# 404Thoughts


## Posts

- [Checklist for Engineers Joining a New Project](https://404thoughts.in/checklist-for-engineers-joining-a-new-project/): **Goal**: A quick-reference checklist of dos and don’ts when you’re new to a team or project – technical, cultural, and strategic. *Bookmark this for future reference* ## Mindset – **Listen and absorb** as much as you can from discussions, meetings and conversations. – **Ask a lot of questions** from different people in your team such as engineers, PMs, QA, designers. Do not limit yourself to just your domain. – **Clear assumptions:** It’s good to clarify your assumptions even if they are obvious. – Focus on **”why X is like that”** instead of “why we are not doing Y instead of
- [A React Starter Template for the Impatient Developer](https://404thoughts.in/a-react-starter-template-for-the-impatient-developer/): I recently created a starter template and wanted to share the process behind it. If you’re not interested in the process, here’s the link: [**paras594/react-starter-template**](https://github.com/paras594/react-starter-template) For those who are interested, read ahead. ## The Problem I like building projects for fun and experimentation, but I always had one main problem: **project setup**. I’ve become well-versed in it and have no fear of getting started, but it’s inefficient and damn slow. It slows me down that I have to spend a chunk of my time on setup instead of actually building the project. Sometimes I used Next.js for its defaults with
- [What Made Me Start This Blog](https://404thoughts.in/what-made-me-start-this-blog/): Whether you’re learning to read, starting the gym, exploring new activities, or riding bikes—anything that excites you even a little bit **has the potential to shape you, teach you something, or lead to unexpected growth**. These experiences not only help you grow personally but also support and inspire others who may be going through similar situations. The problem is, we’re not always able to **recognize or reflect on** those processes and work. # How it began? ![pexels-dee-doo-91072-6486987](/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-dee-doo-91072-6486987.jpg){.alignnone} Photo by Dee Doo I recently wrapped up reading *Show Your Work* by Austin Kleon. It’s been an eye-opener for me – so
- [Chess, Anime, and AI: A Love Triangle I Didn’t See Coming](https://404thoughts.in/chess-anime-and-ai-a-love-triangle-i-didnt-see-coming/): The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to optimize for meaning instead of efficiency.
- [Following Curiosity: What Happens When I Learn Without a Goal](https://404thoughts.in/following-curiosity-what-happens-when-i-learn-without-a-goal/): The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to optimize for meaning instead of efficiency.
- [How Playing Tekken Changed How I Think About Strategy](https://404thoughts.in/how-playing-tekken-changed-how-i-think-about-strategy/): The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to optimize for meaning instead of efficiency.
- [Why I Gave Up on Perfect Productivity](https://404thoughts.in/why-i-gave-up-on-perfect-productivity/): The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to optimize for meaning instead of efficiency.
- [The Mountain Is You’: Reflections from the Climb](https://404thoughts.in/the-mountain-is-you-reflections-from-the-climb/): The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to optimize for meaning instead of efficiency.
- [Measure Twice, Cut Once: A Principle I Now Live By](https://404thoughts.in/measure-twice-cut-once-a-principle-i-now-live-by/): The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to optimize for meaning instead of efficiency.
- [What I Learned from a Month of Reading Every Morning](https://404thoughts.in/what-i-learned-from-a-month-of-reading-every-morning/): The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to optimize for meaning instead of efficiency.
- [Rethinking Blog Comments as Conversations](https://404thoughts.in/rethinking-blog-comments-as-conversations/): The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to optimize for meaning instead of efficiency.
- [Making My Portfolio Feel More Like Me](https://404thoughts.in/making-my-portfolio-feel-more-like-me/): The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to optimize for meaning instead of efficiency.
- [I Tried Re-Creating Google Keep in 24 Hours](https://404thoughts.in/i-tried-re-creating-google-keep-in-24-hours/): The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to optimize for meaning instead of efficiency.
- [Building a Game with Nothing but Divs and CSS](https://404thoughts.in/building-a-game-with-nothing-but-divs-and-css/): The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to optimize for meaning instead of efficiency.
- [Remote Team Sync Tool](https://404thoughts.in/remote-team-sync-tool/): Created a lightweight tool for async communication that reduced meeting overhead by 40% for distributed teams.
- [Minimal Habit Tracker](https://404thoughts.in/minimal-habit-tracker/): Designed a distraction-free habit tracking app focused on consistency over complexity. Currently used by 1,200+ people daily.
- [AI-Powered Reading Companion](https://404thoughts.in/ai-powered-reading-companion/): Built a Chrome extension that generates intelligent summaries and questions for any article, helping users retain more of what they read.

## Pages

- [Categories](https://404thoughts.in/categories/): Blog Topics Books & Ideas Tech & Work Projects & Experiments Life & Learning Play & Curiosity
- [Books & Ideas](https://404thoughts.in/books-and-ideas/): Books & Ideas June 18, 2025 Why I Stopped Optimizing Everything The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to… Go to blog June 18, 2025 Remote Team Sync Tool Created a lightweight tool for async communication that reduced meeting overhead by 40% for distributed… Go to blog June 18, 2025 Minimal Habit Tracker Designed a distraction-free habit tracking app focused on consistency over complexity. Currently used by 1,200+… Go to blog June 18, 2025 AI-Powered Reading Companion Built a Chrome extension that generates intelligent summaries and questions for any article, helping users… Go
- [Blogs](https://404thoughts.in/blogs/): All Blogs Chess, Anime, and AI: A Love Triangle I Didn’t See Coming The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to… June 21, 2025 Following Curiosity: What Happens When I Learn Without a Goal The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to… June 21, 2025 How Playing Tekken Changed How I Think About Strategy The productivity trap that kept me busy but not fulfilled, and how I learned to… June 21, 2025 Why I Gave Up on Perfect Productivity The productivity trap that kept me busy
- [Newsletter](https://404thoughts.in/newsletter/): [newsletter]
- [About Me](https://404thoughts.in/about/): Still crafting this space — but here’s the gist: I’m someone who loves building cool things, learning constantly, and sharing along the way. This page will soon hold more about who I am, what I do, and why this site exists. Stay tuned!
- [Home](https://404thoughts.in/): Hi, I am Paras 👋 Welcome to my digital space where my work, thoughts, and stories unfold. I create digital experiences, share hard-earned lessons, and help others navigate the intersection of technology and human potential. Get to Know Me Who I Am? I’m a frontend engineer who likes to builds user-friendly products through clean code and thoughtful design. When I’m not coding, you can find me reading, gaming, doodling, or building side projects that feed my curiosity. I use this space to reflect on what I build, explore, and learn along the way. “Stories, Lessons & Explorations” A collection of


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