Posts https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/ Follow all blog posts by Allen Your agent is repeating itself https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/your-agent-is-repeating-itself/ So much of agent traffic is repetitive. By adding in caching layers, you can both improve your user experience and decrease your bills in one fell swoop. Local agents scare me https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/local-agents-scare-me/ I built an AI agent with its own identity, MFA, and scoped credentials. It's still not safe. Here's why local is the wrong place to run it. Your AI agents are a security nightmare https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/your-ai-agents-are-a-security-nightmare/ AI agents often run with more access than they should. Here's how moving to session-based identity changed how I design and trust autonomous systems. Postman might be my new favorite IDE https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/postman-might-be-my-new-favorite-ide/ AI can generate APIs quickly, but maintaining structure is harder. Here’s how I used Postman to enforce contracts, tests, and CI across the API lifecycle. When serving images from S3 stopped being good enough https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/blog-cdn/ Serving images from S3 worked for years, until it didn't. Here's how I moved image optimization out of my workflow and made performance the default. Road to re:Invent Hackathon: How Not to Build a Serverless App https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/road-to-reinvent/ I built a deliberately overengineered serverless hackathon project with agents, event-driven choreography, and what not to do... on purpose. Cognitive Dissonance https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/cognitive-dissonance/ "Do as I say, not as I do" applies hard with MCP. We talk a lot about the problems and not enough about practical solutions. The comic is a nudge to shift from critique to construction. Multi-Agent Collaboration https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/multi-agent-collaboration/ Multi-agent collaboration sounds great in theory, but the game of telephone between agents can produce unpredictable results. The comic is a reminder to design clear roles, shared context, and guardrails. Trust will make or break AI agents https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/trust-will-make-or-break-ai-agents/ Why trust—not hype—will determine the future of AI tools. Without authority, adoption stalls. Here's what we need to move forward. Observability for MCP servers with Kestra https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/kestra/ Learn how to track tool usage, success rates, and latency in your MCP server using Kestra workflows, Momento Cache, and the Postman visualizer—no backend code required. Your API might be someone else's model https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/your-api-might-be-someone-elses-model/ Should we pump the brakes on MCP? Maybe not—but we do need a CORS-like mechanism to protect APIs from unauthorized model wrapping. I'm back! https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/im-back/ I start back at work today after a couple of months off and I have a request. AppSync Events Are Great, But Did You Really Need Serverless WebSockets? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/appsync-events/ A real-world look at AppSync Events through the lens of hard-earned WebSockets mistakes. What managed real-time actually means, what's still missing, and what most teams really want. Okay, Gitpod Flex is actually pretty cool https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/gitpod-flex/ I recently tried out Gitpod Flex and I feel like it's going to change the way I approach open-source software Scaling community growth with code https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/scaling-community-growth-with-serverless/ Learn about how I helped scale the Believe in Serverless community and grow the brand presence with a little bit of automation. July cancer update https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/july-cancer-update/ It's been two months since I shared that my daughter has leukemia. Let's talk about how it's going. AWS Step Functions vs Temporal: A Practical Developer Comparison https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/step-functions-vs-temporal/ A practical comparison of AWS Step Functions and Temporal, looking at workflow modeling, operational complexity, and how each fits different system designs. A personal update https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/a-personal-update/ It's been a minute since you've heard from me. Let's catch up a bit. This is the best new feature from POST/CON https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/postcon-2024/ Postman made lots of announcements at their conference, but I'm especially excited for this one. Serverless Postgres with Neon: First Impressions from a Production Mindset https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/serverless-postgres-with-neon/ First impressions of serverless Postgres with Neon, focusing on developer experience, performance tradeoffs, and where it fits (or doesn't) in real-world systems. Show your personality https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/show-your-personality/ In a world where AI-generated content is taking over, it's never been more important to let your personality shine ✨ How to trigger events every 30 seconds in AWS https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/triggering-events-every-30-seconds-in-aws/ Cron jobs let you set recurring events down to 1-minute intervals. But what if you need more? I didn't know it did that - Postman Postbot https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/i-didnt-know-it-did-that-postman-postbot/ I recently put Postman's AI companion to the test, let's talk about what I learned. Be an enabler https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/be-an-enabler/ Find those around you who push you out of your comfort zone and stick with you every step of the way. How I Built Automatic Click-Tracking and Content Spotlights For My Website https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/newsletter-click-tracking/ Learn how I automated the creation of redirect links and click-tracking to highlight content creators without any extra work Building For Interactivity: When Async Is Not Enough https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/async-is-not-enough/ The world has gone async, but is that enough to build delightful apps? In most cases, it is not. How I Built A Santa Chatbot To Mess With My Brother https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/santa-chatbot/ Every year I write some software to creatively distribute presents to my brother. I might have gone too far this year. This Is NOT A Re:Invent Recap https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/this-is-not-a-reinvent-recap/ Instead of the usual "this is what came out of re:Invent" post, let me share some big realizations from the conference. Using AI To Go From JSON to API in Seconds https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/json-to-working-api-in-seconds/ You can go from thought to functional API in as little as 15 seconds. How I Used Amazon Bedrock to Write, Schedule, and Post My Tweets https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/automatic-social-posts/ Finding the time to create and post on social media takes time and expertise I don't have. So I asked AI to do it for me. WebSockets, gRPC, MQTT, and SSE - Which Real-Time Notification Method Is For You? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/which-real-time-notification-method-is-for-you/ Did you know real-time notifications were more than just WebSockets? You have plenty of options based on your use case. Test-Driven Development with AI: The Right Way to Code Using Generative AI https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/tdd-with-ai/ How often do you generative AI to write your code? What about writing your tests? You might be doing it backwards. Seriously, Write Your API Spec First https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/seriously-write-your-spec-first/ It's time we stop the old code-first or spec-first debate. Turn Any API Into An Event-Driven Engine https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/turn-any-api-into-an-event-driven-engine/ Is your API defined with an Open API Spec? Good news! You can turn that into an event-driven engine in your CI pipeline. How to Process Stripe Subscriptions In Your Serverless Apps https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-process-stripe-subscriptions/ Starting a SaaS app and need to set your users up with premium features? Here's how to get started. Is Coding On Its Way Out? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/is-coding-on-its-way-out/ With more and more options that abstract away writing code, what will we be doing in 5 years? A Beginner's Guide to the Serverless Application Model (SAM) https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/a-beginners-guide-to-sam/ Want to get started with SAM but don't know what to do first? You're in the right place. What Is "Production-Grade" Software? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/what-is-production-grade-software/ We've all seen the phrase "production-grade" software, but what does that actually mean? Are we setting our apps up for failure? Solo SaaS - How I Built a Serverless Workout App By Myself https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/solo-saas-how-i-built-a-workout-app-by-myself/ Taking on SaaS can be terrifying, but it doesn't have to be. The right tools and proper mindset can take you from idea to production in no time. Prompt Engineering: The Future of AI-Driven Development https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/prompt-engineering/ AI won't replace software developers. However, the required skills are going to change drastically. Making Sense of Cross-Posting: Knowing Where And Why to Publish Your Content https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/making-sense-of-cross-posting/ Do you cross-post your articles on multiple blogging platforms? Do you know which one does the best and how the audiences differ? ChatGPT Changed How I Write Software https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/chatgpt-changed-how-i-write-software/ Generative AI has completely changed the way I approach software design. I don't think I could ever go back. Why Community Is The Best Source of Growth For Your Tech Career https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/why-community-is-the-best-source-of-growth-for-your-tech-career/ We talk a lot about "the community" in tech. But not all of us know what it is, how to get involved, or where to find it. Level Up Your Blog With Writer Analytics and Text-to-Speech https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/blog-level-up-writer-analytics-and-text-to-speech/ I created an automation to collect writer analytics and convert blog posts to audio files. Now you can too! Serverless Speed Test: Comparing Lambda, Step Functions, App Runner, and Direct Integrations https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/serverless-integration-speed-test/ I pitted Lambda, direct integrations, synchronous express step function workflows, and AppRunner against each other to see which was fastest and could scale the best. Are We Making Lambda Too Hard? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/are-we-making-lambda-too-hard/ Hot take alert! Some of the "best practices" we're seeing nowadays are taking the simplicity of Lambda and throwing it right out the door. Build What Matters https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/build-what-matters/ Inspiring success stories make it tempting to jump straight into the deep end. But following in the footsteps of others might lead to building something you aren't ready for. The Serverless Toolbox - Tools To Build Serverless Apps Easier https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/introducing-the-serverless-toolbox/ Do you find yourself rebuilding serverless tools over and over for your side projects? Me too. So I made the serverless toolbox! My ChatGPT Workout Generator Just Got Better https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/my-chatgpt-workout-generator-just-got-better/ The first version was great, but it didn't use the real ChatGPT. I made some updates and now it's better than ever. Are Serverless Services Worth It? