Notes
Architecture notes, career reflections, and other writing.
AWS Managed RAG vs. Custom RAG
What Bedrock Knowledge Bases decide for you by default — and when the convenience of managed RAG is a trade you actually want to make.
The Engineering Behind YouTube's Bell Icon
Why the YouTube bell isn't just a notification preference — it's a load-shedding switch between fan-out-on-write and fan-out-on-read at platform scale.
The AI Hype Tax: Are We Building Real Value?
A skeptical look at the rush to add AI onto every product — the cost of hype, the MLM-like money chain, content degradation loops, and what it takes to build real value.
Document-based AI Chat Application Design
Architecture for a retrieval-augmented document chat application — admin ingestion, async embedding pipeline, and a LangGraph-orchestrated chat flow with guardrails at every stage.
Is LeetCode-Style Interviewing Still Worth It?
Why algorithmic interview questions still matter in the age of LLMs — and practical advice for engineers prepping for their next role.
Engineering Manager: Beyond the Promotion
A personal take on the engineering manager role — the real day-to-day, people over process, staying technical, and leadership lessons from Ted Lasso.