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Tom Cools

@tomcools.be
1.4K followers 425 following 586 posts

DevRel @Timefold | Conference (Keynote) Speaker 🗣️ | #Java Champion | @BeJUG Organizer | Kind of a weird guy 😅

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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 25/09/2026
I posted about Jev a couple of days ago, and it got me thinking where this new AI model fits in. In this world of overloaded AI terminology, calling it a "model" has had the side-effect that people immediately compare it to GenAI models. But that should be clarified. timefold.ai/blog/system-...
timefold.ai
The AI spectrum, revisited: where Jev fits in the AI ecosystem. | Timefold
Jev, TypeSafe AI's System One Model, returns decisions instead of text. Where it sits in the AI spectrum and how it complements planning optimization with Timefold.
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 07/09/2026
😎
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 04/09/2026
"reverse meat proxy" gruhn.me/blog/2026-08...
gruhn.me
Niklas Gruhn - Don't be a meat proxy
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 01/09/2026
👀
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 31/08/2026
Yeah. And if someone disagrees with a rule, always open for talking about them and correcting them when appropriate. 😊 The error description usually has both the rationale why the rule exists and the prefered alternative... to guide developers.
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 31/08/2026
Always have been. 😊
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 31/08/2026
One of my new favorite things is to ask Claude to add architecture validation tests using @archunit.bsky.social whenever we want to "codify" decisions. Actual executable deterministic validation = 😍 Works like a charm. Move beyond markdown and prayers, add some actual validation in there! #java
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 30/08/2026
Next time you come to Belgium? 😊
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 29/08/2026
I don't think anything will beat Brass in this genre for me. 😅
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Martin Fowler @martinfowler.com · 19/08/2026
NEW POST Jim Highsmith explains that effective writing from a practitioner is a style distinct from academic writing or thought-leadership content. martinfowler.com/articles/pra...
martinfowler.com
Practitioner Voice
I propose "Practitioner Voice" to label a writing style with important differences to academic writing and thought-leadership
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 19/08/2026
Now that was a great read. I have been doubting Thought Leadership as a term for a while now.. and this pointed exactly at some of the problems I have with it (and the gradual corruption). Thanks!
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 14/08/2026
Woop whoop 🥳
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 13/08/2026
Good to have you back! 🇧🇪
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 13/08/2026
Would love to learn more about both those ideas. 😊 maybe we can just host a JUG about these and see whay happens?
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Johan Vos @johanvos.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Looking for input/feedback from Java developers on 2 different topics: 1. Is there interest in a JavaFX workshop/conference/training in Belgium? 2. Is there interest in a gathering with fellow Java developers working on scientific topics (writing java code, not only using 3th party code) #java
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 22/07/2026
Explains a couple of thing 😉
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 19/07/2026
Pi is pretty good. Got some great results with very cheap models just by strapping them in that harness.
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Devoxx Belgium @devoxx.com · 13/07/2026
Anybody interested in submitting an "Agentic Loops / Workflows" Deep Dive or Conference session? 🔂 dvbe26.cfp.dev
dvbe26.cfp.dev
Call For Papers
The Call for Papers web app which allows authenticated users to submit talks and the program committee to review and rate them.
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 10/07/2026
Oh! Congratz Mathis!
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IntelliJ IDEA, a JetBrains IDE @intellijidea.com · 08/07/2026
The new edition of Java Annotated Monthly is live! 😎 This month, we are featuring content from @tomcools.be, plus a fresh roundup of the best reads across Java, Kotlin, AI, and other tech news👇 jb.gg/sf2lou
jb.gg
Java Annotated Monthly – July 2026  - The JetBrains Blog
Welcome back to another edition of Java Annotated Monthly! As always, we've rounded up the best reads from across the ecosystem so you don't have to go hunting yourself. This month's lineup spans t
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 01/07/2026
Never thought I'd be one of those people holding my macbook open while boarding an airplane but here we are. Bye Lisbon, till next time! I make my escape to Belgian weather! 😅
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 25/06/2026
Alright @bejug.bsky.social #java user group friends. We normally take a break during the summer, but I think we can have a nice BBQ, drinks and Java documentary watching somewhere... who's in?! (other #jugs feel free to steal the idea 😊) www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jrK...
youtube.com
Write Once, Run Forever: The Java Story | Official Trailer | Full Film Coming July 17th
YouTube video by CultRepo
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 17/06/2026
Ok, so @pi.dev is pretty cool. It's great to be able to write deterministic code to steer my agents. Feels much smoother than the bash-y hooks and such from others. Also custom tool calls, easy peasy. I guess I know what my next conference talk is going to be about. 😅
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 16/06/2026
Looks a tiny bit like The Raft from Marvel movies (superhero prison). They finally got you hu?
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 15/06/2026
On my way to work, driving behind a truck with the following text on tailgate/doors. "We can see you are behind us... thank you for your support!" 😅 You're...welcome?
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Kim Fletcher @kimfletcher.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
When looking for tech events, hacks, & meetups, where do you go to find them? As the organiser of @virtualjug.bsky.social & launching a new dev event, I want to make sure we show up in the spaces you actually use. Let me know in the comments 👇