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/are-serverless-services-worth-it/ Trying to decide if going serverless is for you? There are a few trade-offs you need to consider first. The Solution Architect's Guide to Serverless https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/solution_architects_guide_to_serverless/ You've undoubtedly heard about serverless and read about the benefits. But implementing serverless into your app doesn't have to be all or nothing. Build Faster and Easier APIs With User Sessions https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/boost-your-apis-with-user-sessions/ I've been building APIs for years, but recently discovered the power of inferring data from user sessions for a better developer experience. Why API Specs Are the Backbone of Successful Development https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/why-api-specs-are-the-backbone-of-successful-development/ Learn why API specifications are essential to the long-term success of every application and what you're missing out on if you don't have one. Building a Serverless Post Scheduler For Static Websites https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/serverless-post-scheduler-for-static-sites/ Static sites are great but if you want to schedule something in the future, they leave something to be desired. Serverless Lessons - Location Is Everything! https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/serverless-lessons-location-is-everything/ The location of your serverless app matters more than you might think. You could add significant latency and cost if you don't take it into consideration. Automate Your Life and Save Time By Going Serverless https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/automate-your-life-and-save-time-with-serverless-technology/ You probably do a few things every day that could be automated. Get your time back by building quick serverless integrations to do them for you. 5 Tips for Building the Best Developer Experience Possible https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/5-tips-for-building-the-best-dx-possible/ Developer experience is a thankless part of software. When it's good, it's good. When it's bad... everybody talks about it and nobody uses it. ChatGPT Is My New Personal Trainer https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/chatgpt-is-my-new-personal-trainer/ I built a serverless app that asks ChatGPT to write workouts for me every day. I couldn't be happier with the results. The Risks of Moving Too Quickly with Serverless Development https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the-potential-risks-of-moving-too-quickly-with-serverless-development/ We often get caught up in the excitement of how fast serverless development is. But be careful not to move too fast. Growing Your Career in the Evolving Tech Field https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/growing-your-career-in-tech/ Learn how I built my tech career by pursuing my passion and what you can do to follow suit. I Have Good News And Bad News About Your Cloud Metrics https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/good-news-and-bad-news-about-your-cloud-metrics/ Most of us think all we need to do is push logs to an APM vendor to track our KPIs. There's a bit more to it than that. How I Built An Open Source Serverless Newsletter Platform https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-i-built-an-open-source-newsletter-platform/ With Revue shutting down later this month, I had to find another option for my newsletters. So I built one. Serverless In 2023 - A Shift In Focus https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/serverless-in-2023-a-shift-in-focus/ With a new year comes a new focus. This year's is especially important in serverless apps. 2022 in Serverless https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/2022-in-serverless/ It has been an incredible year for serverless. Let's recount some of the amazing things that happened. Lessons Learned From Writing 50 Blog Posts In A Year https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/lessons-learned-from-writing-50-blog-posts-in-a-year/ Writing so many blog posts this year was intense, but I learned so much more than I expected. I Built a Serverless App To Cross-Post My Blogs https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-i-built-a-serverless-automation-to-cross-post-my-blogs/ Publishing my blogs on several platforms takes up a good amount of time every week. There had to be a better way. I Don't Know What Serverless Is Anymore https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/i-dont-know-what-serverless-is-anymore/ The definition of serverless is changing and nobody seems to agree on what it actually is Going Serverless? Build An Observability Mindset https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/build-an-observability-mindset/ With serverless applications, observability is crucial to your success. Learn why you need to build with observability as your first thought. Why Serverless Direct Integrations Aren't As Scary As They Sound https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/direct-integrations-arent-scary/ API Gateway direct integrations are shrouded with mystery and doubt. But they shouldn't be. Here's why. The Current State of Infrastructure From Code https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/infrastructure-from-code-benchmark/ I tested three Infrastructure from Code frameworks and got drastically different experiences. Here's what I found. Understanding Total Cost of Ownership of Serverless and Container Applications https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/understanding-tco-of-serverless-and-container-applications/ It costs much more than your monthly AWS bill to build and maintain an app in production When Is Serverless More Expensive Than Containers? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/when-is-serverless-more-expensive/ There's a certain amount of traffic that tips the scales to make serverless a more expensive bill at the end of the month. The Power of High Functioning Dev Teams https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the-power-of-a-high-functioning-team/ A high functioning dev team is an unstoppable machine. Learn how you can elevate your team to the next level. Serverless API Essentials: PUT vs PATCH https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/api-essentials-put-vs-patch/ It can be tricky to know when to update a resource with a PUT or a PATCH. Once you decide, choosing which serverless resources to use is your next hurdle. Skip The Lambda Function, Connect Directly To Your AWS Services https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/direct-connections-with-api-gateway/ Did you know API Gateway integrates directly with over 100 services? Learn how to skip Lambda and what to watch out for when you do. Infrastructure From Code - My First Impression https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/first-impression-of-infrastructure-from-code/ Infrastructure from code is a new concept that determines cloud resources directly from your code. I tried it out and formed some early opinions. Success With Step Functions - Finding a Way To Build That Doesn't Suck https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/success-with-step-functions/ Anyone who has used Step Functions will tell you the DevEx leaves something to be desired. But we can still make it work. Serverless API Essentials - Idempotency https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/api-essentials-idempotency/ A huge part of serverless API design is handling retries or accidental resubmits. Without it, data integrity goes out the window. Let's Stop Talking About Serverless Cold Starts https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/lets-stop-talking-about-serverless-cold-starts/ Whenever we talk about serverless, there's always the one person who brings up cold starts. How I Became An AWS Serverless Hero https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-i-became-an-aws-serverless-hero/ I was recently honored with the title of AWS Serverless Hero. Here's my story. Best Practices for Building Serverless Microservices https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/serverless-microservice-best-practices/ Normalizing on standards for building microservices provides strong, consistent software anyone can pick up and maintain. Starting Over With Purpose - My Serverless Adventure https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/starting-over-with-purpose/ Learn what it took starting from nothing to getting two completely serverless apps live in production. 3 Things to Know Before Building a Multi-Tenant Serverless App https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/things-to-know-before-building-a-multi-tenant-serverless-app/ A multi-tenant application is a complex piece of software that could end in disaster if not built with these things in mind. What Does The Future Hold For Serverless? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/what-does-the-future-hold-for-serverless/ Serverless is gaining more and more popularity. What can we expect from it in the future Solutions Architect Tips - How to Design Applications For Growth https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-design-applications-for-growth/ When designing an application you need to plan for three steps in the future. How can you design an app in a way that lets you iterate? What Is Data Gravity And Is It Important With Serverless? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/what-is-data-gravity-and-is-it-important/ When talking about vendor lock-in, people rarely talk about data gravity. Do you need to consider it when going serverless? Three Reasons Why Blogging Makes You A Better Developer https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/be-a-better-developer-by-blogging/ Plus some bonus tips on how to get started Going API-First: Your First 30 Days https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/api-first-your-first-thirty-days/ Transitioning to an API-first development strategy is hard work. Here's what to expect in your first month. What Is Serverless Enablement And Why Is It Important? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/what-is-serverless-enablement/ As the benefits of serverless continue to grow, it's more important than ever for companies to get involved and enable their app teams. Building Serverless Applications That Scale The Perfect Amount https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-design-serverless-apps-that-scale-the-perfect-amount/ Designing applications for the right amount of scale is a huge architectural task. With serverless part of it is handled for you, but some of it you're on your own. Solutions Architect Tips - How to Design Around Serverless Service Limits https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-avoid-serverless-limits/ When designing an application using managed services, you have to know the service limits so you don't get any surprises in production. Three Ways to Retry Failures In Your Serverless Application https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/three-ways-to-retry-failures/ Learn how to handle errors in your event-driven workflows from a low, medium, and high level. Are You Really API-First Or Do You Just Think It? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/are-you-really-api-first/ Being API-first involves as many process changes as it does cultural changes to do it effectively. Quick Optimizations You Should Make to Your Serverless Applications https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/quick-optimizations-for-your-serverless-applications/ Discover a few ways to fine-tune your serverless application to make it perform better than ever before. Solutions Architect Tips - How to Build Your First Architecture Diagram https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-build-your-first-architecture-diagram/ Diagrams are a Solutions Architect's best friend. But they can be notoriously difficult to start. Here are some tips before you put pen to paper. AWS Step Functions Pitfalls: 3 Real Problems (and When to Avoid Them) https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/when-not-to-use-step-functions/ AWS Step Functions are powerful, but not always the right choice. This post breaks down three real pitfalls teams hit in production and when you should consider alternatives. Introducing A New Cross-Cutting Architecture Diagram: The Critical Path https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/introducing-a-new-type-of-architecture-diagram/ This new architecture diagram spans levels 1-3 of the C4 model to give you the fastest view at your system possible How to Load Test Your Apps For Free By Going Serverless https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/load-test-with-serverless/ Stress testing your system can be just as stressful on you as it is for your app. But with serverless you can quickly and easily run cost-effective load tests with minimal setup. Is Disaster Recovery Worth It In Serverless Applications? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/is-serverless-disaster-recovery-worth-it/ Serverless already has high availability out of the box. Do you need to add on top of that? Going Serverless? Governance Is Everything https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/serverless-governance-is-everything/ When deciding to go serverless, you need to put up some guardrails to protect yourself. If you don't, you might find yourself in a hole you can't get out of. Lambda vs Step Functions: The Battle of Cost and Performance https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/lambda-vs-step-functions-breakdown/ With the big push to use Step Functions over Lambda, you might be wondering "which is more cost effective"? The answer might surprise you. How to Build Lightning Fast APIs with AWS Step Functions https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-build-lightning-fast-apis-with-aws-step-functions/ Step Functions are quickly turning into the de facto standard for building workflows in AWS. Discover the trick to configuring them with your REST APIs. Build Better Serverless APIs By Going Storage First https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/built-better-serverless-apis-by-going-storage-first/ Serverless offers many options when it comes to API design. Storage first is an async pattern that is changing the game. Solutions Architect Tips - 3 Tricks For Keeping Sight Of The Bigger Picture https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/keeping-sight-of-the-big-picture/ As a Solutions Architect, you will be asked to design many projects. Be sure to keep the big picture in mind when coming up with your design. The Importance of Proper Serverless API Design https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the-importance-of-proper-serverless-api-design/ Serverless enables you to create APIs in minutes. But just because you could, doesn't mean you should. Lessons Learned From Switching to AWS SDK v3 https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/lessons-learned-from-switching-to-aws-sdk-v3/ Dive into some lessons learned before you switch your Node.js lambda functions over to the latest and greatest Solutions Architect Tips - The 6 Secrets to Building Inspiring Proposals https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/sa-tips-secrets-to-building-inspiring-proposals/ Are you new to Solutions Architecture? Discover how to build a proposal for your next solution that everyone will love The 5-Step Checklist for Serverless Load Testing https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the-checklist-for-serverless-load-testing/ Before you do a load test on your serverless application, be sure to complete these tasks. Intro to AWS WebSockets Part Five: Custom Domain Name https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/intro-to-aws-websockets-part-five/ Discover how to add a custom domain to your WebSocket. Intro to AWS WebSockets Part Four: User Notifications https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/intro-to-aws-websockets-part-four/ Sending notifications when long running tasks complete is key to success with async software. We can add that into our workflows in minutes with WebSockets. Intro to AWS WebSockets Part Three: Documentation https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/intro-to-aws-websockets-part-three/ A critical but often overlooked piece to a great API is documentation. Explore how to properly document an event driven architecture with Async Api Spec. Intro to AWS WebSockets Part Two: Auth https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/intro-to-aws-websockets-part-two/ Every API needs some form of security. WebSockets are no different. Intro to AWS WebSockets https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/intro-to-aws-websockets/ Websockets are key to polished async processes. Discover how to start with push notifications in AWS And The 2022 Word Of The Year Is... https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the-2022-word-of-the-year-is/ For some of us, it is exciting. For others, a little daunting. How To Refactor Serverless Applications The Right Way https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-refactor-serverless-applications-the-right-way/ Keeping serverless applications from falling behind feels like refueling a jet plane in the air. Here are some tips to help incorporate new features without losing momentum. Webhooks Explained Simply... With Car Shopping! https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/webhooks-explained-simply-with-car-shopping/ Event-driven architectures are hard technical concepts to understand. But if you've ever been car shopping, you might know more about them than you realize. APIs Explained Simply... With TV Remotes! https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/apis-explained-simply-with-tv-remotes/ As we get further into the 2020's APIs are becoming more and more relevant. But how do you explain them to your friends, coworkers, or mom? With a metaphor about tv of course! Distributed Computing Explained Simply... With Ducks! https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/distributed-computing-explained-simply-with-ducks/ Distributed computing is an advanced software strategy that is difficult to understand for many. Now you can explain it simply with ducks! The Three Key Phases to Successful Iteration https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the_three_key_phases_to_successful_iteration/ Modern software is about being agile. To be agile, you have to iterate. To iterate successfully, you must understand these three things. Why Death Marches Aren't As Bad As They Sound