Developer Advocate, Technical Evangelist & Platform Experience Specialist.https://saifshines.dev/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/one-reason-when-not-to-choose-ai-search-9a191f94/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/one-reason-when-not-to-choose-ai-search-9a191f94/One reason when not to choose AI searchWed, 20 May 2026 15:43:10 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-spectrum-of-relevance-your-place-in-the-ai-driven-company-3a2f3489/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-spectrum-of-relevance-your-place-in-the-ai-driven-company-3a2f3489/The spectrum of relevance, your place in the AI-driven companySat, 02 May 2026 03:18:58 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/you-forget-what-it-took-to-learn-68892d71/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/you-forget-what-it-took-to-learn-68892d71/You Forget What It Took to LearnThu, 05 Mar 2026 06:06:15 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/our-central-perk-pulari-1-160-5882517f/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/our-central-perk-pulari-1-160-5882517f/Our Central Perk, Pulari 1, 160Sat, 17 Jan 2026 12:43:53 GMThttps://www.instagram.com/p/DOqF0rZkhfi/https://www.instagram.com/p/DOqF0rZkhfi/Alumni career mentorship session covering the DevRel journey, from founding advocate roles to startup life.Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://github.com/Saif-Shines/hacksmithhttps://github.com/Saif-Shines/hacksmithOpen-source CLI that triggers AI agents right from the terminal to help developers browse less and build faster. Won 3rd place at the You.com Agentic Hackathon 2025. Uses You.com search APIs to craft the right context for Claude Code.Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-ai-shortcut-0f9d2a75/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-ai-shortcut-0f9d2a75/The AI ShortcutTue, 29 Jul 2025 08:12:31 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/everyone-has-an-opinion-about-ai-here-s-mine-4d280d4b/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/everyone-has-an-opinion-about-ai-here-s-mine-4d280d4b/Everyone Has an Opinion About AI. Here’s Mine.Tue, 15 Jul 2025 05:46:25 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/your-age-is-the-missing-variable-in-every-big-decision-e571e362/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/your-age-is-the-missing-variable-in-every-big-decision-e571e362/Your age is the missing variable in every big decisionSat, 12 Jul 2025 18:09:50 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/ship-quality-proposals-without-emotional-chains-5750da63/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/ship-quality-proposals-without-emotional-chains-5750da63/Ship quality proposals without emotional chainsSat, 10 May 2025 15:26:15 GMThttps://github.com/Saif-Shines/skillshttps://github.com/Saif-Shines/skillsPublished 35 skills that teach AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot, Windsurf) to integrate Scalekit auth. Covers agent auth, SSO, SCIM, and MCP OAuth 2.1.Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/sweet-spots-where-value-meets-cost-2408e310/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/sweet-spots-where-value-meets-cost-2408e310/Sweet spots where value meets costTue, 15 Apr 2025 18:54:46 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/work/https://saifshines.dev/work/Created a comprehensive best-practices guide covering audience analysis, document structure, content types (tutorials, how-tos, references, explanations), style guidelines, and review processes for developer docs.Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://github.com/Saif-Shines/devex-kithttps://github.com/Saif-Shines/devex-kitOpen-source skills kit for professionals in the developer experience industry, including developer advocates, educators, deployed engineers, technical writers, and product marketers.Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://x.com/ReactPlayIO/status/1890255875216232782https://x.com/ReactPlayIO/status/1890255875216232782Technical talk on bringing enterprise authentication (SSO, SAML, OIDC) to React applications using Scalekit.Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/a-devrel-s-lens-for-marketing-pages-4dca92e4/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/a-devrel-s-lens-for-marketing-pages-4dca92e4/A DevRel's lens for marketing pagesSat, 11 Jan 2025 01:47:42 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-cold-start-2444c5a0/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-cold-start-2444c5a0/The cold startMon, 25 Nov 2024 17:50:33 GMThttps://github.com/Saif-Shines/locksmithhttps://github.com/Saif-Shines/locksmithBuilt an open-source CLI that helps developers integrate enterprise-grade authentication into AI applications. Supports ScaleKit, Claude Code, Gemini, and Cursor Agent. Combines guided setup with LLM-powered code generation so developers stay in flow.Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-only-bet-i-always-wanted-to-take-i-m-joining-scalekit-01f00034/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-only-bet-i-always-wanted-to-take-i-m-joining-scalekit-01f00034/The Only Bet I Always Wanted to Take: I'm Joining ScalekitSun, 29 Sep 2024 06:52:48 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/work/https://saifshines.dev/work/Comprehensive guide to managing multiple GitHub accounts with SSH keys and per-repo Git configuration, a common pain point for developers juggling personal and work projects.Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/it-s-time-i-let-go-of-my-seat-on-the-freshworks-rocketship-2ebfb301/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/it-s-time-i-let-go-of-my-seat-on-the-freshworks-rocketship-2ebfb301/It's time I let go of my seat on the Freshworks RocketshipFri, 12 Jul 2024 20:18:41 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/quarter-life-crisis-6f6bf67d/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/quarter-life-crisis-6f6bf67d/Quarter Life CrisisThu, 25 Apr 2024 14:55:07 GMThttps://blr24.devrelcon.dev/speaker/saif-ali-shaik/https://blr24.devrelcon.dev/speaker/saif-ali-shaik/Panel discussion on building developer advocacy programs from scratch, covering foundations, empathy-driven approaches, and scaling communities.Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/parents-grow-up-to-become-kids-just-not-as-curious-09883184/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/parents-grow-up-to-become-kids-just-not-as-curious-09883184/Parents grow up to become kids. Just not as curious.Thu, 22 Feb 2024 16:16:50 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/breeze-of-2023-9f7cc64a/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/breeze-of-2023-9f7cc64a/Breeze of 2023 🍃Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:39:03 GMThttps://saifshines.medium.com/developer-experience-2023-b82a5f868ea8https://saifshines.medium.com/developer-experience-2023-b82a5f868ea8Analysis of the evolving developer experience landscape, its confusion, opportunity, and shifting definitions.Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/struggle-to-be-driven-ddbda691/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/struggle-to-be-driven-ddbda691/Struggle to be drivenTue, 28 Nov 2023 01:57:16 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/over-the-years-b5741429/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/over-the-years-b5741429/Over the yearsWed, 02 Aug 2023 14:34:04 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/happy-birthday-saif-b09ccf9b/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/happy-birthday-saif-b09ccf9b/Happy Birthday, Saif!Thu, 20 Jul 2023 16:59:01 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/interning-at-udacity-at-the-expense-college-placements-342603af/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/interning-at-udacity-at-the-expense-college-placements-342603af/Interning at Udacity at the expense college placementsThu, 20 Jul 2023 16:21:20 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/work-with-joy-discovering-the-satwik-hebbar-way-a3e1a10b/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/work-with-joy-discovering-the-satwik-hebbar-way-a3e1a10b/Work with Joy: Discovering the Satwik Hebbar WayFri, 12 May 2023 16:13:58 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/comet-a-practice-for-generalist-devrel-teams-part-2-d292c665/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/comet-a-practice-for-generalist-devrel-teams-part-2-d292c665/Comet: A practice for generalist DevRel teams [Part 2]Sat, 29 Apr 2023 02:45:44 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/optimizing-devrel-for-generalists-a-new-team-practice-part-1-f0b875e7/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/optimizing-devrel-for-generalists-a-new-team-practice-part-1-f0b875e7/Optimizing DevRel for Generalists: A New Team Practice [Part 1]Fri, 21 Apr 2023 10:07:25 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/i-am-risking-a-sense-of-accomplishment-is-it-worth-it-3ac90987/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/i-am-risking-a-sense-of-accomplishment-is-it-worth-it-3ac90987/I am risking a sense of accomplishment. Is it worth it?Fri, 10 Mar 2023 16:50:04 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/looking-five-years-back-after-leading-a-developer-student-club-93fc214f/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/looking-five-years-back-after-leading-a-developer-student-club-93fc214f/Looking five years back after leading a developer student clubSun, 22 Jan 2023 16:38:24 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/2022-24ec20ab/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/2022-24ec20ab/2022Sat, 24 Dec 2022 06:22:38 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/closure-9261aab5/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/closure-9261aab5/ClosureTue, 25 Oct 2022 17:01:17 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/twenty-four-59c66a3f/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/twenty-four-59c66a3f/Twenty FourSun, 04 Sep 2022 18:52:27 GMThttps://medium.com/freshworks-developer-blog/get-certified-freshworks-developer-certification-program-ebda6a65d485https://medium.com/freshworks-developer-blog/get-certified-freshworks-developer-certification-program-ebda6a65d485Devised and launched an enablement journey for Freshworks developer partners, mapping to foundations, seasoned, and enterprise-level certifications. Certified 40 developers in 6 weeks. Upgraded the Freshworks SDK with new UX features ensuring 90%+ code coverage.Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/three-years-of-freshworks-c903fe53/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/three-years-of-freshworks-c903fe53/Three years of Freshworks'Thu, 21 Jul 2022 14:00:56 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/walking-amidst-chaos-order-c15fa42a/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/walking-amidst-chaos-order-c15fa42a/Walking amidst Chaos & OrderSun, 10 Jul 2022 18:01:28 GMThttps://world.hey.com/saif.shines/optimizing-devrel-for-generalists-a-new-team-practice-part-1-f0b875e7https://world.hey.com/saif.shines/optimizing-devrel-for-generalists-a-new-team-practice-part-1-f0b875e7Designed an operating framework for DevRel teams combining Shape Up methodology with Basecamp workflows. Published as a two-part series on HEY World covering sprint rituals, OKRs, and cross-functional alignment.Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/time-that-still-64e2c9ba/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/time-that-still-64e2c9ba/Time that StillSun, 17 Apr 2022 06:37:16 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/two-most-reasonable-roi-ideologies-for-self-improvement-8a3168b2/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/two-most-reasonable-roi-ideologies-for-self-improvement-8a3168b2/Two most reasonable ROI ideologies for Self ImprovementWed, 26 Jan 2022 08:25:58 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/work/https://saifshines.dev/work/Developed and documented a friction logging methodology for systematically identifying developer experience gaps. Applied across multiple products including Freshworks, Portkey, DevRev, Zoom, and Google Project IDX. Created reusable templates adopted across the team.Sat, 15 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/i-got-a-founder-create-a-lifetime-subscription-plan-for-me-8100c8b2/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/i-got-a-founder-create-a-lifetime-subscription-plan-for-me-8100c8b2/I got a founder create a lifetime subscription plan (for me)Sun, 26 Dec 2021 08:08:25 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-routine-d0d3b01c/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-routine-d0d3b01c/The RoutineSun, 28 Nov 2021 16:27:49 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/toxic-legalse-cx-zolo-stays-and-walnut-6e5f5ea5/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/toxic-legalse-cx-zolo-stays-and-walnut-6e5f5ea5/Toxic Legalse & CX — Zolo Stays and WalnutWed, 20 Oct 2021 15:10:12 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/i-only-knew-direction-not-destination-3666f099/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/i-only-knew-direction-not-destination-3666f099/I only knew direction, not destinationSun, 10 Oct 2021 23:33:57 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/when-i-took-my-parents-to-my-workplace-32e9ba73/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/when-i-took-my-parents-to-my-workplace-32e9ba73/When I took my parents to my workplaceSun, 29 Aug 2021 12:53:24 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/learning-from-mistakes-is-overrated-2cdf25ca/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/learning-from-mistakes-is-overrated-2cdf25ca/Learning from mistakes is overratedSat, 21 Aug 2021 03:50:12 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/independent-then-there-s-interdependence-ae23ef17/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/independent-then-there-s-interdependence-ae23ef17/Independent? Then there's Interdependence.Sun, 25 Jul 2021 17:08:11 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-curl-hand-org-culture-5bbad6ec/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-curl-hand-org-culture-5bbad6ec/The Curl-Hand Org CultureSun, 11 Jul 2021 07:00:26 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/next-phase-of-fame-30cdc534/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/next-phase-of-fame-30cdc534/Next