This week: Get practical guidance on NLog performance, routing, and the tradeoffs between NLog and Serilog, plus guides to the pipeline and specification patterns in C#. You'll also find a stable .NET approach to RAG and embeddings. The videos explore AI workflows, GPT 5.6 Sol, navigating unfamiliar codebases, burnout, and career growth beyond senior engineer.
Like what you read or watched from the recap? I'd love if you helped share on Reddit or Daily.dev so others can see!
Weekly Recap
What Comes After Senior Software Engineer? - Principal Engineering Manager AMA
As you're making progress in your software engineering career, the discussion of roles and levels can be a big focal point. Why does it seem like moving beyond senior software engineer is such a challenge?
As with all livestreams, I'm looking forward to answering YOUR questions! So join me live and ask in the chat, or you can comment now, and I can try to get it answered while I stream.
How to navigate huge codebases when you're new to them
From the ExperiencedDevs subreddit, this developer wanted perspectives on navigating codebases you are new to.
This is how I'm working now with AI workflows
In this video, I talk about some of my AI usage with regular workflows to automate tasks.
I Stopped Using AI Just for Coding (Here's What I Found)
In this video, I talk about some of my AI usage outside of just writing code.
This is What Burnout Actually Looks Like
In this video, I talk about work-life balance and burnout in software engineering.
Initial Impressions Using GPT 5.6 Sol For Coding
In this video, I talk about my own development using AI and my initial impressions with GPT 5.6 Sol.
Pipeline Pattern in C#: A Modern .NET Guide
Learn the pipeline pattern in C#, its core stages, execution models, tradeoffs, and how to choose a stable .NET 10 implementation for production systems.
NLog vs Serilog in .NET: Which Should You Choose?
Compare NLog vs Serilog in .NET to choose the right logging library. Covers configuration style, structured logging, performance, rules routing, sinks vs targets, and migration guidance.
Specification Pattern in C#: A Practical Guide for Modern .NET
Understand the Specification Pattern in C#, distinguish domain rules from query criteria and query envelopes, and decide when it fits a modern .NET design.
RAG and Embeddings in .NET: A Stable Architecture Guide
Learn a stable architecture for RAG and embeddings in .NET, connecting ingestion, retrieval, citations, authorization, evaluation, observability, and deletion.
NLog Performance: AsyncWrapper, Buffering, and High-Throughput Logging in .NET
Optimize NLog performance in .NET with AsyncWrapper, BufferingWrapper, and high-throughput logging patterns. Includes benchmarks, async configuration, and production tuning tips.
NLog Rules and Filters: Routing Logs in .NET
Learn how NLog rules and filters work in .NET. Covers rule matching by logger name and level, final rules, writeTo routing, when filters, and silencing noisy Microsoft.* logs.
- Join me and other software engineers in the private Discord community!
- Resume reviews and interview guidance!
- Software engineering podcast and livestreams!
- My Code Commute vlogs are on YouTube!
- All of my weekly vlogs are on YouTube!
- Remember to check out my courses, including this awesome discounted bundle for C# developers:

![Weekly Recap: NLog, AI Workflows, and C# Design Patterns [Aug 2026]](https://devleader-d2f9ggbjfpdqcka7.z01.azurefd.net/media/SquareBanner.webp)





