementing a dynamic sitemap that keeps Google updated on new posts, helping to improve search engine visibility and grow your blog’s audience. Perfect for anyone looking to get the most out of their SEO strategy! https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/the-ultimate-devto-hacks https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/the-ultimate-devto-hacks Fri, 04 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this blog, we dive into building a modern blog platform using SvelteKit, Tailwind CSS, and Shiki for syntax highlighting. We’ll cover everything from setting up your project, working with markdown using mdsvex, to implementing SEO and prerendering for maximum performance. By the end, you'll have a fast, scalable blog ready to handle beautiful code snippets and more! https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/sveltekit-blog https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/sveltekit-blog Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this blog, I dive into why I love Linux and why it’s the only operating system I use on my personal machine. From ownership and freedom to open-source values, I explain what makes Linux special for me and why it aligns with my morals and passions as a developer. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/linux-i-choose-you https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/linux-i-choose-you Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT This guide is the perfect companion for your first Arch Linux installation. It breaks down the process step by step, simplifying the technical details, and ensuring you don’t feel lost. From partitioning the disk to setting up a swap file, I’ll guide you through it all—including a few pro tips to save you from the mistakes I made as a beginner. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/hitchhikers-guide-to-the-arch-linux-installation https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/hitchhikers-guide-to-the-arch-linux-installation Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this post, we unlock the power of awk—a command-line tool that excels at text processing and data manipulation. Using a simple example file, we explore how to extract, transform, and summarize data with ease. Whether you’re calculating totals, printing specific columns, or performing advanced pattern matching, this guide will get you up and running with awk like a pro! https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/awkwardly-awesome https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/awkwardly-awesome Mon, 23 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this post, we dive into the power of sed, the stream editor that makes text manipulation fast and efficient. From simple find-and-replace tasks to powerful regex transformations, sed can handle it all. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/sed-it-right https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/sed-it-right Sun, 22 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT This post is your ultimate guide to leveling up your command-line game! We’re diving deep into the most commonly used text manipulation tools—cat, grep, and the magic of pipes and redirection. Learn how to efficiently search through text, manipulate files, and combine these tools like a pro. Plus, we’ve included a pro tip on how to use grep --color to make your searches even easier. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/cat-grep-and-go https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/cat-grep-and-go Sat, 21 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this post, we dive deep into the core shell commands every aspiring shell wizard should know. From file manipulation to text processing, and managing file permissions, these commands are the foundation of mastering the command line. Let’s level up your shell skills with practical examples and powerful one-liners! https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/bash-n-dash https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/bash-n-dash Fri, 20 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this post, we explore the power of the command line and shell basics, from navigation to file management. If you're ready to start your journey toward becoming a shell wizard, this guide is for you! https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/shell-we-begin https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/shell-we-begin Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this blog, I break down my favorite Bash functions and aliases that make working with Git faster and more efficient. Learn how to create custom Git workflows in your terminal that save time and reduce typing. Whether you’re a terminal purist or just curious about automating your Git commands, this post has something for everyone! https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/why-i-bash-git https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/why-i-bash-git Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this blog, I walk through the process of automating Godot project creation using a custom bash script. Learn how to set up new projects, add specific assets, initialize Git, and streamline your game development workflow. Perfect for anyone looking to automate repetitive tasks in game development! https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/bash-script-godot-4-project-creator https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/bash-script-godot-4-project-creator Fri, 13 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this blog, I discuss the never-ending hype of new frameworks, the dangers of shiny object syndrome, and how to focus on building with the tools you already know. Whether you're a builder or a tinkerer, I offer advice on how to stay true to your goals and choose the right technology stack for your projects. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/choosing-the-right-framework https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/choosing-the-right-framework Thu, 12 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this blog post, I explore the pitfalls of getting stuck in 'tutorial hell,' the importance of starting your own projects as you grow as a developer, and how to effectively use tutorials for specific challenges while building your skills independently. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/breaking-out-of-tutorial-hell https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/breaking-out-of-tutorial-hell Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT In this blog post, I discuss the dangers of over-relying on third-party tools, the advantages of writing your own, and when it might be more practical to rely on a third-party tool. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/writing-your-own-tools https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/writing-your-own-tools Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT With so many opinions buzzing around the tech realm, you might be thinking, "Which path do I take? What language do I start with?" 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♀️ Well, fret not, because this guide is here to help you navigate through the modern labyrinth of choices, and find your best path. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/the-undisputed-best-way-to-learn-how-to-code https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/the-undisputed-best-way-to-learn-how-to-code Mon, 04 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT Your projects are left unfinished not because of your technical abilities, but because you haven't learned how to plan properly. The imposter syndrome might whisper that you lack the skills, but in reality, you simply need a clear and organized approach. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/the-key-to-completing-projects-matering-the-art-of-planning https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/the-key-to-completing-projects-matering-the-art-of-planning Wed, 17 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT Hey there, ambitious developers! 🚀 Are you excited about starting a new project, but not sure where to begin? Don't worry; I've got you covered! https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/planning-a-project-from-scratch https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/planning-a-project-from-scratch Wed, 10 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT Ready to take your Jetpack Compose animations to the next level? In today's blog post, we'll learn how to create custom animations instead of using predefined ones, giving you the flexibility to design a unique experience for your app users. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/create-custom-jetpack-compose-animations-make-your-app-experience-truly-unique https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/create-custom-jetpack-compose-animations-make-your-app-experience-truly-unique Mon, 08 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT Welcome to this fantastic journey into the world of Jetpack Compose, Material 3, and animations! If you've been looking for a comprehensive guide to help you create a task app using these cutting-edge technologies, you've come to the right place. https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/swipe-away-tasks-jetpack-compose-material-3-todo-app-quick-start-guide https://jimmymcbride.dev/blog/swipe-away-tasks-jetpack-compose-material-3-todo-app-quick-start-guide Wed, 03 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT