Matt Brailsford

📰 Introducing Umbraco AI Search

Matt Brailsford introduces Umbraco.AI.Search, a semantic vector search add-on for Umbraco that enhances search capabilities by understanding user intent rather than relying solely on keyword matching. This tool addresses limitations of traditional searches, supports multilingual queries, and integrates with Umbraco.Cms.Search, offering improved content discovery and related content features.

📰 File Uploads in Umbraco.AI

Matt Brailsford discusses the new file upload feature in Umbraco.AI, allowing users to drag and drop documents into Copilot. The system supports various file types, enabling text extraction from Office documents and direct processing of images and PDFs. The extensible architecture allows for additional file formats to be integrated seamlessly.

📰 Why Umbraco 17.4.0 Is a Big Deal for AI

Matt Brailsford discusses the significance of Umbraco's 17.4.0 release, which introduces JSON Schema support to the Management API. This enhancement allows AI to understand data structures accurately, transforming content creation and editing by eliminating guesswork. The update promises to improve integrations and facilitate intelligent content workflows across Umbraco.

📰 Umbraco AI Prompts: Template Syntax and Variables

Matt Brailsford discusses the Umbraco.AI.Prompt package, detailing how content editors can utilize prompt templates for AI-generated tasks like SEO titles and alt text. He explains the syntax, available variables, and the importance of using the image: prefix for image prompts, alongside practical examples and tips for maximizing AI capabilities.

📰 Understanding Contexts in Umbraco AI

Matt Brailsford discusses the concept of contexts in Umbraco AI, which serve as reusable containers of knowledge that enhance AI output by providing essential background information. Contexts can include various resource types, such as Brand Voice and Text, and can be assigned at multiple levels, improving the relevance and quality of generated content.

📰 The Umbraco AI Kitchen Sink Install

Matt Brailsford introduces a streamlined installation script for Umbraco AI, simplifying the setup process by automatically installing necessary packages and seed data. This allows users to quickly create a functional demo site, explore features, and customize AI integrations without extensive configuration, enhancing accessibility for new users.

📰 Replacing My Custom Git Worktree Skill with Claude Code Hooks

Matt Brailsford discusses transitioning from a custom Claude Code skill for managing git worktrees to utilizing Claude Code's native worktree support. He highlights the benefits of using hooks for customization, allowing for gitflow branch naming and essential file copying, while simplifying code maintenance and enhancing session management.

📰 Introducing Umbraco AI

Matt Brailsford introduces Umbraco AI, a provider-agnostic AI integration layer for Umbraco CMS, allowing seamless connections to multiple AI services through a unified API. It features a flexible architecture with customizable profiles, contexts, and capabilities, promoting community-driven extensions and open-source collaboration. Future enhancements include automation and improved RAG support.

📰 Solving Port Conflicts in AI-Assisted Development: HTTP over Named Pipes

Matt Brailsford discusses how AI coding assistants have transformed his workflow, particularly through the use of git worktrees for parallel development. He addresses the "Port Discovery Problem" when multiple demo sites need to run simultaneously, proposing a solution using named pipes for local communication, enhancing reliability and simplifying tooling.

📰 SPECKL: Testing a Human-First Approach to AI-Assisted Development

Matt Brailsford discusses his upcoming talk on Spec-Driven Development (SDD) and explores the collaborative potential of AI in software development through his SPECKL Manifesto. SPECKL emphasizes structured specifications to guide AI assistance, balancing control and automation. Matt invites feedback and experimentation with this approach as a transitional tool in AI-assisted development.

📰 UMB.FYI Celebrates it's 2nd Birthday with a Pulse Check

Matt Brailsford reflects on the two-year journey of UMB.FYI, which has evolved from a weekly digest into a comprehensive record of the Umbraco community's developments. Matt celebrates the milestone with the release of the UMB.FYI Pulse Check, a year-in-data snapshot of the Umbraco community’s heartbeat.

📰 UMB.FYI Gets a New Workflow Engine

Matt Brailsford developed a workflow engine to automate repetitive tasks in producing the UMB.FYI newsletter, enhancing efficiency and reliability. The engine, built in C#, streamlines data collection, validation, and content enhancement, allowing for a more enjoyable editing process. Future improvements aim to refine detection and summarization tasks.

📰 UMB.FYI Celebrates it's 100th Issue

Matt Brailsford celebrates the 100th issue of UMB.FYI, a newsletter that aggregates Umbraco news, now reaching over 700 subscribers. The newsletter has featured 2,128 items, showcasing the vibrant Umbraco community. Future plans include automating processes and potentially creating a dashboard for users. Matt expresses gratitude for community support and feedback.

📰 Building an MCP Server for Umbraco Commerce

Building on Phil Whittaker and Matt Wise’s MCP integration at Codegarden, which supercharged Umbraco’s AI capabilities, Matt Brailsford unveils an Umbraco Commerce proof-of-concept: a conversational store-management assistant delivering actionable insights and analytics—and inviting the community’s feedback to shape what comes next.

📰 How I Saved 5GB of Storage Per Year for UMB.FYI

Matt Brailsford discusses how he reduced the HTML size of the UMB.FYI newsletter from 215KB to 57KB by eliminating global styles and unnecessary markup. This optimization not only prevented Gmail from clipping emails but also saved 5.6GB of storage annually, promoting more sustainable digital practices.

📰 UMB.FYI Gets an iOS Tip Shortcut

UMB.FYI emphasizes community engagement by allowing members to submit Umbraco-related content easily through various integrations. The latest addition is an iOS Shortcut that enables users to share links directly from their devices. This feature enhances content curation while ensuring user privacy, fostering a richer community resource.

📰 ND & Me: Running in Emulation

Matt Brailsford recounts his journey of self-discovery regarding neurodivergence, sparked by a conversation about introversion at Codegarden 2016. After a formal diagnosis of Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia, he emphasizes the importance of community, support, and advocacy for neurodivergent individuals, proposing a virtual peer support group within the Umbraco community.

💬 Umbraco Commerce v15 performance improvements

📰 Getting Started on Bluesky for Umbraco Developers

Bluesky is emerging as a dynamic platform for the Umbraco community, offering opportunities for connection and content discovery. Dean Leigh's Starter Pack and Rick Butterfield's custom feed enhance user experience, while the Umbraco Bluesky Labeler and UMB.FYI bot facilitate engagement. Join Bluesky to connect with fellow Umbraco enthusiasts.

📰 Introducing the Umbraco Bluesky Labeler

The recent surge in Bluesky users has inspired community initiatives utilizing its open API, such as the Umbraco Bluesky Labeler, created to highlight key community members like Umbraco HQ and MVPs. This opt-in feature allows users to connect more easily, fostering engagement within the community.