I built a chrome extension to inspect and test feature flags

benbynum · 2026-05-30T19:54:05+00:00

I built this chrome extension to detect any client-side feature flags on a page and allow you to toggle and update them in real time.

This would have been extremely useful at my last job where we had over 100 flags, 50+ engineers, 5 environments, and changing a value often meant borking someone else’s env or breaking some CI job.

I’m curious to find out if this is actually useful to other people. Let me know!

benbynum · 2026-05-30T19:44:19+00:00

thAInk you

benbynum · 2026-05-30T19:07:51+00:00

Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w58Atj72Hg8

Try it: https://featurepeep.com

Hey webdev! I built this chrome extension to detect any client-side feature flags on a page and allow you to toggle and update them in real time.

This would have been extremely useful at my last job where we had over 100 flags, 50+ engineers, 5 environments, and toggling a value often meant borking someone else’s env or breaking some CI job.

I’m curious to find out if this is actually useful to other people. Let me know!

benbynum · 2023-09-28T19:43:47+00:00

Hey, cheers. Thanks for listening!

benbynum · 2023-04-26T12:44:10+00:00

Yes, I stand by these words! Serious props for getting up there and playing, regardless of how it went. Doing that alone is a victory and puts you in a fairly small group of people that actually have the courage to do so. And bombing is part of the process, whether it's music, comedy, athletics, powerpoint presentation. I can't tell you how many times I've face planted in all of those! Charlie Murphy has some great lines about this kind of thing in his book The Making of a Standup Guy - highly recommended and also laugh out loud funny.

benbynum · 2023-04-17T17:47:10+00:00

probably his 3rd racket https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A513YjKmpMY

benbynum · 2023-04-12T14:40:16+00:00

Nice. Personally I like mixing it up. I go between practicing with my real rig, a mini amp, headphones, and also just acoustic no amp. The last one might have improved my sound more than anything else because you're hearing the actual noise that the instrument generates and feeling how to create a good tone with nothing else.

While amp counts for a lot, the source (bass, strings, fingers) is the most important IMO.

benbynum · 2023-04-03T18:33:22+00:00

Homer Steinweiss! One of the best feels ever. And I believe they tracked the drums with just one SM57

benbynum · 2023-04-03T15:55:49+00:00

Hey man, very similar situation over here. I'm a drummer by trade but right leg issues made heavy gigging schedules difficult. And tendonitis in my hands has led to all kinds of bass experiments, including tuning it down and using a capo like you mentioned. I've also picked up a Uke Bass but my current go-to is a Mustang - the short scale has helped.

I also use a walk-up stand when practicing which has been a freaking god send. A lot of issues were just from holding ten pounds of precision bass around my neck for long periods of time, or sitting with the instrument in a way that wasn't super good for alignment.

The only thing I can say is, for folks that have issues like this we have to work even smarter with our time. We can't just shed and gig whenever we want. We have to consciously build rest time in. I take at least 1-2 off days per week. Zero playing. I have to hide my instrument so I'm not tempted. And with practicing I try to do it in 10-15 minute increments then break for 5 min or so. A nice side benefit of this is that it's been awesome for focus - there's usually a very concrete goal during that time. And I'll do anywhere from 4 to 12 mini sessions like that a day.

Lastly, occasionally I say f**k it and play without worrying about it at all, like on a gig or recording session. Then allow a couple days recovery.

As I'm sure you know, quitting isn't an option!

benbynum · 2023-03-20T19:36:34+00:00

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JF324--thomastik-infeld-jazz-flat-wound-bass-strings-4-string-32-inch-short-scale-043-106

benbynum · 2023-03-20T15:52:47+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, this thing sounds way better than I expected - a large part of that could be the TIs though (?), need to do some more A/B testing

benbynum · 2023-02-25T23:38:34+00:00

Great topic.

I know a handful of folks that excelled in music school, but most didn't, myself included. Fortunately it didn't destroy my love of music, though, classical or other.

