alokmishra

APIs, MCP, and Skills for Agent Tool Use

When I started going deeper into agent design, I thought the hard problems would be memory, reasoning, and model choice. They were not …the first real design problem was much more practical – How should the agent use tools, and how do I keep that simple, extensible, and not full of slop? I…More

AI-Led Engineering Part 2: Design Shifts Left

In our previous post, we explored how AI is changing the engineering delivery model from months to days. We looked at the compression of traditional SDLC phases and the emergence of prompt-based development. Now we turn to what this means for design — and why the classic research-diverge-converge-handoff model is becoming a liability. The traditional…More

Integration Patterns 2026: Data Integration + Messaging (Bulk, Delta, Notifications)

I started the year using Gemini Pro to take our integration patterns and covert them into “playing card” style pattern library so that we can print and play! The content is mine, I used AI to generate the images with still a few issues with image text – oh well, maybe something to refine…More

Integration Patterns 2026: Asynchronous Bulk Read (Polling, Events, Shared Locations)

I started the year using Gemini Pro to take our integration patterns and covert them into “playing card” style pattern library so that we can print and play! The content is mine, I used AI to generate the images with still a few issues with image text – oh well, maybe something to refine…More

Integration Patterns 2026: Query Patterns (Consistency vs Availability)

I started the year using Gemini Pro to take our integration patterns and covert them into “playing card” style pattern library so that we can print and play! The content is mine, I used AI to generate the images with still a few issues with image text – oh well, maybe something to refine…More

Integration Patterns 2026: Command Patterns (Writes, Idempotency, Consistency)

I started the year using Gemini Pro to take our integration patterns and covert them into “playing card” style pattern library so that we can print and play! The content is mine, I used AI to generate the images with still a few issues with image text – oh well, maybe something to refine…More

Episodic Memory Patterns for Enterprise Agents

Most enterprise AI systems today still run on chunks. Paragraph boundaries. Token limits. Random slices of logs. That works for search. It starts to wobble when you ask an agent to reason about a journey that unfolded over time: a claim, an incident, a migration, an integration change. So this post…More

A 2026 Memory Stack for Enterprise Agents

In my previous post on LLM memory evolution through 2024-2025 we saw the shift from prompting to context engineering and use of techniques such as RAG, GraphRAG etc. Now lets examine this use case for memory when building more complex flows with LLMs to do a series of steps in an “agentic flow”…More

From Prompting and Context Engineering to Memory Architecture

Over the last couple of years we observed that Large Langeuage Model (LLM) usage also known as “GenAI”, did not just stop at prompt engineering. We moved through context engineering by providing prompts and other information as context to get better and more accurate one shot answers and then in Software Engineering we…More

The Evolution of AI-Led Engineering: From Auto-Complete to Spec-Driven Development

AI is reshaping our software engineering practice in successive waves, it started with auto completion and predictive text, we the drove into prompt engineering, and more recently into context engineering, and is now we are evolving/narrowing towards spec-driven development to create new software and understand and modernise legacy software with greater accuracy, speed and…More

Beyond CRUD: Choosing the Right API Style

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Introduction</h2> Most engineers begin their API journey with CRUD. It teaches how to expose resources, wire endpoints, and push data in and out. But in production systems, APIs do more than shuttle JSON: they enforce contracts, define system boundaries, and dictate performance envelopes. The style and protocol you choose for an API ripple…More

We have worked with Integration and Data platform owners and are observing their needs converge as business owners are looking beyond the initial integration usecase to more real-time business analytics and insights to respond to the market pressures, customer needs, risks and compliance imperatives faster It is with this need we…More

Java Tools and Tips

Here is the latest in Java tools and libraries we have been haing through 2024 and into 2025. JaCoCo and Gatling have been staple as we continue to shift left with QA, we are yet to do Mutation testing in anger Tools: Architecture: ArchUnit: A library for checking…More

Streaming Design Patterns

In the previous post, we compared streaming, messaging, and orchestration, delineating their distinct roles and applications in modern data architecture. Building on that foundation, this post zeroes in on streaming and its design patterns. Streaming, a critical component in handling real-time data, is not a monolith; it encompasses various design patterns each suited for…More

Understanding Streaming Concepts for Microservices

The evolution of data processing in microservices architecture has brought to the forefront three pivotal concepts: streaming, messaging, and orchestration. Each plays a unique role in the way modern applications handle data and interactions. This post is dedicated to demystifying these concepts, offering insights into their functionalities and applicabilities As microservices continue to…More

10 Lessons from Building a Full-Stack SaaS Product: It was fun!

I have always been passionate about rapidly solving problems for businesses, so when I learned of the challenges my friend’s business was facing due software constraints, I was inspired – especially since I was on holidays I had 2-weeks of break during my 1.5 month long vacation where socialising and travel would be…More

Kubernetes vs. Serverless: Choosing the Right Architecture

As we journey through our comprehensive series on Kubernetes, we’ve explored its foundational aspects, intricate design patterns, and its pivotal role in the realm of containerization Now, as we approach the final chapter of our series, we turn our attention to a critical comparison – Kubernetes versus Serverless computing. This exploration is key…More

Mastering Containerization: Kubernetes at the Forefront

As we continue our exploratory series on Kubernetes and its pivotal role in shaping microservices, we’ve covered its foundational aspects and essential design patterns. Now, we delve into the details of containerization – the very heart of Kubernetes. This post will illuminate how Kubernetes is not just facilitating but mastering the art…More

Kubernetes for Developers: Streamlining Microservices Deployment

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Introduction</h3> In our ongoing series exploring the pivotal role of Kubernetes in microservices, we have unearthed its foundational significance and delved into the essential design patterns. Continuing this journey, we now turn our focus to developers. This post is crafted for developers aiming to streamline their workflow in the microservices domain.…More

Design Patterns in Kubernetes: Blueprint for Robust Microservices

<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Introduction</h4> In the previous post we introduced Kubernetes and containerization for microservices. In the world of microservices, Kubernetes emerges not only as a platform but as a harbinger of design patterns that revolutionize how we build, deploy, and scale applications. In the second post of the series, we talk about Kubernetes Design patterns…More

Unraveling Kubernetes: The Gateway to Efficient Microservices

Kubernetes, often hailed as the cornerstone of modern microservices architecture, stands as a beacon of efficiency and scalability in the ever-evolving landscape of software development. In a series of posts I will be describing key concepts and comparing with other technologies for microservice engineers The posts will cover <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Introduction</h2> In this…More

Is Your Software Release Strategy Up to Date? Feature Toggling vs Direct Release

Feature toggling is a dynamic method to manage software features, allowing developers to turn features on or off without deploying new code. This technique provides flexibility in controlling the availability of features in your application, especially useful in a continuous delivery environment. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Use Feature Toggling?</h2> Feature toggles offer several benefits: <h3…More

Choosing the Right Architecture: Comparing Serverless, Containers, and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for Microservices Applications

As 2023 draws to a close, the world of Microservices continues to evolve rapidly, bringing with it an array of buzzwords and technologies that are as fascinating as they are complex. You’ve likely encountered terms like ‘Serverless’, dabbled in the dynamic world of Containers, and casually mentioned ‘K8s’ and ‘Container Registry’ in tech discussions.…More

Quality Distributed Solution Architecture: Part 3 – Techniques for Early Validation of Architecture and Design

In our previous 2 posts we looked at the current state of solution architecture and design, especially how there is no validation against real data until it hits production. In this post, we explore various techniques to validate architecture and design beyond thought experiments and architecture councils. Implementing these techniques early in…More

Quality Distributed Solution Architecture: Part 2 – Cost of poor Architecture and Design

In our previous post, we delved into the pitfalls of static solution architecture and how it leads to inadequate quality checks until a solution is put into production. In this post, we shift our focus to analyzing the cost and implications of such an approach. The impact of static solution architecture varies with the…More

Quality Distributed Solution Architecture: Part 1 – Static and Untested Architecture drives Outcomes in Current State

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and business needs, solution architecture plays a pivotal role in aligning IT strategies with business objectives. However, the prevailing approach to solution architecture and design is notably static, characterized by upfront planning and decision-making. In this 3 part series, we explore the current processes for solution design,…More

Mastering the Dual: Strategic Data Synchronization in Domain API Architecture

Introduction: In the intricate tapestry of information systems, Domain APIs emerge as critical enablers of seamless read, command, and event processes. As we continue our exploration of digital transformation in different industry sectors (with insurance domain as our common example), it’s imperative to address the complexities that arise when multiple systems—old and new—coexist,…More

Beyond Read Stores: Handling Commands and Events in Mature Domain APIs

Introduction: Domain APIs play a critical role in integration, offering a single point of aggregation for a common view of queries, commands, and events. Domain API implementations can often be poor especially when they are pass-through with no domain logic or just providing pure “read stores”. In this post we talk about how…More

Navigating the Digital Shift: A Playbook for Insurance System Transformation

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Introduction</h2> As the digital age reshapes industries, the insurance sector stands at the forefront of a significant transformation. Leading this charge, I am steering a digital transformation program designed to blend the rich heritage of traditional insurance systems with the efficiency and innovation of modern cloud-based technologies. This is a journey of integration…More

The Power of Adapters in Service Architecture:

When building a service architecture, understanding the significance of each component is paramount. Among these components, the Adapter stands out as an element that often prompts contemplation and inquiry. Questions arise: “Is this additional layer truly necessary?” “Does it introduce undue complexity?” “How does it fit within the overarching structure?” Drawing from extensive experience…More

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