The Journal
Notes on models, protocols and honest bills
Working notes for people who build with language models: how agents behave, which model suits which job, and how a per-token bill is put together.
Grok 4.7 for Current Events: A Step-by-Step Guide
Build a repeatable Grok 4.7 workflow for current events with explicit dates, verified sources, careful citations, and controlled API usage.
Gemini 3.8 Flash When Speed Matters More Than Depth
A practical walkthrough for configuring, testing, and deploying Gemini 3.8 Flash when responsiveness matters more than exhaustive reasoning.
DeepSeek V4 Pro: A Mathematical Reasoning Walkthrough
A practical walkthrough for solving mathematics with DeepSeek V4 Pro, configuring reasoning, checking answers, and tracking API usage.
Gemini 3.1 Pro for Document-Heavy Work
Build a repeatable Gemini 3.1 Pro workflow for document intake, evidence extraction, cross-document analysis, validation, and cost tracking.
GPT-6.1 Sol in Practice: Strengths and Limits
A step-by-step guide to evaluating GPT-6.1 Sol for coding, tool use, reliability, latency, and real production costs.
GPT-6 Astra: A Careful Reasoning Walkthrough
A practical, step-by-step workflow for GPT-6 Astra: define goals, organize evidence, choose reasoning effort, verify results, and track costs.
Claude Code or Codex for Your Backend Service?
A practical walkthrough for comparing Claude Code and Codex on backend correctness, permissions, review effort, and total cost.
Gemini CLI and Claude Code on the Same Task
A step-by-step walkthrough for comparing Gemini CLI and Claude Code on one Python task, with isolated worktrees, shared tests, and cost tracking.
Using a Coding Agent for Database Migrations
Walk through a PostgreSQL migration with a coding agent, from schema inspection and safe batching to validation, deployment, and recovery.
Using Codex CLI for Everyday Shell Chores
Build and verify a safe cleanup script with Codex CLI, from defining the task to testing filenames, dry runs, and repeatable execution.
Reviewing Coding Agent Changes Line by Line
A practical walkthrough for reviewing coding-agent changes carefully, from diff scope to tests and follow-up notes.
Turn Long Coding Agent Sessions Into Checkpoints
A practical walkthrough for dividing coding agent work into verifiable checkpoints, preserving decisions, and resuming safely after interruptions.
A Reliable Coding Assistant Documentation Workflow
A step-by-step workflow for using coding assistants to update technical documentation accurately and safely.
Use Gemini CLI to Navigate Large Repositories
A practical walkthrough for asking Gemini CLI focused repository questions, tracing behavior across files, and checking answers against code.
Make Your Coding Agent Explain Every Diff
A practical walkthrough for getting a coding agent to explain changes, prove its claims, and expose risks before you merge.
Give a Coding Agent a Bug It Can Fix
Build an actionable bug report with a reliable reproduction, clear evidence, bounded scope, and checks that prove the fix works.
Codex in VS Code: A Careful First Setup
Configure Codex in VS Code with deliberate authentication, limited permissions, verified provider settings, and a small first task.
Debug a Failing CI Job With a Coding Agent
Follow a practical workflow to reproduce a CI failure, guide a coding agent toward the cause, and verify a focused fix.
Gemini CLI Setup With a Native-Protocol Base URL
Configure Gemini CLI with a native Gemini API relay, select API-key authentication, test routing, and troubleshoot common setup mistakes.
Write a CLAUDE.md That Changes Agent Behaviour
Build a focused CLAUDE.md with actionable rules, verified commands, scoped instructions, and repeatable tests of agent behaviour.
Run Codex CLI Through an OpenAI-Compatible Relay
Configure Codex CLI for BestRelay, protect your API key, verify Responses API compatibility, and troubleshoot your first request.
Want to try the models discussed here? Sign up