Hi there 👋

My name is Maksim Zhirnov. I’m a Growth Marketing Expert & MarTech Engineer. I help tech companies scale through data-driven marketing strategies, powered by my engineering background. I love building marketing systems that drive growth and sharing insights on the intersection of technology and customer acquisition.
Next-gen code search: combining grep, LSP, and AI models

Next-gen code search: combining grep, LSP, and AI models

Introduction In the ever-evolving world of software development, finding the right piece of code can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Traditional methods such as grep have served us well, but they’re not without their limitations. Enter next-generation code search tools that combine the power of grep, Language Server Protocols (LSP), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) models. In this article, we’ll explore how these technologies work together to make code search more efficient and effective....

March 13, 2026 · 4 min · 738 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Prompt Engineering Is the New Copy-Paste from Stack Overflow

Prompt Engineering Is the New Copy-Paste from Stack Overflow

Introduction In the ever-evolving landscape of software development, there’s a new kid on the block that’s quickly gaining popularity: prompt engineering. It’s not just a buzzword; it’s a game-changer. But what exactly is prompt engineering, and why is it being hailed as the successor to the age-old practice of copy-pasting code from Stack Overflow? Let’s dive in and explore this exciting new frontier. What is Prompt Engineering? Prompt engineering is the art and science of crafting precise instructions (or “prompts”) for AI systems to generate desired outputs....

March 9, 2026 · 4 min · 783 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Configuration management across environments without drowning in YAML

Configuration management across environments without drowning in YAML

Configuration management across environments without drowning in YAML Managing configurations across different environments can be a daunting task, especially when dealing with YAML files. In this article, we’ll explore some strategies and tools to help you keep your configurations organized and manageable. The YAML conundrum YAML is a popular format for configuration files due to its readability and simplicity. However, as your project grows, so does the complexity of your YAML files....

March 6, 2026 · 3 min · 490 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Why Style Guides Cause More Arguments Than They Solve Bugs

Why Style Guides Cause More Arguments Than They Solve Bugs

Introduction Style guides are like the unsung heroes (or villains, depending on who you ask) of the software development world. They’re meant to bring order to the chaos of coding, ensuring that everyone on a team is on the same page. But more often than not, they seem to cause more arguments than they solve bugs. In this article, we’ll dive deep into why style guides can be a double-edged sword and explore some strategies for making them more effective....

March 2, 2026 · 4 min · 679 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Backup Strategies That You Actually Test and Trust

Backup Strategies That You Actually Test and Trust

Introduction In the digital age, data is the lifeblood of any organization or individual. Losing critical data can be devastating, whether due to hardware failure, cyberattacks, or human error. That’s why having a robust backup strategy is not just a best practice but a necessity. In this article, we’ll explore various backup strategies that you can trust and actually test to ensure your data’s safety. Why Backups Matter Imagine losing years of work in an instant....

February 27, 2026 · 4 min · 647 words · Maxim Zhirnov