Ran Isenberg (Ran the Builder)
@ranthebuilder.cloud
I help organization master AI adoption, Serverless & Platform engineering ⭐️ AWS Serverless Hero 👷 Consultant http://ranthebuilder.cloud ☁️ Senior Principal Architect @Palo Alto Networks ☕ Barista
📢🚀 Learn how AWS Serverless Hero @ranthebuilder.cloud ships with Claude every day and what actually moves the needle. Join Serverless Office Hours. Tuesday: Live on YouTube/Twitch 11AM PT www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzwY...
Building with Claude: Lessons from real projects | Serverless Office Hours
YouTube video by AWS Events
youtube.com
We don't write code anymore. We debug in plain English. Our tools and ceremonies must adapt to the new pace and ways of work. New blog post alert! ranthebuilder.cloud/blog/ai-chan...
AI Changed How We Build. Our Tools Didn’t.
AI changed how we build software, but our IDEs, spec reviews, and dev workflows haven't caught up to agentic coding. Here's what tooling must fix.
ranthebuilder.cloud
AWS re:Invent is massive and full of opportunities. I share practical tips from two years of experience as both speaker and attendee —this post helps you plan smart, learn deeply, and connect with the AWS community like a pro. www.ranthebuilder.cloud/post/guide-t...
Guide to AWS re:Invent 2025 - Tips & Tricks
AWS re:Invent 2025 is massive, intense, and full of opportunities. In my latest guide, I share practical tips from three years of experience as both speaker and attendee. From arriving early to beat j...
ranthebuilder.cloud
🚀 Had a great time with Giuseppe Battista on the AWS Startups Twitch stream! We explored building serverless MCP servers on AWS— how to make it as production-grade as possible (within reason 😄). www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuB4...
Go to Market with MCP | Let's Build a Startup S3E2: Sedna and Ran Isenberg
YouTube video by AWS Events
youtube.com
🚀 Excited to join forces with Giuseppe Battista on the AWS Startups Twitch stream next Tuesday, July 22nd, at 2 PM BST! We’ll explore building Lambda based MCP servers on AWS—what works, what breaks, and how to make it as production-grade as possible (within reason 😄). Join: bit.ly/basup-twitch
Getting started with AWS Lambda is easy—securing it isn’t. I wrote a practical guide to help you build secure serverless apps from day one. ✅ Input validation ✅ Least privilege IAM ✅ Secrets, caching, observability & more www.ranthebuilder.cloud/post/14-aws-... #AWS #Serverless
14 AWS Lambda Security Best Practices to Secure Your Serverless Applications
AWS Lambda makes it easy to build serverless apps—but security is often an afterthought. This post covers 14 real-world Lambda security best practices, from input validation, secret management, and le...
ranthebuilder.cloud
AWS Lambda handler cookbook 7.1.0 is out! - DevEx update: run 'make update-deps,' which updates the CDK version to the latest version and also all Python dependencies. I'm surprised I didn't implement this sooner! github.com/ran-isenberg...
GitHub - ran-isenberg/aws-lambda-handler-cookbook: This repository provides a working, deployable, open source-based, serverless service blueprint with an AWS Lambda function and AWS CDK Python code w...
This repository provides a working, deployable, open source-based, serverless service blueprint with an AWS Lambda function and AWS CDK Python code with all the best practices and a complete CI/CD ...
github.com
🔥 Agentic AI is moving fast—are your guardrails keeping up? Platform teams must lead adoption by wrapping Agentic AI & MCP with secure, scalable foundations. New blog post → Foundations, CLI, prompt libraries, & real patterns. www.ranthebuilder.cloud/post/agentic... #PlatformEngineering #MCP #DevE
Agentic AI & MCP for Platform Teams: Strategy and Real-World Patterns
learn how to build a secure, governed foundation for AI adoption using three key building blocks: a centralized prompt library and CLI, MCP server blueprints, and connectors to organizational data. Di...
ranthebuilder.cloud
🎉 1,000+ subscribers! I share real-world lessons from the front lines: 🧠 Using AI for architectural design, not just code ⚙️ Scaling platforms for 1,000+ developers ☁️ Building production-ready serverless services with security, observability, and governance baked in www.linkedin.com/newsletters/...
🚨 I tried running an MCP server on AWS Lambda. Spoiler: It ran—but not before it crawled, cried, and cold-started for 5 seconds. 🐢🔥 I break down what worked, what didn't, and why the current developer experience is bad www.linkedin.com/posts/ranbui...?
I Tried Running an MCP Server on AWS Lambda… Here's What Happened | Ran Isenberg
🚨 I tried running an MCP server on AWS Lambda. Spoiler: It ran—but not before it crawled, cried, and cold-started for 5 seconds. 🐢🔥 In this new blog post, I break down what worked, what didn't, a...
linkedin.com
Check out the latest article in my newsletter: Build Serverless WebSockets with AWS AppSync Events and Powertools for AWS Lambda www.linkedin.com/pulse/build-... via @LinkedIn
Build Serverless WebSockets with AWS AppSync Events and Powertools for AWS Lambda
Build serverless WebSocket APIs with AWS AppSync Events using Lambda as event handlers for publish/subscribe, powered by Powertools for AWS Lambda and AWS CDK
linkedin.com
🧠 Real-time apps just got easier with AppSync Events, Lambda, and Powertools for AWS Lambda! Build a serverless WebSocket API with CDK, direct event handling, and full observability. Check out my blog post for full code and first impressions! www.ranthebuilder.cloud/post/aws-app...
Build Serverless WebSockets with AWS AppSync Events and Powertools for AWS Lambda
In this post, you'll learn how to use AWS Lambda functions as both data sources and event handlers for publish and subscribe actions in AWS AppSync Events. We’ll walk through setting up a namespace, w...
ranthebuilder.cloud
LOVE this! Mostly lots of pros with just one con: "Yes. When you select S3 or Firehose, the logs won't be stored in CloudWatch Logs and you will pay a lower price for delivery to S3/Firehose. You don't need to add any IAM deny statement." >> aws.amazon.com/blogs/comput...
AWS Lambda introduces tiered pricing for Amazon CloudWatch logs and additional logging destinations | Amazon Web Services
Effective logging is an important part of an observability strategy when building serverless applications using AWS Lambda. Lambda automatically captures and sends logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs. This...
aws.amazon.com
I'm conflicted about this. I don't like paying of all of a sudden for something I didn't before, plus some of it is AWS controlled. Luckily, I have a blog post that will help you: aws.amazon.com/blogs/comput... www.ranthebuilder.cloud/post/is-aws-...
AWS Lambda standardizes billing for INIT Phase | Amazon Web Services
Effective August 1, 2025, AWS will standardize billing for the initialization (INIT) phase across all AWS Lambda function configurations. This change specifically affects on-demand invocations of Lamb...
aws.amazon.com
✨ AWS Powertools for Python v3.11.0 brings first-class support for AppSync Events! I need to get my hands dirty with it :) Read more: github.com/aws-powertoo...
Release v3.11.0 · aws-powertools/powertools-lambda-python
Summary We are excited to announce a new integration for Event Handler to work with AWS AppSync Events APIs. This utility provides a structured way to handle AppSync real-time events through dedica...
github.com
🐷💻 MCP, Serverless Agentic AI… and Peppa Pig? You read that right. In a hilarious + technical guest post, Anton Aleksandrov builds a stateless MCP server on Lambda, books Peppa Pig tix with OINK-GPT, and drops a GitHub repo. #Serverless #MCP #AI #AWS www.ranthebuilder.cloud/post/buildin...
Building Serverless MCP Servers and What Does Peppa Pig Have To Do With It
This post walks through building a stateless Model Context Protocol (MCP) server on AWS Lambda using Streamable HTTP—no custom bridges or transports. It explores MCP internals, tool/resource definitio...
ranthebuilder.cloud
Issue #325 of Off-by-none is out! In this issue, AWS introduces a new Well-Architected #GenAI Lens, Amazon Q Developer launches a new agent, and Serverless Inc. joins the MCP party. #offbynone offbynone.io/issues/325/
Serverless is good for the Earth Day 🌎 - Off-by-none
In this issue, AWS introduces a new Well-Architected GenAI Lens, Amazon Q Developer launches a new agent, and Serverless, Inc. joins the MCP party.
offbynone.io
🧠 Unpopular opinion: Not everything needs to be agentic AI. I've seen too many systems use agents just because. Often, "boring" code works better—simpler, cheaper, and maintainable. Solve the problem first. Choose the tech second. Not every solution needs to brag. #AI #Architecture
In the last 4 months since speaking at re:Invent with @julianwood.com , a lot has happened: ✅ Launched a LinkedIn newsletter ✅ Started consulting ✅ Blogging at ranthebuilder.cloud ✅ Serverless & platform eng focus ✅ Conference talks 👉 Follow for more! #Serverless #AWS
AWS Serverless and Platform Engineering Consulting | Ran The Builder
Ran Isenberg (Ran The Builder) provides tailored AWS Serverless and Platform Engineering consultation, helping organizations enhance security, automation, and scalability. Explore his blog for expert ...
