Lately, I've been an active contributor to the mobile side of the PostHog repository. While I went in to contribute code, I ended up walking away with a completely new perspective on how to build—and live.
1. Automation at Scale
As I dug into the mobile repo, I was struck by how much they prioritize automation. For anyone interested in scalability, PostHog is a goldmine.
Their Co-CEO, James Hawkins, recently talked about the "State of the Hog," where he emphasized making software feel "much more automated." Seeing this vision actually implemented in their GitHub Actions and development scripts has been a lightbulb moment.
2. The Culture is the Code
It’s not just about the .js or .swift files. I’ve been spending a significant amount of time diving into the PostHog Handbook.
If you haven't read it, it’s a masterclass in transparency and speed. It helped me realize that a system isn't just a set of scripts; it's the culture and the "how we do things" that allow those scripts to be effective in the first place.
3. "Systems for Me"
The biggest takeaway? I've started applying these lessons to my own life.
I’m now obsessed with building "systems for me." I’m looking at my personal workflows, my side projects, and even my daily habits through the lens of a PostHog engineer:
- How can I automate this?
- Where is the manual friction?
- Is this documented well enough that "future me" can understand it?
Contributing to open source isn't just about giving back to the community—it's about upgrading your own operating system.
Are you building your own personal systems? I'd love to hear how you're automating your life in the comments!
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