https://tonyaldon.com2026-03-07T07:11:09+0100Tony Aldon

AI models seem to improve overnight, but progress comes from many small refinements over time.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-03-07-models-will-only-get-better/2026-03-07T04:49:32+0100

Think first, then ask AI - break down your problem, build real understanding, and make answers stick. A practical mindset for problem-solvers.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-28-think-for-yourself-before-you-ask/2026-02-28T04:47:06+0100

Learn how LLMs expose knowledge gaps, driving hands-on learning from fundamentals and original sources for deeper, more practical problem solving.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-21-learning-requires-inefficiency/2026-02-21T05:08:48+0100

Learn how I speed up Python imports with a 6-step method: find slow libraries, move imports into functions, postpone type annotation evaluation, and optimize Typer CLIs.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-17-how-to-improve-the-python-import-time-of-your-typer-cli/2026-02-18T04:55:01+0100

Learn how parametrized tests cut duplication and help GPT-5.2 generate test data for a phrasebook CLI - practical, hands-on testing tips.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-16-how-i-generated-python-test-data-with-llms/2026-02-16T04:56:09+0100

Discover how to log OpenAI API errors with full request and response using httpx event hooks, producing JSON logs for practical debugging.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-15-openai-api-and-structured-logging-in-python/2026-02-15T04:49:21+0100

Learn how I use AI chats when trust is gone, and why I stick to answers that stay clear and checkable.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-14-simple-short-and-correct/2026-02-14T06:26:23+0100

Discover how I log OpenAI API request headers and bodies on errors using a Python context manager for faster, hands-on debugging.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-13-logging-requests-when-the-openai-api-errors-in-python/2026-02-12T14:16:37+0100

Learn how I mock httpx to test OpenAI API calls with pytest + respx, including retry simulations via side_effect for practical.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-12-mocking-the-openai-api-with-respx-in-python/2026-02-12T10:27:24+0100

Learn how I set a hard max_output_tokens rule in the OpenAI Responses API, debug a 128k token bug, and fix structured output with practical steps.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-11-128k-whitespace-tokens-by-accident-debugging-the-responses-api/2026-02-11T09:50:35+0100

AI in writing already feels permanent - a quiet shift in how words are chosen, echoing Donald Knuth's dictionary-and-thesaurus workflow.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-07-tech-improvements-are-quickly-taken-for-granted/2026-02-07T03:59:56+0100

Learn how AI automation in Python can generate phrasebook translations, audio, and images—a hands-on guide to building a practical English practice dataset.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-06-i-made-a-cli-to-enrich-french-english-phrasebooks-with-ai-translations-audios-and-images/2026-02-06T09:14:53+0100

A quick mindset reset on AI tools: pick a small toolkit, cut through the noise, skip tool-hopping, and focus on what you're building.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-01-31-cut-through-the-noise/2026-01-31T03:56:49+0100

AI changes learning: use chat AI to actively frame problems, ask sharper questions, and build mental models. Less passive reading, more hands-on thinking.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-01-24-ai-killed-traditional-learning/2026-01-24T06:54:09+0100

AI chatbots can sound right while being wrong. This post compares that to human mistakes in textbooks and argues for reading, doubting, and verifying.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-01-17-sounding-right-while-being-wrong/2026-01-17T05:06:19+0100

A short essay on why chatting with AI can feel like gambling: surprise wins, "one more prompt," and a hopeful loop that looks like work.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-01-10-just-one-more-prompt/2026-01-10T03:44:13+0100

AI can get it done. But can you still do it? A short reflection on how AI shifts confidence into trust in tools—and how that change feels.

https://tonyaldon.com/2026-01-03-confidence-vs-faith/2026-01-08T14:55:58+0100

Stop outsourcing your brain. Learn practical ways to use AI for problem solving without losing the deep work of reading, learning, and real understanding.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-27-ai-can-t-read-for-you/2025-12-27T03:52:45+0100

Learn how I use AI to refine cold outreach without losing first-draft punch. Practical tips to keep it clear, direct, and catchy.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-20-my-simple-rule-for-punchy-ai-edits/2025-12-20T16:48:43+0100

Learn how to stop AI misunderstandings with clear intent and goals

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-13-know-what-you-want/2025-12-13T07:10:08+0100

Discover how a Samsung keyboard bug in Algolia Autocomplete was solved with GitHub issues and why wiring GitHub into AI assistants could transform debugging.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-09-improve-your-docs-by-giving-your-ai-assistant-the-project-issues/2025-12-13T04:41:00+0100

Discover how AI iteration can sharpen writing, speed up exploration, and refine taste-driven decisions for clear, precise content without overthinking.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-06-how-iterating-with-ai-made-my-writing-feel-right/2025-12-06T08:07:01+0100

Learn how Codex powers every OpenAI PR review, tackles complex Rust rewrites, and helps founders ship ideas fast without bloated backlogs.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-04-codex-the-relentless-teammate-reviewing-every-openai-pr/2025-12-06T04:12:13+0100

Discover how I use LLMs and Firecrawl to analyze company culture from blog posts and build a reusable workflow for selecting new companies.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-03-how-i-use-llms-and-firecrawl-to-dig-into-company-culture/2025-12-03T04:08:55+0100