ranthebuilder.cloud
🎤 Speaking at the AWS Israel Meetup on May 6, 18:00 IDT! Sharing 5 serverless patterns you should stop using (and what to do instead). From monolith Lambdas to bad scheduling—real lessons & better alternatives. 🔗 www.meetup.com/aws-il/event... #Serverless #AWS
AWS on the roof!, Tue, May 6, 2025, 6:00 PM | Meetup
Join us for **AWS on the Roof**, a rooftop hangout with great people, great views, and sharp takes on cloud tech. This meetup brings together talks we couldn’t squeeze into
meetup.com
Powertools for AWS Lambda 3.10.0 is out with new AppSync resolver Pydantic models for the parser utility, which makes input validations easier! Want to learn more about input validation best practices for Lambda? Check out my blog post: www.ranthebuilder.cloud/post/aws-lam... #AWS #Serverless
AWS Lambda Input Validation Best Practices | AWS Lambda Cookbook
AWS Lambda handler. This blog focuses on AWS Lambda input validation and parsing best practices.
ranthebuilder.cloud
API Gateway Restricting Resource Path with IP Allow Listing with WAF "In the example, we will restrict one resource path on API Gateway to specific IP addresses using AWS WAF." medium.com/@leejamesgil... #AWS #Serverless
API Gateway Restricting Resource Path with IP Allow Listing with WAF
In the example, we will restrict one resource path on API Gateway to specific IP addresses using AWS WAF.
medium.com
Has your platform engineering team ever built internal tools nobody used? In my latest post, I share practical strategies to boost adoption, enhance DevX, and build tools developers actually want! www.ranthebuilder.cloud/post/platfor... #PlatformEngineering #InternalTools #DevEx #AWS
Stop Building Internal Tools Nobody Wants: A Platform Engineer’s Guide
Stop building internal tools nobody wants. Platform engineering tips to boost adoption, DevX, feedback, and internal open-source mindset
ranthebuilder.cloud
A must read, as always
Lee Gilmore@serverlessadvocate.bsky.social · last yr.🌟 Issue #30 of the Serverless Advocate Newsletter is now out! This week, our serverless expert is AWS Serverless Hero Hazel Saenz, and our spotlight falls on AWS Data Hero Alex DeBrie! Please subscribe and share this post if you enjoy the content! 🔔 serverlessadvocate.substack.com/p/30-multi-a...
🚀 Reduce AWS Lambda logging costs without losing visibility! Powertools for AWS Lambda Python Logger buffers logs (DEBUG/INFO), flushing them only when errors occur. docs.powertools.aws.dev/lambda/pytho... #AWS #Serverless #Lambda #CloudWatch #CostOptimization
Logger - Powertools for AWS Lambda (Python)
Core utility
docs.powertools.aws.dev
We often resort to complicated solutions—like pre-signed URLs—to address payload size limitations in serverless applications. But AWS just published a fantastic article reminding us of a simpler, more efficient approach: using compressed payloads. aws.amazon.com/blogs/comput...
Optimizing network footprint in serverless applications | Amazon Web Services
This post is authored by Anton Aleksandrov, Principal Solution Architect, AWS Serverless and Daniel Abib, Senior Specialist Solutions Architect, AWS Serverless application developers may commonly enco...
aws.amazon.com
AppSync Events just got better! publish either via websocket or HTTP aws.amazon.com/blogs/mobile...
Building real-time apps with AWS AppSync Events’ WebSocket publishing | Amazon Web Services
Real-time features have become essential in modern applications. Whether you’re building collaborative tools, live dashboards, or interactive games, users have come to expect instant and seamless upda...
aws.amazon.com
🌟 Issue #28 of the #Serverless Advocate Newsletter is now out! 👇🏽 This week, our serverless expert is AWS Community Builder Christian Bonzelet and our spotlight falls on AWS Serverless Hero Angela Timofte!🔥 serverlessadvocate.substack.com/p/28-faster-... Please subscribe and share! 🔔 #AWS
🚀 Exciting News! 🚀 I’m now offering AWS Serverless & Platform Engineering Consulting! My services include: 🔹 Platform Engineering scaling 🔹 Serverless design reviews 🔹 AWS SaaS & DevOps guidance 💡 Book a consultation: ranthebuilder.cloud #AWS #Serverless
Master AWS Serverless & Platform Engineering | Ran The Builder
Everything AWS Serverless and platform engineering. Learn to build and design production-ready AWS Serverless services with AWS CDK and AWS Lambda best practices. Accelerate development across your de...
ranthebuilder.cloud
🚀 AWS Service Catalog: The Secret Weapon for Platform Engineering 🚀 Scaling tools & patterns across teams is hard. Here’s how AWS Service Catalog improved security, governance & automation in our platform. 🔗 Read more: www.ranthebuilder.cloud/post/aws-ser... #AWS #PlatformEngineering #Serverless
AWS Service Catalog: A Game Changer for Platform Engineering
Discover how AWS Service Catalog helps Platform Engineers balance flexibility, security, and governance—transforming delivery at scale
ranthebuilder.cloud