Wes Bos: web dev and hardware hacks
Web developer Wes Bos wires a Nintendo Zapper into the browser, builds an ESP32 thermal camera and shares handy dev tips between experiments.
What it is
This is the TikTok of Wes Bos, a full-stack web developer, course maker and co-host of the Syntax podcast. His TikTok isn't a course funnel, though — it's a lab notebook. What happens when you combine a browser, a cheap ESP32 board and whatever new AI tool dropped this week? Videos are quick, with code on screen or a gadget in hand.
Why we picked it
It's a great reminder that programming can be play. In recent months Wes has hooked a Nintendo Zapper up to an ESP32 and piped it into the browser, built a thermal camera on the same board, used an AI coding agent to reverse-engineer a toy RC car so he could drive it over USB, and wired his Home Assistant setup into his car's assistant to open the garage doors. Between experiments come practical tips — like npkill for hunting down and deleting old node_modules folders when your disk is full, or fully accessible HTML rendered inside a canvas.
There's the occasional partnership video, but they're rare and labelled.
Where to start
- The Nintendo Zapper in the browser.
- The ESP32 thermal camera.
- The RC car reverse-engineered with an AI agent.
- The npkill tip — you'll use it the same day.
Who it's for
Front-end and full-stack developers who want to remember why they got into this. ESP32 and Arduino tinkerers. And anyone following AI tools who'd rather see them doing something real than read another announcement.
Quick answers
Who is Wes Bos? A full-stack web developer, course creator and co-host of the Syntax podcast.
Is it course advertising? No — the feed is experiments and tips; courses are only mentioned in his bio.
Do I need to code to enjoy it? Not for the hardware hacks; the dev tips help if you do.
