Best of The New Stack — July 2025

  1. 1
    Article
    Avatar of newstackThe New Stack·46w

    Build Your Own Private Cloud at Home With Docker

    Docker containers can transform your home network into a private cloud alternative to third-party services. Key applications include Nextcloud for file storage and office suite functionality, Grocy for household management and meal planning, Tududi for task management with Telegram integration, Bitwarden for password management, and Portainer for container management through a web interface. These self-hosted solutions provide greater control, security, and privacy compared to cloud-based alternatives.

  2. 2
    Article
    Avatar of newstackThe New Stack·43w

    Software Architecture Is Finally Fixing Its Biggest Problem: Developer Experience

    Software architecture should be treated as a product rather than a monument, focusing on developer experience and real-world outcomes. Successful architectures serve multiple users beyond engineering teams, including product managers, designers, and business stakeholders. The key is measuring architectural success through developer productivity metrics like deployment lead time and cross-team dependencies, while building roadmaps that align with business goals and reduce cognitive load for teams.

  3. 3
    Article
    Avatar of newstackThe New Stack·46w

    How (Human) Developers Should Upskill in the AI Era

    Developers must adapt their skills for an AI-driven future by focusing on agent orchestration, business process understanding, and systems thinking rather than traditional coding. The new full-stack development includes technical depth, business acumen, and data science capabilities. Key areas for upskilling include building AI agent workflows, understanding business domains, and managing non-deterministic AI systems with proper evaluation and governance.

  4. 4
    Article
    Avatar of newstackThe New Stack·45w

    How to Write Rust Code Like a Rustacean

    A comprehensive guide to writing idiomatic Rust code, covering essential concepts like Option and Result types, iterators, pattern matching, and crates. The tutorial demonstrates practical examples including a command-line calculator, explains common beginner mistakes like ownership errors and lifetime confusion, and provides solutions for each issue. It emphasizes Rust's safety features, testing capabilities, and best practices for building robust applications.

  5. 5
    Article
    Avatar of newstackThe New Stack·44w

    No Code Is Dead

    Industry experts debate whether AI-powered "vibe coding" is killing traditional no-code platforms. While some argue that generative AI eliminates the need for drag-and-drop development tools, others believe AI will enhance visual development rather than replace it. Key concerns include technical debt from AI-generated code, the "orphan code" problem where non-technical users can't maintain what they create, and the need for enterprise governance. Leading platforms are integrating AI capabilities while maintaining visual interfaces and built-in security controls, suggesting a hybrid future rather than complete replacement.

  6. 6
    Article
    Avatar of newstackThe New Stack·45w

    Why React Is No Longer the Undisputed Champion of JavaScript

    React's dominance in frontend development is being challenged by modern browsers, HTML-first frameworks, and developer preferences for simpler solutions. While React remains popular, alternatives like Astro, HTMX, and native DOM APIs are gaining traction by offering lighter, faster approaches. React Server Components represent React's attempt to adapt, but add complexity. The shift represents a move from React-by-default to choosing the right tool for each project, marking a post-React era of diversified frontend tooling.

  7. 7
    Article
    Avatar of newstackThe New Stack·44w

    Kubernetes Finally Solves Its Biggest Problem: Managing Databases

    Kubernetes operators have finally solved the challenge of managing stateful workloads like databases by extending the reconciliation loop pattern to stateful resources. The article demonstrates how CloudNativePG and Atlas operators enable declarative PostgreSQL cluster management and schema migrations on Kubernetes, eliminating the need for manual scripts and bringing database operations into GitOps workflows. This approach transforms database management from imperative, error-prone processes into autonomous, self-healing systems that maintain desired state continuously.

  8. 8
    Article
    Avatar of newstackThe New Stack·45w

    Context Engineering: Going Beyond Prompt Engineering and RAG

    Context engineering is a comprehensive approach to LLM development that goes beyond simple prompt crafting. It involves designing dynamic systems that manage everything an LLM sees before generating responses - including system instructions, conversation history, retrieved documents, tool outputs, and guardrails. Unlike prompt engineering which focuses on crafting individual queries, context engineering treats the entire context window as a curated information environment. It encompasses RAG as one component while addressing broader challenges like token budget management, information positioning, and maintaining consistency across varied inputs. This systematic approach transforms LLMs from basic chatbots into autonomous agents capable of complex reasoning and decision-making.

  9. 9
    Article
    Avatar of newstackThe New Stack·44w

    Web Dev Kent Dodds on Remix and His Frontend Secret Weapon

    Kent Dodds, co-founder of Remix framework, discusses his current tech stack choices and recommendations. He still advocates for Remix (now React Router 7) for web applications, continues using Node.js over newer alternatives like Deno or Bun, and highlights MSW (Mock Service Worker) as his secret weapon for API mocking during development. Dodds explains his hosting preferences, favoring Fly.io for dynamic sites, and promotes his Epic Stack as a comprehensive starter template that reflects his latest development practices.

  10. 10
    Article
    Avatar of newstackThe New Stack·44w

    What Makes GNOME So Appealing?

    GNOME desktop environment offers a minimalist yet efficient workflow that prioritizes user productivity over visual complexity. The desktop features workspaces, application overview, and a dash instead of traditional menus and panels. While initially controversial for its departure from conventional desktop paradigms, GNOME has evolved into a stable, fast platform that can be extended through numerous extensions. The environment automatically manages workspaces, provides unified search functionality, and maintains rock-solid performance in modern versions.

See all The New Stack archives