AC

01 / Field notes

Writing from the middle of shipping.

Notes from building AI systems that actually run. n8n agents, Claude Code, MCP servers, retrieval, evals, the parts nobody writes tweets about. 26 posts and counting.

All26n8n3Coding agents6MCP2Production8Buying7

October 2026

Decisions · Buying

AI automation: decide before you build

Five checks a team can run on one workflow before paying anyone to automate it.

6 min read
Alex Cinovoj, TechTide AI

July 2026

Adoption · Handoff

Why AI pilots die at handoff

A pilot needs an owner, a quality signal, a runbook and an operating budget before the team can depend on it.

9 min read
Alex Cinovoj, TechTide AI
Strategy · Buying

Build vs buy for AI agents

Compare buying and building separately for each layer: model access, orchestration, business rules and data.

9 min read
Alex Cinovoj, TechTide AI
Voice · Intake

AI receptionist vs AI intake agent

Decide whether you need a message or a structured intake record, then check routing, validation and handoff against that requirement.

9 min read
Alex Cinovoj, TechTide AI
Vibe coding · Shipping

From vibe coding to production

The prototype was real work. It just is not the same work as running it for other people.

10 min read
Alex Cinovoj, TechTide AI

June 2026

Cost · Buying

What AI workflow automation really costs

Estimate build cost, model spend, hosting and maintenance separately. A launch budget alone leaves ongoing work unaccounted for.

9 min read
Alex Cinovoj, TechTide AI

January 2026

Buying · Agencies

What an AI automation agency actually delivers

Before hiring an AI automation agency, agree on the software, checks, documentation and handoff the engagement will deliver.

9 min read
Alex Cinovoj, TechTide AI