Heya, I'm Zell
I build AI systems for businesses and tools for developers
I’m a developer who writes about building for the web. I teach through courses like Learn JavaScript, Practical Astro and Unorthodox Tailwind, and make Splendid Labz, the toolkit I build my own projects with.
These days I also build AI and automation systems that make businesses easier to run.
Read about my storyNow Now Now
Things I'm focusing on right now
AI & Automation Systems
I look at how your business works today, find the bottlenecks, and build what fixes them. Sometimes that's AI, sometimes it's automation or plain software.
Tell me the problemPractical Astro
Production ready patterns for Astro — ready for you to plonk and build. It covers content, images, SEO, forms, auth and payments.
Find out moreUnorthodox Tailwind
A course that shows you how I use Tailwind and CSS to build nice websites in half the time.
Find out moreSplendid Labz
Components, styles and utilities I build my projects with. It covers Astro and Svelte, a CSS design system, and AI libraries.
Find out moreNice words from peers, friends, and customers
Geoff Graham — Chief Editor @ CSS Tricks
Zell is the rare sort of developer who both knows his stuff and can explain even the most technical jargon in approachable — and even fun — ways!
I’ve taken his courses and always look forward to his writing because I know I’ll walk away with something that makes me a better front-ender.
Heydon Pickering — Web & Accessibility Extraordinaire
Zell is one of those rare people who commands tremendous knowledge and experience but remains humble and helpful. They want you to know what they know, not just be impressed by it.
In other words, Zell is a natural teacher. You’re lucky to have him because he feels lucky to be able to help you in your journey.
I've also been featured in the following publications
Follow My Journey
If you’re into making things and growing as a person, you’ll probably feel at home here.
I share what I’m learning in this newsletter — code, building businesses, and living well.
Sometimes I write about technical deep-dives, product updates, musings on how to live, and sometimes my struggles and how I’m breaking through.
I aim to send you at least one insightful piece every week.
I’m always designing, aligning
Combining ideas, and always refining
I’m a real bright thinker and a genius when I tinker
With a love of problem-solving as a model canoe sinkerWe’re failing fantastically, yes, we’re a mess
And we’re messing up drastically, falling on your face is the best
If you do it wrong, then you run another test
There’s really only failing, then learning, then death