Lone Star Media
Notes from the workshop.
What we're learning building MCP servers, rescuing AI-generated codebases, and running our own products. One post a week, written by the people doing the work.
We started in Austin in 2000 building websites. Today we build custom software, AI integrations and our own products. Here's what that looks like.
Building in public What running Ateamo taught us about building software for clientsAteamo is our own league-management app: 12,000 adult players, three leagues. Five lessons from carrying the pager that change how we build for clients.
MCP & AI Off-the-shelf AI connector or custom MCP server? How to decideMany SaaS tools now ship an MCP connector. When the ready-made one is enough, when you need a custom MCP server, and how to tell the difference.
AI rescue What AI coding tools get wrong, and why it isn't their faultAI coding tools are great at writing code and bad at the parts nobody asked for. The failure patterns we see in AI-built apps, and why they happen.
Agency craft What Google (and AI search) rewards in 2026Search changed: INP replaced FID, AI Overviews answer first, and assistants cite sources. What still matters for your site, and what to do this quarter.
MCP & AI AI for small businesses in 2026: a practical guideWhat is actually working with AI in small and midsize businesses this year, what isn't, and a five-step checklist to find your first real win.
Agency craft How to choose a payment gateway: a no-nonsense guideStripe, PayPal, Shopify Payments or Venmo? What each costs, what integration really takes, and the questions we ask before recommending a gateway.