MarsBased

04/06/2026

The baseline for software engineering has shifted.

At MarsBased, we’ve just updated our performance review templates for all technical roles because the technical bar today is nothing like it was two years ago. AI tools have raised the floor, while fundamentals like clean code and ownership still matter, AI fluency is now a key evaluation criterion.

The challenge is measuring true AI proficiency without falling into the trap of blind copy-pasting, and continuing to avoid outdated metrics like commit counts or story points.

We’re choosing full transparency by sharing the exact framework we use to evaluate engineers, the tools we’ve standardized on (like Claude Code), and the human skills that AI will never replace.

Read the full breakdown on our blog: https://marsbased.com/blog/2026/06/04/how-we-evaluate-software-engineers-in-the-age-of-ai

03/06/2026

If you caught our newsletter yesterday, you might have noticed things look a little different. We’ve completely redesigned the format and shifted our focus to bring you the absolute best, zero-fluff insights for developers, tech leaders, and anyone building in this ecosystem.

Instead of generic updates, we are now opening up our internal workflows and sharing the exact playbooks our team uses in production.

To kick off this new era, yesterday’s issue was packed with actionable ways to optimize your AI tooling. We broke down how to bypass massive token consumption with specific Claude CLI tricks, exposed the hidden financial impact of the LLM "non-English tax", and explored how we are using Google's DESIGN.md to align coding agents with human teams.

We are putting a lot of love into making this the most high-value tech email you get. Check out the link below to see the new vibe for yourself, and hit subscribe to catch the next one. We promise it’s genuinely worth the space in your inbox.

The MarsBased monthly newsletter covers software development, AI, remote work, and startup culture. Join our community of engineers, founders, and tech leaders.

02/06/2026

¿Dejar un puesto de C-level es realmente un paso atrás en tu carrera?

Parece que el único camino aprobado en el sector tech es la línea recta hacia arriba: Senior, Manager, VP, CTO. Pero pocos hablan de lo que pasa cuando llegas a la cima y te das cuenta de que lo que extrañas es el producto y la tecnología, no las hojas de cálculo ni las reuniones infinitas. A veces las cosas no son como nos las pintan.

De esto, y mucho más, han hablado nuestro CEO, Àlex Rodríguez Bacardit, y Susana Durán en este nuevo episodio de Road to CTO.

Susana ha vivido el liderazgo tecnológico en todas sus facetas: desde ser CTO de startups punteras como Spamina y Zyncro y VP en Sage, hasta su rol actual en AWS liderando arquitecturas críticas. En su trayectoria hay una decisión valiente que subvierte el manual de carrera tradicional: dejar un título "C-level" para volver a embarrarse las manos con la tecnología.

Tienes el episodio completo aquí: De CTO en startups a directiva en AWS: Evolución, IA y gestión de equipos con Susana Durán https://youtu.be/MeG83k1qpXU

28/05/2026

Supercut: beyond screen recording. See the full interview in our YouTube channel !

28/05/2026

The complete recap of our Martian Retreat Pyrenees 2026 is finally live!

We have put together a blog post summarizing all the best moments from our time in the mountains. From our Martian Day company update and outdoor adventures to uncovering hidden ping pong talents and trying the famous local Xisqueta lamb, you can read all about our trip.

Watch the short video below for a sneak peek of our days together, and if you want to see the full story of how we reconnect and grow as a remote team, check out the blog post linked below!
https://marsbased.com/blog/2026/05/28/martian-retreat-pyrenees-2026-reconnecting-growing-and-reaching-for-the-stars

26/05/2026

It has never been easier to generate code. But it has also never been easier to ship soulless software.

When our CEO Álex Rodríguez Bacardit sat down with David Okuniev (co-founder of Typeform & Supercut), David didn't hold back. He dropped a brutal reality check on the tech industry’s current obsession with AI speed.

Behind the hype, even top-tier product teams are wrestling with massive 65-PR backlogs of auto-generated junk that still demand strict human engineering to actually work. We are trading real craft for cheap shortcuts, and the result is an ecosystem where every new app, deck, and landing page looks exactly the same.

If you are tired of fake demos and endless hype, David’s perspective is a breath of fresh air. They dive deep into why the "AI slop" problem is getting worse, and why human taste is the only true competitive moat left right now.

No clichés. Just a real look at the mess we are currently building.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/19PyJrZh5Jg

23/05/2026

We closed out the final day of our Martian Retreat Pyrenees 2026 with a bang! For our last day of activities, we wanted to make the absolute most of our beautiful surroundings. We hit the water for some kayaking, visited an impressive local dam, and took on a scenic hiking trail to soak in our last views of the mountains. It was the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and teamwork.

After an action-packed day, we slowed things down and spent our final evening gathered around for some classic board games. Sharing laughs and a bit of friendly competition across the table was the best possible way to bring the activities of this incredible trip to a close.

We are heading back home feeling refreshed, inspired, and more connected as a team than ever. But our retreat content is not over just yet, stay tuned, because we will be sharing a full recap of the entire experience very soon!

22/05/2026

Yesterday marked Day 2 of our Martian Retreat Pyrenees 2026, and it was truly one for the books. We dedicated the first part of the day to our Martian Day, opening the floor to share our experiences and diving into a comprehensive company update. It was highly rewarding to review our progress, celebrate our milestones, and see exactly how much we have grown over the past year.

After the mental workout, it was time to get moving. We traded our laptops for bikes and explored the beautiful mountain trails, enjoying some physical activity and the incredible Pyrenees scenery.

To wrap up an already perfect day, we headed to the town of Àger for an unforgettable stargazing experience. Looking up at the night sky together was the ultimate way to unwind and connect after a busy day.

Stay tuned for more updates and content coming soon!

21/05/2026

The calm before the Martian storm! Here is a quick recap of the warm-up to our Martian Day.

Before diving into the main events, we took some time to truly disconnect. From epic padel matches to relaxing by the pool, we are soaking up every second of being back together surrounded by nature.

There is truly nothing like reuniting the whole team in such an incredible setting. The energy is high, the bonds are stronger than ever, and we are so happy to be back!

Let the Martian Retreat Pyrenees 2026 continue!