Learn how I shifted from abandoned questions to quick AI conversations and started building a simple, practical "just ask AI" habit.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-11-29-did-you-ask-ai/2025-11-29T05:30:19+0100

Check out my 3 key takeaways from Zapier's 2026 AI Transformation Strategy Hangout—enthusiasm, experimentation, and accountability.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-11-22-my-3-takeaways-from-zapier-2026-ai-strategy-company-hangout/2025-11-22T04:24:18+0100

See How I turned tl;drs into meta descriptions with LLMs after Lighthouse feedback, plus my unexpected reaction.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-09-05-how-i-crafted-tldrs-with-llms-and-modernized-my-blog-part-5/2025-09-05T08:37:40+0200

See How I boosted site speed by optimizing images and fixing slow zoom with smarter caching and alt text—plus a GPT-4.1 upgrade that changed everything.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-09-04-how-i-crafted-tldrs-with-llms-and-modernized-my-blog-part-4/2025-09-05T08:37:42+0200

Discover How I added a seamless "Copy page" button to my blog for easy Markdown sharing—simple, practical, and ready for you to try!

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-09-03-how-i-crafted-tldrs-with-llms-and-modernized-my-blog-part-3/2025-09-17T05:14:20+0200

See how I teamed up with GPT-4.1 to draft my own llms.txt file, review current practices, and get valuable AI-powered feedback on my site.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-09-02-how-i-crafted-tldrs-with-llms-and-modernized-my-blog-part-2/2025-09-17T09:15:00+0200

Discover how I modernized my blog with LLM-friendly features, minimalist design, and how I prompt-tuned AI tl;drs—practical insights you can reuse!

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-09-01-how-i-crafted-tldrs-with-llms-and-modernized-my-blog-part-1/2025-09-01T16:28:23+0200

Check how I switched from Zapier automation to a Python polling script, set up Google APIs, and tackled API authentication—just for the sake of learning.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-08-12-how-i-explored-google-sheets-to-gmail-automation-through-zapier-before-building-it-in-python-part-2/2025-12-03T09:50:09+0100

See how I built my first Zapier Gmail alert from Google Sheets updates, plus hands-on tips for troubleshooting Zap errors I triggered on purpose!

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-08-07-how-i-explored-google-sheets-to-gmail-automation-through-zapier-before-building-it-in-python-part-1/2025-08-07T12:00:00+0200

Curious about automating CRM after sales calls? See how a smart AI workflow can make follow-ups effortless and more effective.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-08-06-how-i-realized-ai-automation-is-all-about-what-you-automate/2025-09-09T10:00:14+0200

See how I processed all Zapier articles from 2025, navigated token limits in OpenAI API, and used Gemini for better AI automation results.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-08-02-how-i-uncovered-zapier-best-ai-automation-articles-from-2025-with-llms-part-3/2025-08-02T12:00:00+0200

Learn how I scraped Zapier blog articles into JSON and markdown—practical tips, real errors, and workflow automation for your own projects.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-08-01-how-i-uncovered-zapier-best-ai-automation-articles-from-2025-with-llms-part-2/2025-09-09T13:36:23+0200

See how I used AI to summarize and rank the top 10 Zapier automation articles. Practical tips and hands-on curation for automating smarter!

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-07-31-how-i-uncovered-zapier-best-ai-automation-articles-from-2025-with-llms-part-1/2025-09-03T18:22:41+0200

I cut out the AI agents from a workflow I found on OpenAI Cookbook—explore my practical steps for direct OpenAI API automation.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-07-25-how-i-learned-the-openai-agents-sdk-by-breaking-down-a-stripe-workflow-from-the-openai-cookbook-part-4/2025-09-01T12:40:35+0200

Dive into AI automation logs—see how logging uncovers agent behaviors, function tools, and handoffs in real-world workflows.

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-07-23-how-i-learned-the-openai-agents-sdk-by-breaking-down-a-stripe-workflow-from-the-openai-cookbook-part-3/2025-09-09T12:39:58+0200

Learn how I experiment with the OpenAI Agents SDK and traces dashboard, tweaking a Cookbook workflow—explore hands-on AI automation with me!

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-07-21-how-i-learned-the-openai-agents-sdk-by-breaking-down-a-stripe-workflow-from-the-openai-cookbook-part-2/2025-09-09T12:28:44+0200

See how I dig into a Stripe workflow from OpenAI Cookbook using OpenAI Agents SDK—real lessons, clear steps, and practical automation tips!

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-07-18-how-i-learned-the-openai-agents-sdk-by-breaking-down-a-stripe-workflow-from-the-openai-cookbook-part-1/2025-09-09T11:42:55+0200

See how I built an AI auto-summarizer in Python, tackled OpenAI API issues, and got real-time insights with parallel processing. Dive in!

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-07-16-how-i-implemented-real-time-file-summaries-using-python-and-openai-api/2025-09-09T11:04:16+0200

Inspired by Zapier's AI roles, I'm diving into practical AI automation. Follow along for real insights, tips, and workflow solutions!

https://tonyaldon.com/2025-07-14-how-i-started-my-journey-into-ai-automation-after-a-spark-of-curiosity/2025-10-02T16:42:53+0200