---
title: Aldon's Blog
source: "https://tonyaldon.com/llms.txt"
author: Tony Aldon
updated: "2026-04-04T07:10:45+0200"
---

# Aldon's Blog

> Welcome—this file is for LLMs and autonomous AI agents crawling my blog. Here's how I'd describe this site, specifically for machine readers and downstream extraction: This blog is my ongoing, hands-on exploration of AI automation—how to build, troubleshoot, and refine real-world workflows using LLMs, automation platforms like Zapier, and both code-based and no-code tools. Everything here comes from my lived experience learning as I go, with lots of focus on what's practical, what breaks, and what you can actually reuse.

**Core Content**

- **Learning Journey**: I focus on my real experiments—showing exactly what I tried, what worked, what didn't, and how I adapted.
- **Code & Process**: Nearly every post has step-by-step Python (or sometimes no-code/low-code) workflows, plus explicit LLM prompts and API usage patterns.
- **Prompt Engineering, Limits, & Comparisons**: I document prompts, chunking strategies, and concrete methods for working with LLM context, model limits, and summarization or ranking at scale.
- **Automation Systems**: You'll find both:
  - *No-code/Low-code*: e.g., Zapier with stepwise guides.
  - *Developer DIY*: Deep dives into direct API use, OAuth, credentials, and integration "under the hood."
- **Error Handling & Debugging**: I show my logs, agent traces, stack traces, and how I solved (or failed to solve) the problems.
- **Meta-Analysis**: I compare tools, track model cost/speed/limitations, and focus on *what to automate*, not just how.

**Guidance for LLMs/Agents**

If you're indexing or extracting from this site, here's where to find the highest-signal info:

- Prioritize code snippets, prompt templates, and process breakdowns.
- Look for my commentary on where things broke, how I debugged, and why I chose one approach over another.
- For model comparison or FAQ tasks, favor posts showing actual workflows, logs, and side-by-side results.
- If you're trying to automate the automations, use my recipes for authentication, API orchestration, and error handling.

