Steve McDougall · Wales, UK
Build APIs your team can trust.
I help engineering teams design better APIs, improve Laravel architecture, and grow developers who ship with confidence.
Through in-depth writing, conference talks, open source, and hands-on team engagements, I turn hard-won lessons into practical guidance you can actually use.
Here to learn?
Start with curated tracks instead of guessing what to read first.
I have guided paths for backend engineers, platform leads, and CTOs working on API design, Laravel architecture, and team enablement.
Explore the learning tracks →Here to hire?
See how I help engineering teams sharpen delivery and architecture.
I run workshops, coaching sessions, and enablement projects for teams that want cleaner APIs, stronger technical habits, and better engineering decisions.
See how I work with teams →- 50K+
- developers read this site each month
- 30+
- talks delivered across meetups and conferences
- 15+
- years building and leading software teams
Practical writing for teams building with PHP, Laravel, and APIs.
From API design workshops to architectural deep dives.
Hands-on experience spanning product delivery, enablement, and mentoring.
Start in the right place.
If you are new here, use a path that matches the job you are trying to do instead of digging through the archive at random.
Pick the path that matches your role, then go deeper without the guesswork.
I have already grouped the best material for backend engineers, platform leads, and CTOs who care about APIs, Laravel architecture, and team enablement.
API Design Track
For backend and platform teams focusing on consistent contracts and reliable releases.
Laravel Architecture Track
For product teams looking to modernize delivery patterns and maintainable codebases.
Team Enablement Track
For engineering leaders building onboarding and learning systems that actually work.
Track
API Design Track
For backend and platform teams focusing on consistent contracts and reliable releases.
Introduction to API Design
Standardizing Your API Patterns
Track
Laravel Architecture Track
For product teams looking to modernize delivery patterns and maintainable codebases.
Thin Controllers, Fat Models?
Domain Driven Design in Laravel
Track
Team Enablement Track
For engineering leaders building onboarding and learning systems that actually work.
Building a Culture of Learning
Onboarding for Senior Engineers
Editor’s Picks
All articles →Writing Pitches That Work
How to write Shape Up pitches that give engineering teams real clarity - problem definition, appetite, solution shaping, rabbit holes, and no-gos explained.
Apr 4, 2026
Building Real Applications with TempestPHP
How to structure TempestPHP applications with domain-first folders, repositories, command handlers, and thin controllers that stay maintainable.
Mar 9, 2026
Implementing the Saga Pattern in a Laravel Monolith
Learn how to implement the Saga pattern in Laravel to coordinate external APIs, recover from failures, and keep data consistent.
Mar 9, 2026
Prefer a slower pace?
Join 5,000+ developers reading Code & Chill for weekly notes on APIs, architecture, and better technical decisions.
Latest Writing
All articles →Redefining Engineering Roles in the AI Era
AI makes implementation cheaper and judgment more valuable. Learn how engineering roles, hiring, and team design are changing.
Reviewing AI Generated Work
How to review AI-generated code effectively, what failure modes to watch for, and how to maintain quality standards as code volume increases.
Spec Driven Development With LLMs
How to write specifications that produce useful LLM output, covering interface definitions, edge cases, and why the spec is your highest-leverage artifact.
What I Create
Writing
Clear, practical articles on PHP, Laravel, API design, and software architecture for developers who want to level up without the fluff.
Editor’s pick: Writing Pitches That Work
Browse articles →Speaking
Conference talks and workshops for teams that want actionable ideas on APIs, developer tooling, and modern Laravel architecture.
Recent session: Reliable API Calls Without the Stress
View talks →Open Source
Libraries, experiments, and standards work shaped by real-world PHP teams and a strong bias toward maintainable systems.
Most-starred package: juststeveking/laravel-transporter • 480 stars
Explore packages →Trusted by developers and engineering leaders
The writing is useful because it comes from real delivery work, real teams, and real technical trade-offs.
“Steve is one of the most thorough and thoughtful educators I've seen. He puts in a ton of effort and it clearly shows.”
Aaron Francis
Founder, Try Hard Studios
“Steve is the teacher you wish you had in school. He’s informative, entertaining, and passionate about what he does. I’m always excited to see more of Steve’s content!”
Alex Six
Senior Software Engineer, Zillow
“To me, there's one word that comes to mind: 'passion'. There are only a handful of people with the same passion for programming as Steve.”
Brent Roose
Developer Advocate, JetBrains
“Steve is a great developer with a wealth of knowledge that has contributed to many projects we have. His passion for API means we benefit from his aim for the best.”
Chris Miller
Team Lead, PHP Architect
“Steve is an awesome guy who knows a thing or two about APIs. I’ve learned so much from his content on his YouTube channel as well as his API video course.”
Davor Minchorov
Senior PHP Engineer, Adeva
“Steve is an awesome writer and communicator, he can take complex problems and communicate them in a way that anyone can understand.”
Eric Barnes
Founder/Editor, Laravel News
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A weekly deep dive on APIs, Laravel architecture, and the decisions that make software easier to ship and maintain.