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 10/06/2026
The last Belgian #Java User Group before the summer stop is in the books! Thank you again to @oniryx.be for hosting us every year in June since we started! A big massive thank you to @glycin.bsky.social and @ted.dev for presenting #spring and #eventsourcing See you all after summer! ☀️
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 09/06/2026
First thing my kid says to me when he woke up: "Daddy, that's Duke on your tshirt" Proud dad moment. 😅 #java We have a @bejug.bsky.social event today, so was already wearing this.
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 08/06/2026
Life is a matter of perspective. Sometimes all you need to do is take a few steps to the side and what looked like "stop believing" turns out to say "never stop believing." ✨ Thank you Wintercircus Ghent (our Timefold homebase) for such a clear example that where you stand changes what you see. 🎪 😅
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 02/06/2026
😎
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 25/05/2026
🧐
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 13/05/2026
@lomagnette.bsky.social is in the lead for the June event, but we'd love to have you @ted.dev. will ask him to reach out if he hasn't already!
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 08/05/2026
Add them all to the dictionary. That's how I worked around the problem.
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 08/05/2026
Hehe @jqno.nl 😅
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Belgian Java User Group @bejug.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
BeJUG is back and we're coming to Ghent! 🇧🇪☕ Join us for two great talks: 🗄️ Event Sourcing with @hanneslowette.net 🎙️ The story behind JCast with Maarten Casteels Hosted by www.inetum.com/be/nl.html. Many thanks for hosting us again! 👉 RSVP (free): www.meetup.com/belgian-java... #Java #BeJUG
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 05/05/2026
See you soon! 🎉
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 04/05/2026
International adapters! Thanks for the reminder @devoxx.uk 😂
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 04/05/2026
Hi folks! If you are @devoxx.uk this week, i'd love to meet you there! Come to my session on "dealing with change" on wednesday, or just tap me on the shoulder for a nice conversation... i am bringing belgian! 🍫
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Trisha Gee @trishagee.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Job hunting as a developer is a nightmare, right? Tell me your stories of navigating the recruitment process as a dev looking for a job, and if you've been in the game for a while, tell me how it's changed lately (I want to use these stories on the Modern Software Engineering channel)
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 24/04/2026
Last Wednesday, we released the newest version of Timefold Solver, 2.0. It's a major version, which can look a bit scary. Upgraded 15 projects... time: under 10 minutes. 😊 Read about that experience here: timefold.ai/blog/timefol... Big thanks to Moderne for their work on #OpenRewrite. 😊
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Carly Richmond @carlyrichmond.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
I know first hand that it's scary to stand up and speak at a conference for the first time. That's exactly why we given them support to take to the stage at @devoxx.uk. If you're attending do come along and support these aspiring speakers!
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 10/04/2026
Had the same. Went with Docker Sandbox. Got good control over network and even saves Claude / Github tokens in a proxy outside the container. Agent can't even read those tokens. 😉 www.docker.com/products/doc...
docker.com
Docker Sandboxes | Sandboxes for Coding Agents | Docker
Secure sandboxes for Claude Code, Gemini, Codex, and Kiro. Run coding agents with microVM-based isolation.
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 10/04/2026
Why this jump?
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 07/04/2026
It's not because someone else built something or does something... you shouldn't do it. 😊 Big part of the value of building something is the path to the result, not just the result. But yes, do follow @brianvermeer.nl 😊
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Trisha Gee @trishagee.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Looking for work. Will DevRel for coffee or wine 😁
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 07/04/2026
A project I've wanted to build for a while, mainly to remind myself to submit talks to CFPs. - Get the data from javaconferences.org - Create a video with the data using Remotion Could be less obnoxious, but that's for the next iteration. 😇 #java #conferences
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Tom Cools @tomcools.be · 03/04/2026
Just a few more weeks until @devoxx.uk , where I will be presenting probably the most personal and important talk I have ever created, for the first time in the UK. Because yes, even Java Champions struggle with change. Give it a <3 on the companion app to not miss it: m.devoxx.com/events/devox...
m.devoxx.com
Braving the Change: recalibrating to new realities - Devoxx UK
By Tom Cools. ‘Change is the only constant in our industry’… but they never told us it would go this fast. With the recent evolutions in AI, ‘change’ has shifted from a ‘constant’ to something better ...
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Ronald Dehuysser @rdehuyss.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
When doing an employee schedule roster for 30 people, you end up with more possible combinations than atoms in the universe. Excellent talk by @tomcools.be at #VDC26!
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Loïc Magnette @lomagnette.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
🚀 2026 starts strong for @bejug.bsky.social! We’re back in Kortrijk with an amazing guest @agoncal.bsky.social Big thanks to Sweet Mustard for welcoming us in their brand-new offices 🍕 Food is on us 👉 Join the fun www.meetup.com/belgian-java...
meetup.com
BeJUG at Kortrijk: Build an AI-Infused Chat Bot with LangChain4j, Wed, Jan 21, 2026, 6:00 PM | Meetup
For the first BeJUG of 2026, we're heading back to Kortrijk! **Antonio Goncalves** will show us how to add intelligent conversational AI in your Java application! This pres
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