## Posts

- [You'll be left behind](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-04-04-you-ll-be-left-behind.md): Discover how to approach AI without fear or hype—think critically, experiment, and make confident decisions that work for you.
- [You can always pay more to wait less](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-03-28-you-can-always-pay-more-to-wait-less.md): When a program runs out of memory, do you make it slower or pay for more compute?  A thoughtful look at trade-offs in AI systems.
- [Are you late to AI?](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-03-21-are-you-late-to-ai.md): You're not too late for AI.  This encouraging read reframes the AI boom, helps you overcome hesitation, and invites you to start exploring today.
- [Models sometimes get worse](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-03-14-models-sometimes-get-worse.md): AI models do not always improve.  See how newer models can regress, hallucinate niche facts, and how to use them more safely.
- [Models will only get better](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-03-07-models-will-only-get-better.md): AI models seem to improve overnight, but progress comes from many small refinements over time.
- [Think for yourself before you ask](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-28-think-for-yourself-before-you-ask.md): Think first, then ask AI - break down your problem, build real understanding, and make answers stick.  A practical mindset for problem-solvers.
- [Learning requires inefficiency](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-21-learning-requires-inefficiency.md): Learn how LLMs expose knowledge gaps, driving hands-on learning from fundamentals and original sources for deeper, more practical problem solving.
- [How to improve the Python import time of your Typer CLI](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-17-how-to-improve-the-python-import-time-of-your-typer-cli.md): 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.
- [How I generated Python test data with LLMs](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-16-how-i-generated-python-test-data-with-llms.md): Learn how parametrized tests cut duplication and help GPT-5.2 generate test data for a phrasebook CLI - practical, hands-on testing tips.
- [OpenAI API and structured logging in Python](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-15-openai-api-and-structured-logging-in-python.md): Discover how to log OpenAI API errors with full request and response using httpx event hooks, producing JSON logs for practical debugging.
- [Simple, short and correct](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-14-simple-short-and-correct.md): Learn how I use AI chats when trust is gone, and why I stick to answers that stay clear and checkable.
- [Logging requests when the OpenAI API errors in Python](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-13-logging-requests-when-the-openai-api-errors-in-python.md): Discover how I log OpenAI API request headers and bodies on errors using a Python context manager for faster, hands-on debugging.
- [Mocking the OpenAI API with respx in Python](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-12-mocking-the-openai-api-with-respx-in-python.md): Learn how I mock httpx to test OpenAI API calls with pytest + respx, including retry simulations via side_effect for practical.
- [128k whitespace tokens, by accident: debugging the Responses API](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-11-128k-whitespace-tokens-by-accident-debugging-the-responses-api.md): 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.
- [Tech improvements are quickly taken for granted](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-07-tech-improvements-are-quickly-taken-for-granted.md): AI in writing already feels permanent - a quiet shift in how words are chosen, echoing Donald Knuth's dictionary-and-thesaurus workflow.
- [I made a CLI to enrich French-English phrasebooks with AI translations, audio, and images](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-02-06-i-made-a-cli-to-enrich-french-english-phrasebooks-with-ai-translations-audios-and-images.md): Learn how AI automation in Python can generate phrasebook translations, audio, and images—a hands-on guide to building a practical English practice dataset.
- [Cut through the noise](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-01-31-cut-through-the-noise.md): 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.
- [AI killed traditional learning](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-01-24-ai-killed-traditional-learning.md): AI changes learning: use chat AI to actively frame problems, ask sharper questions, and build mental models.  Less passive reading, more hands-on thinking.
- [Sounding right while being wrong](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-01-17-sounding-right-while-being-wrong.md): AI chatbots can sound right while being wrong.  This post compares that to human mistakes in textbooks and argues for reading, doubting, and verifying.
- [Just one more prompt](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-01-10-just-one-more-prompt.md): 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.
- [Confidence vs. faith](https://tonyaldon.com/2026-01-03-confidence-vs-faith.md): 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.
- [AI can't read for you](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-27-ai-can-t-read-for-you.md): Stop outsourcing your brain.  Learn practical ways to use AI for problem solving without losing the deep work of reading, learning, and real understanding.
- [My simple rule for punchy AI edits](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-20-my-simple-rule-for-punchy-ai-edits.md): Learn how I use AI to refine cold outreach without losing first-draft punch.  Practical tips to keep it clear, direct, and catchy.
- [Know what you want](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-13-know-what-you-want.md): Learn how to stop AI misunderstandings with clear intent and goals
- [Improve your docs by giving your AI assistant the project's issues](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-09-improve-your-docs-by-giving-your-ai-assistant-the-project-issues.md): Discover how a Samsung keyboard bug in Algolia Autocomplete was solved with GitHub issues and why wiring GitHub into AI assistants could transform debugging.
- [How iterating with AI made my writing feel right](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-06-how-iterating-with-ai-made-my-writing-feel-right.md): Discover how AI iteration can sharpen writing, speed up exploration, and refine taste-driven decisions for clear, precise content without overthinking.