https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/why-death-marches-arent-as-bad-as-they-sound/ With such an ominous name, you'd want to avoid a death march at all costs. But they do have some benefits. Solutions Architect Tips - The 5 Key Factors That Drive Application Cost https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the-5-key-factors-that-drive-application-cost/ Are you designing a new app? Be sure you take all these things into consideration before you're done. Solutions Architect Tips - Decoding the AWS Serverless Design Principles https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/decoding-the-aws-serverless-design-principles/ AWS offers standard principles on how to design serverless systems. Discover how they translate into guidelines for architecting new projects. How (and Why) You Need To Start Generating Your Serverless Infrastructure Diagrams https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-and-why-you-need-to-start-generating-your-diagrams/ Infrastructure diagrams are great tools to describe all the resources contained in a service. Did you know you can automatically build them in your CI pipeline? 5 Architecture Diagram Types Every Solutions Architect Should Know https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the-5-types-of-architecture-diagrams/ Not all architecture diagrams serve the same purpose. This post breaks down five common diagram types and when each one is most useful. You Can Have It Fast Or You Can Have It Right - The Software Dilemma https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/you-can-have-it-fast-or-you-can-have-it-right/ When working with software, you often get told "faster, faster, faster!" But faster tends to lead to poor quality. What can you do? How to Work Yourself Out Of Your Tech Job (And Why That's a Good Thing) https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-work-yourself-out-of-your-tech-job/ Working yourself out of a job sounds like a terrible idea. But it's actually the best thing you can do for your career. How to Configure a Static IP For Your Serverless App https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-configure-a-static-ip-for-your-serverless-app/ It might sound like a difficult task to send your outbound Lambda traffic through a static IP address. But don't worry, it's easier than you think. Making the Move From Developer to Solutions Architect https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/making-the-move-from-contributor-to-solutions-architect/ Becoming a cloud solutions architect is a dream of many developers. But learning how to become one might not be very obvious. Discover how you can start your journey into the world of architecture. The Mighty Metaphor: Your New Secret Weapon in Tech https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the-mighty-metaphor-your-new-secret-weapon/ If you want to boost your career in tech, the path forward isn't learning more programming languages. It's becoming an expert communicator. Build Auth Once With A Shared Lambda Authorizer https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/build-auth-once-with-a-shared-lambda-authorizer/ Large organizations use many AWS accounts to manage their applications. Learn how to share a lambda authorizer across all accounts so you only have to build auth once. Power Tuning Your Serverless API For Happy Customers https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/power-tuning-your-serverless-api-for-happy-customers/ Serverless is far from new, but it is still young. As adoption grows, new techniques and best practices have emerged to provide an optimal experience for your customers. Automate Your Automation with CloudFormation Macros https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/automate-your-automation-with-cloudformation-macros/ Infrastructure as Code has been a game changer in the cloud world. But did you know you can automate creation of AWS resources? Adding a Custom Domain to AWS API Gateway https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/adding-a-custom-domain-to-aws-api-gateway/ AWS is all about API development. But one thing that's harder than it should be is putting an API behind a custom domain. How to Create an Extension for Your Open API Specification https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-create-an-extension-for-oas/ What do you do when you need something that OAS doesn't handle? Create your own extension, of course! It's 2021. This Is Where Your Focus Should Be In Tech. https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/this-is-where-your-focus-should-be-in-tech-2021/ 2020 was an enlightening year for tech. Now is our chance to capitalize on everything we learned. I Made the Best Christmas Present Ever... Again. This Time With Alexa, WebSockets, and Mobile Apps https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/i-made-the-best-christmas-present-ever-again/ Every year I give my brother his Christmas gifts in an untraditional way. This year is the best yet. What To Be Thankful For In Tech In 2020 https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/what-to-be-thankful-for-in-tech-in-2020/ Trying times sometimes make us take things for granted. This Thanksgiving, take a step back and be thankful for all the wonderful tech you use on a daily basis. How to Automatically Monitor API Performance with Dynamic Testing https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/dynamically-monitoring-api-performance/ Performance testing an API is important work, but it can take a lot of time to create and maintain tests. What if there was an easier way? The Beginner's Guide to Software Estimation https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the-beginners-guide-to-software-estimation/ Do you know what to say when someone asks, "how long will this take to build?" Software estimation can be tricky, but there are a few steps to help you provide accurate numbers. How to Write Software at the Last Responsible Moment https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-write-software-at-the-last-responsible-moment/ As developers, we always want to build the cool features first. But we shouldn't. Learn how and why you should defer as much work as possible until you can't wait any more. How to Integrate Your App With Webhooks Using Amazon SNS https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/adding-webhooks-to-your-app-with-amazon-sns/ Integrations with external systems are never fun to implement, but they don't have to be difficult! Using a managed service like Amazon SNS makes it dirt simple to get you up and running in minutes. Dynamic Test Generation with Open API Spec 3.0 https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/dynamic-test-generation-with-oas/ Did you know you could generate tests in Postman on the fly? If you already have your API defined in OAS3.0, it's easy! Why Hackathons Drive Innovation https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/why-hackathons-drive-innovation/ Have you ever participated in a hackathon? Remember how your creativity ran wild? Why is that? Learn how to harness that creativity to innovate. Moving Toward Modern - How to Get to the Cloud as a Large Software Company https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/moving-toward-modern-as-a-large-software-company/ When it comes to agility, large software companies are at a disadvantage. It's hard to pivot a giant moving machine. So how do you start? Start small. 4 Reasons You Should NEVER Use Proof of Concepts in Production https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/4-reasons-you-should-never-use-proof-of-concepts-in-prod/ The purpose of a proof of concept is to prove out something new, not to go to production. Learn why your mini-masterpiece should never see the light of day. Micro Frontends, Role-Based Applications, and You https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/micro-frontends-role-based-applications-and-you/ Everyone has heard of microservices, but nobody talks about micro frontends. Discover how to incorporate a secure, highly iterable UI into your next app. API First Development: How to Build Consistent, Meaningful APIs with Postman https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/api-first-development-with-postman/ Whether you know it or not, you use APIs every day. They control everything we do. Discover how to join the API revolution by building strong APIs with Open API Spec and Postman. The Challenges of Stateless Architecture: How to Monitor Your Serverless Application https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-monitor-your-serverless-application/ Serverless applications are great, but they come with a variety of challenges. Discover how to manage the new difficulties of a modern application through proactive monitoring. Think Unique. Build the Right Software, Not the Easy Software https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/think-unique-build-the-right-software-not-the-easy-software/ Has anybody ever told you "we do it that way because that's how it's always been done"? It's time to stop accepting that as an answer. Learn four easy ways to shift your mindset to the "right" way instead of the "easy" way. Doing Continuous Delivery? Build A Continuous Changelog with AWS and JIRA https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/continuous-delivery-try-continuous-changelog/ How do you manage your release notes with CI/CD? With an automatic changelog of course! Take the Leap! 10 Steps to Building Your Personal Blog With AWS + Hugo https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-build-your-blog-with-aws-and-hugo/ In 2020, content is king. It has never been easier to get started with your own blog to create, publish, and promote your work. Are You Really Ready for CI/CD? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/are-you-really-ready-for-ci-cd/ Continuous deployment sounds great in theory, but there’s more behind getting a new feature in front of your customers. How to Easily Load Test Serverless Apps With Postman and AWS https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-easily-load-test-serverless-apps-with-postman-and-aws-912de7f1f7e0/ Load testing should take a couple of days, not a couple of weeks. We have the tools available at our fingertips… for free The Greenfield Paradox: Why Is Building a New App So Easy and Also So Hard? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the-greenfield-paradox-why-is-building-a-new-app-so-easy-and-also-so-hard-b3cc58552ab/ Writing a new app from scratch is easy, right? Figure out how to stop building, go to market, and start enhancing How I Built an Automated Text Messaging Ordering System In Less Than A Day https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-i-built-an-automated-text-messaging-ordering-system-in-less-than-a-day-224445f16407/ Many people are out of a job and struggling to find work. Find it yourself and build your own business in a day. I Owe My Career In Software to Running https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/i-owe-my-career-in-software-to-running-c00ac11e46a1/ When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Stop Overthinking Your Complex Solutions and Start Building Simple Ones https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/stop-overthinking-your-complex-solutions-and-start-building-simple-ones-712400ea8385/ Analysis paralysis, death by planning. No matter what you call it, you’re doing the same thing: overthinking 5 Reasons to Finally Start That Side Project You’ve Been Putting Off https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/5-reasons-to-finally-start-that-side-project-youve-been-putting-off-3970dbcc0b27/ Ideas are worthless until you get them out of your head to see what they can do 30 Things I Learned About Software Before I Turned 30 https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/30-things-i-learned-about-software-before-i-turned-30-f7c90c3068d5/ From learning every day to team building to automation to iteration How to Choose the Best Programming Language for Your New Project https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-choose-the-best-programming-language-for-your-new-project-d72b2e586aac/ Before you start something new, consider the right language for the job Itturat. Ituratte. Iterat. Iterate. Iterate. https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/itturat-ituratte-iterat-iterate-iterate-65199c4d5d53/ Iteration is the key to a successful design. Start small and make incremental improvements. Why? Good question. How to Build Both Kinds of AWS Lambda Layers. (Yes, There Are Two) https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-build-both-kinds-of-aws-lambda-layers-yes-there-are-two-edb945979f17/ Did you know that Lambdas are like ogres? They have layers. Discover how to share code across serverless functions the easy way Will Waterfall Development Ever Die? Probably Not. https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/will-waterfall-development-ever-die-probably-not-6ab4589e061/ Waterfall development has been around for a long time. Lately it’s been sneaking back into our lives with a vengeance. And that is ok. How to Migrate Your REST API to the New HTTP API in AWS https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-migrate-your-rest-api-to-the-new-http-api-in-aws-2e986c326ce0/ Discover how to move your existing API over and why you may want to wait before you do You Should Open Up That API You’ve Been Working On https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/you-should-open-up-that-api-youve-been-working-on-b0313a4df9bc/ The world needs what you’re working on — but probably in ways you didn’t foresee How I Built a Serverless Geo-Search App with DynamoDB https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-i-built-a-serverless-geo-search-app-with-dynamodb-491879233754/ And how you can too Leading From Behind: Enable Your Team By Doing Less https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/leading-from-behind-enable-your-team-by-doing-less-918a5b44d55b/ Leading is about influence. Accelerate the influence of your team by taking a back seat every now and then. 5 Steps to Making a Predictable Cost Model for AWS Serverless Projects https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/5-steps-to-making-a-predictable-cost-model-for-aws-serverless-projects-78d78909bb82/ Serverless is great. Pay for what you use. But how do you know how much you will use? Let’s try to figure it out How I Built the Best Christmas Gift Ever With Twilio, AWS, and OutSystems https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-i-built-the-best-christmas-gift-ever-with-twilio-aws-and-outsystems-6c6bc79c1c9d/ Best of all—it was less than $10 What Do You Mean, Innovate? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/what-do-you-mean-innovate-97b2a4da7bfb/ A word we see, hear, and talk about every day, but do we really know what it means? How can you innovate? New Project? Just Hardcode It https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/new-project-just-hardcode-it-bac72e1a231e/ Spending too much time building configuration nobody asked for? What about writing an extension point you’ll never use? Just hardcode it. How To Build a CI/CD Pipeline in AWS in 5 Minutes and 58 Seconds https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-build-a-ci-cd-pipeline-in-aws-in-5-minutes-and-58-seconds-4de156477042/ Yes, really. I timed it Getting Started with Mentorship. What Is It All About? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/getting-started-with-mentorship-what-is-it-all-about-ce475ff4710/ Time and time again, you hear about the benefits of mentorship. But how do you start? Who do you look for? Should you be a mentor? Let’s… Getting Started with Your Startup: Turn Your Idea Into a Reality https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/getting-started-with-your-startup-turn-your-idea-into-a-reality-e1eed506f72d/ Discover the process of user story mapping to turn your crazy startup idea into the building blocks for your product. How to Automate OAuth2 Token Renewal in Postman https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/how-to-automate-oauth2-token-renewal-in-postman-864420d381a0/ Discover how to automatically renew your OAuth2 access token in Postman so you never have to click the “Get New Access Token” button again. Serverless. You Keep Using That Word. I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/serverless-you-keep-using-that-word-i-do-not-think-it-means-what-you-think-it-means-c7d5516a5ecc/ A word that everybody has heard but most people can’t agree on exactly what it means. So You Landed Your First Programming Job — Now What? https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/so-you-landed-your-first-programming-job-now-what-9e4555a4fe87/ Starting your first job can be scary. How do you get from where you are now to where you want to go? It all starts with a little hard work. I Don’t Like the Provider Model Anymore — Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Either https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/i-dont-like-the-provider-model-anymore-here-s-why-you-shouldn-t-either-aafc1fa6fcdf/ There are some design patterns that haven’t held up to modern expectations. The Provider model is one of them 5 Steps to Building the Perfect Team for your Startup https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/5-steps-to-building-the-perfect-team-for-your-startup-63b81f19d94/ Starting a new business is hard. Finding the right people for it is even harder. Discover the way you can build your perfect team to… Design to Delight: Raising the Bar on Software Design https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/design-to-delight-raising-the-bar-on-software-design-a1eec234188b/ Don’t simply meet the expectations of today’s world. Exceed them. Come learn how to take your software to the next level as you take your… Choosing the Right Platform for Your New App https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/choosing-the-right-platform-for-your-new-app-7d7820191d3d/ Walking through the process of selecting the platform that is right for you The 5 W’s of Rapid Prototyping https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/the-5-ws-of-the-rapid-prototype-8e7614f82d29/ How to keep up with technology’s fast-paced evolution Working Backwards: My Experience with the AWS Design Strategy https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/working-backwards-my-experience-with-the-aws-design-strategy-f4bd90c87b8/ I recently participated in a Working Backwards session with AWS to discuss the potential for a new product. The product is still in its… 8 Steps to Facilitating a Captivating Retrospective https://www.readysetcloud.io/blog/allen.helton/8-steps-to-facilitating-a-captivating-retrospective-2324de487706/ A retrospective is an excellent way to bring your team together after a sprint—and to prepare them for the next one