phase of fameSun, 04 Jul 2021 07:13:39 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/be-selfish-on-what-matters-1765a1ae/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/be-selfish-on-what-matters-1765a1ae/Be selfish on what mattersSun, 13 Jun 2021 05:52:03 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-good-career-strategy-61ea2335/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-good-career-strategy-61ea2335/The good career strategySat, 15 May 2021 15:56:21 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/no-currency-to-cryptocurrency-d04fb619/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/no-currency-to-cryptocurrency-d04fb619/No currency to CryptocurrencySat, 01 May 2021 11:35:06 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/my-failed-attempt-to-bring-technology-to-schools-3a21d897/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/my-failed-attempt-to-bring-technology-to-schools-3a21d897/My failed attempt to bring technology to schoolsTue, 20 Apr 2021 12:10:54 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/be-vigilant-5018a22b/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/be-vigilant-5018a22b/Be vigilantTue, 13 Apr 2021 17:13:07 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-success-illusion-758169bf/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/the-success-illusion-758169bf/The success illusionTue, 06 Apr 2021 18:54:10 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/unrelated-suicide-and-outrage-afeaf97c/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/unrelated-suicide-and-outrage-afeaf97c/Unrelated suicide and outrageTue, 30 Mar 2021 17:06:40 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/building-meaningful-friends-for-life-9a09fe14/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/building-meaningful-friends-for-life-9a09fe14/Building meaningful friends for lifeSun, 28 Mar 2021 06:56:28 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/be-the-mentee-you-d-ever-want-b6e435fd/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/be-the-mentee-you-d-ever-want-b6e435fd/Be the Mentee you'd ever wantThu, 18 Mar 2021 16:50:53 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/graduation-speech-i-wish-i-had-given-in-2019-b9cfcb95/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/graduation-speech-i-wish-i-had-given-in-2019-b9cfcb95/Graduation speech I wish I had given in 2019Sat, 13 Mar 2021 08:28:17 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/thoughts/computers-games-and-decade-of-2005-2015-dcece7d8/https://saifshines.dev/thoughts/computers-games-and-decade-of-2005-2015-dcece7d8/Computers, Games and decade of 2005 - 2015Sat, 06 Mar 2021 17:13:12 GMThttps://saifshines.dev/work/https://saifshines.dev/work/Built Freshworks' advocacy program from scratch. The framework handled request intake from PMs and engineering, prioritized developer pain points, and fed back into content, events, and product decisions. Proposed 80+ user stories to product teams.Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://medium.com/freshworks-developer-blog/celebrate-this-hacktoberfest-with-freshworks-1c8497bfb961https://medium.com/freshworks-developer-blog/celebrate-this-hacktoberfest-with-freshworks-1c8497bfb961Attracted attention to Freshworks' open-source story via Hacktoberfest participation. Grew from 25 contributors and 43 pull requests in 2019 to 64 contributors in 2020. Authored 18 tutorials and 10 Wiki articles to scale developer enablement.Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://medium.com/freshworks-developer-blog/celebrating-the-refresh-app-challenge-2021-winners-fa9cb1c54359https://medium.com/freshworks-developer-blog/celebrating-the-refresh-app-challenge-2021-winners-fa9cb1c54359Led partnership with product marketing to design and execute the global Refresh App Challenge at Freshworks. Achieved a 29% conversion rate from 340 registrants and 100 team formations, producing 25 app submissions and launching 7 new integrations to Freshworks Marketplace within 3 months.Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://community.freshworks.devhttps://community.freshworks.devEstablished and grew the Freshworks Developer community from zero to 3500+ developers in 3 years. Managed agenda, content standards, and user experience for one developer summit, three in-person Huddles, and three virtual Huddles.Tue, 15 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://youtu.be/wTLe8nwJ_Lwhttps://youtu.be/wTLe8nwJ_LwTrained over 550 students in Android Studio through workshops. Enabled Sathyabama University to be selected as one of 185 clubs from over 2000 student clubs across the country. Developed an Android app for local tiffin shops to manage their orders.Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT