# The Hash Key (Week of Jan 13)

*Your Weekly Digest to Hard Mode First (January 13-17, 2025)*

By [Hard Mode First](https://hardmodefirst.xyz) · 2025-01-18

thehashkey, digest

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**Welcome to this week's issue of The Hash Key, your weekly digest to** [**_Hard Mode First_**](https://hardmodefirst.xyz/)**_._**

gm frens and happy weekend. ICYMI - I'm a software developer now and deployed my first-ever web app called [Musekat](https://musekat.com/), which lets parents enjoy art and museum exhibits with their kids through custom kid-friendly audio guides.

![](https://paragraph.xyz/editor/callout/tip-icon.png)

**Request for Beta Testers!** I'm looking for families to try out Musekat at a museum near you! Your kids can enjoy audio stories from Miko, the curious meerkat narrator. If you're interested, [set up an account here](https://musekat.com/home) and share your feedback at [hello@musekat.com](mailto:hello@musekat.com).

Here's your weekly roundup:

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![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/8527871a5e99b4eb4a8705ae8aca65c0.webp)

[**8 Coding Concepts That Finally Clicked After I Built My First App**](https://hardmodefirst.xyz/8-coding-concepts-that-finally-clicked-after-i-built-my-first-app)
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**_January 17, 2025_**

A delightful exploration of software development concepts through the eyes of a first-time app builder (aka: me)

*   Experience the feel-good vibes of _"pushing to prod"_ through the fresh eyes of someone who just did it for the first time
    
*   Unpack the real-world context behind common developer practices like code reviews and branching
    
*   Consider how AI-powered tools are democratizing the ability for anyone to build software
    

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![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/5d61cbdb66d691c408f2c3399a90a4b7.webp)

[**15 Years in Tech and 1 Weekend to (Finally) Build an App**](https://hardmodefirst.xyz/15-years-in-tech-and-1-weekend-to-finally-build-an-app)
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**_January 16, 2025_**

My journey of creating [Musekat](https://musekat.com/home), an AI-powered app that generates kid-friendly museum audio tours.

*   From concept to launch in one weekend using AI-native tools and no traditional coding
    
*   How building with AI can help close the gap between technical understanding and practical implementation
    
*   The importance of launching quickly and iterating based on real user feedback (LGTM!)
    

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![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/be936398041376737c4a487b48d8d0d4.webp)

[**Level Up on AI in 8 Weeks with the Decoded Futures AI Learning Cohort**](https://hardmodefirst.xyz/level-up-in-ai-in-8-weeks-with-decoded-futures-ai-learning-cohort-for-nonprofits)
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**_January 15, 2025_**

Applications are now open for a new AI learning program for NYC-based education and workforce nonprofits, brought to you through Tech:NYC and the Robin Hood Foundation.

*   Structured 8-week program combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice
    
*   Focus on practical application with a "build while you learn" approach
    
*   Strong early results showing 90% of participants continuing their projects post-program
    

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![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/157c2a0bcfe1f68835a84f7cd375da4d.webp)

[**The Art of the Baton Pass: Lessons from Fractional Work**](https://hardmodefirst.xyz/the-art-of-the-baton-pass-lessons-from-fractional-work)
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**_January 14, 2025_**

How to hand off your job to someone else: A go-to guide for the fractional worker (or anyone else who considers themselves a "professional paratrooper")

*   The importance of documentation and adapting to existing organizational systems
    
*   Why retros matter for building institutional knowledge
    
*   (Continuing) to make the case for "[fractional quitting](https://hardmodefirst.xyz/why-employees-quit-the-work-quests-we-really-want)" and gradual transitions
    

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![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/990885ab3f972cbe20de4e9606c606dc.webp)

[**How to Manage Maternity Leave When You're the CEO**](https://hardmodefirst.xyz/how-to-manage-maternity-leave-when-youre-the-ceo)
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**_January 13, 2025_**

A candid take about navigating maternity leave when you're the one in charge, with lessons learns from personal experiences (including a bit of cheeky advice for colleagues and peers...)

*   Practical tips for managing announcements and transitions (on your own terms!)
    

*   The importance of focusing on _momentum_ rather than micromanagement
    
*   Real talk about how to manage work transitions during major life changes
    

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*Originally published on [Hard Mode First](https://hardmodefirst.xyz/the-hash-key-week-of-jan-13)*