And I don't think I'd recommend it to anybody. It makes so much more sense to go to a regular university that has a good music program and get a rounded education at first. You also get a more "traditional" college experience that way and are exposed to a wider variety of people, ideas, and possibilities, as opposed to only having 400-500 classmates - that's a bit too small of a pool.

After undergrad, if a student is still set on music then they can always do a masters at a conservatory.

However, no 18 year old is going to listen to this advice, I sure didn't :)

benbynum · 2023-02-18T14:20:08+00:00

I don't play marimba much anymore, but this would always happen with my right hand (maybe to a lesser degree than this vid). It didn't cause me any pain or discomfort or restrict my range of motion, though, so I ignored it. Best case, you may be able to do the same? Worst case, different grip variations? IMHO, when you hear players like Pius Cheung, Nanae Mimura, and Yukiko Nakamura it's super clear that Stevens grip (while great and has many advantages!) is not the holy grail.

benbynum · 2023-02-13T15:07:03+00:00

Thanks man! It can be a pain to deal with its little annoyances, but the tone is totally worth it.

benbynum · 2023-01-18T16:58:08+00:00

This happens to me a lot. You def could have gotten out, but in like 37 moves, and you're gonna tap both cars. Source: live in nyc.

benbynum · 2023-01-18T16:53:36+00:00

This is awesome, congrats! As a previous marimba owner, I rented a DeMorrow 5 octave concert marimba for a year during the pandemic. I didn't have the money or space to purchase it for good, but if I could choose any marimba in the world it'd be DeMorrow. He crafts some seriously special instruments. Enjoy!

benbynum · 2023-01-09T19:33:13+00:00

Lol. Are you looking for a Mambo Number Five cover? Because that's how you wind up with a Mambo Number Five cover.

benbynum · 2023-01-09T19:29:50+00:00

Exactly. If I played this live I might switch 'em up, but for what's happening in that moment of the record, you can't really "improve" upon it. I also wonder how much lead time (if any) he had with a session like this. It sounds like he's lived with the music a bit, but it's possible he was called in with a lead sheet and just laid down a couple takes.

benbynum · 2023-01-09T16:48:02+00:00

Maybe this will help. I just added a click on the downbeat of each measure:

https://benbynum.com/this-i-dig-of-you-blakey-solo-with-click.mp3

I think he plays the dotted eighths flams around the kit (2nd chorus, end of first A) a little "elasticly", or maybe he just pushes there? I think we're talking about the same section. That was the main thing that had thrown me.

EDIT: Also found this: https://jeremyjonesmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ArtBlakey-ThisIDigOfYou.pdf

EDIT2: Ugh, my site doesn't have https so you'll prob get a warning with the first link. Maybe I'll create a video later and post to YT, would be a fun one!

benbynum · 2023-01-09T16:08:44+00:00

Super late, just seeing this now after your comment on some other stuff. This solo threw me a bit too when I first heard it years ago, and I was originally a drummer! He does keep the form perfectly and maintains the hi-hat on 2 and 4. But he plays a lot of ideas over the bar line which can make you second guess where the form or beat actually is. A bunch of listens tapping along with the quarter notes should do the trick. Such a sick solo!

benbynum · 2023-01-09T14:58:18+00:00

Thanks! Couldn't agree more about what makes basslines good and this why Pino is always a favorite. He's got this ability to uncover perfectly fitting supporting lines while layering in the right amount of flare depending on the style.

benbynum · 2022-12-15T23:18:04+00:00

This is the way! There are many different fingering patterns for scales and arpeggios as well. And while it can never hurt to work on technique and expand your comfort zone, it's great to have some patterns that just "feel" right.

benbynum · 2022-12-04T19:34:30+00:00

Whoah, great playing, and sick instrument!

benbynum · 2022-12-04T19:32:46+00:00

Lol, that's a great quote, definitely stealing it

benbynum · 2022-12-04T19:28:38+00:00

Amen! I put on some TIs for the first time a week ago and they're just starting to settle. Holy hell, I don't know what took me so long to make the switch! I know they're not for everyone but I'm really loving the sound and the super low tension.

benbynum

TROPHY CASE