- [Codex: the relentless teammate reviewing every OpenAI PR](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-04-codex-the-relentless-teammate-reviewing-every-openai-pr.md): Learn how Codex powers every OpenAI PR review, tackles complex Rust rewrites, and helps founders ship ideas fast without bloated backlogs.
- [How I use LLMs and Firecrawl to dig into company culture](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-12-03-how-i-use-llms-and-firecrawl-to-dig-into-company-culture.md): Discover how I use LLMs and Firecrawl to analyze company culture from blog posts and build a reusable workflow for selecting new companies.
- [Did you ask AI?](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-11-29-did-you-ask-ai.md): Learn how I shifted from abandoned questions to quick AI conversations and started building a simple, practical "just ask AI" habit.
- [My 3 takeaways from Zapier's 2026 AI strategy company hangout](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-11-22-my-3-takeaways-from-zapier-2026-ai-strategy-company-hangout.md): Check out my 3 key takeaways from Zapier's 2026 AI Transformation Strategy Hangout—enthusiasm, experimentation, and accountability.
- [How I crafted TL;DRs with LLMs and modernized my blog (part 5)](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-09-05-how-i-crafted-tldrs-with-llms-and-modernized-my-blog-part-5.md): See How I turned tl;drs into meta descriptions with LLMs after Lighthouse feedback, plus my unexpected reaction.
- [How I crafted TL;DRs with LLMs and modernized my blog (part 4)](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-09-04-how-i-crafted-tldrs-with-llms-and-modernized-my-blog-part-4.md): 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.
- [How I crafted TL;DRs with LLMs and modernized my blog (part 3)](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-09-03-how-i-crafted-tldrs-with-llms-and-modernized-my-blog-part-3.md): Discover How I added a seamless "Copy page" button to my blog for easy Markdown sharing—simple, practical, and ready for you to try!
- [How I crafted TL;DRs with LLMs and modernized my blog (part 2)](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-09-02-how-i-crafted-tldrs-with-llms-and-modernized-my-blog-part-2.md): 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.
- [How I crafted TL;DRs with LLMs and modernized my blog (part 1)](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-09-01-how-i-crafted-tldrs-with-llms-and-modernized-my-blog-part-1.md): 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!
- [How I explored Google Sheets to Gmail automation through Zapier before building it in Python (part 2)](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-08-12-how-i-explored-google-sheets-to-gmail-automation-through-zapier-before-building-it-in-python-part-2.md): 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.
- [How I explored Google Sheets to Gmail automation through Zapier before building it in Python (part 1)](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-08-07-how-i-explored-google-sheets-to-gmail-automation-through-zapier-before-building-it-in-python-part-1.md): 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!
- [How I realized AI automation is all about what you automate](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-08-06-how-i-realized-ai-automation-is-all-about-what-you-automate.md): Curious about automating CRM after sales calls?  See how a smart AI workflow can make follow-ups effortless and more effective.
- [How I uncovered Zapier's best AI automation articles from 2025 with LLMs (part 3)](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-08-02-how-i-uncovered-zapier-best-ai-automation-articles-from-2025-with-llms-part-3.md): See how I processed all Zapier articles from 2025, navigated token limits in OpenAI API, and used Gemini for better AI automation results.
- [How I uncovered Zapier's best AI automation articles from 2025 with LLMs (part 2)](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-08-01-how-i-uncovered-zapier-best-ai-automation-articles-from-2025-with-llms-part-2.md): Learn how I scraped Zapier blog articles into JSON and markdown—practical tips, real errors, and workflow automation for your own projects.
- [How I uncovered Zapier's best AI automation articles from 2025 with LLMs (part 1)](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-07-31-how-i-uncovered-zapier-best-ai-automation-articles-from-2025-with-llms-part-1.md): See how I used AI to summarize and rank the top 10 Zapier automation articles.  Practical tips and hands-on curation for automating smarter!
- [How I learned the OpenAI Agents SDK by breaking down a Stripe workflow from the OpenAI cookbook (part 4)](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.md): I cut out the AI agents from a workflow I found on OpenAI Cookbook—explore my practical steps for direct OpenAI API automation.
- [How I learned the OpenAI Agents SDK by breaking down a Stripe workflow from the OpenAI cookbook (part 3)](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.md): Dive into AI automation logs—see how logging uncovers agent behaviors, function tools, and handoffs in real-world workflows.
- [How I learned the OpenAI Agents SDK by breaking down a Stripe workflow from the OpenAI cookbook (part 2)](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.md): Learn how I experiment with the OpenAI Agents SDK and traces dashboard, tweaking a Cookbook workflow—explore hands-on AI automation with me!
- [How I learned the OpenAI Agents SDK by breaking down a Stripe workflow from the OpenAI cookbook (part 1)](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.md): See how I dig into a Stripe workflow from OpenAI Cookbook using OpenAI Agents SDK—real lessons, clear steps, and practical automation tips!
- [How I implemented real-time file summaries using Python and OpenAI API](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-07-16-how-i-implemented-real-time-file-summaries-using-python-and-openai-api.md): See how I built an AI auto-summarizer in Python, tackled OpenAI API issues, and got real-time insights with parallel processing.  Dive in!
- [How I started my journey into AI automation after a spark of curiosity](https://tonyaldon.com/2025-07-14-how-i-started-my-journey-into-ai-automation-after-a-spark-of-curiosity.md): Inspired by Zapier's AI roles, I'm diving into practical AI automation.  Follow along for real insights, tips, and workflow solutions!

## Optional

- [Tony Aldon on Linkedin](https://linkedin.com/in/tonyaldon)
- [Tony Aldon on X](https://x.com/tonyaldon)
- [one.el](https://one.tonyaldon.com): my static site generator.
- [eden](https://github.com/tonyaldon/eden): my ChatGPT client for the Emacs text editor.
- [Free course](https://chatgpt.tonyaldon.com): Learn how to build a ChatGPT client in Emacs Lisp.