Next.js Rebuild

Back to the workshop

v12.0 is the reset I needed to get back to direct, mechanic-level control. Going back to code also means I can now work directly with agents and build custom skills around how Thunderstorm is designed and maintained. The goal of this version was not to stack visible tricks, but to rebuild the machine so every surface can be shaped with intention. This release is about owning the details again and creating a stronger base for everything that comes next.

Content ownership and stack control

A key step in that direction was moving from Framer CMS to BaseHub. This gives me more direct control over how content is structured, rendered, and evolved over time, while keeping the website flexible as the project grows.

Theme customization as a system

The theme is now controlled through three core variables. Instead of styling decisions being scattered across the project, this creates a tighter customization system that can be tuned quickly and consistently, and that better reflects the "build it by hand" direction of Thunderstorm. On the visual side, I’m using OKLCH more intentionally to control color behavior with better precision, and even if I still love dark mode, a dedicated light mode for writing pieces is now part of the direction. More on that and overall tweak system later.

A broader "Now" page

The Now page has been expanded to feel more alive and more representative of what is actually in motion. It now includes: Now Watching, Now Listening, Now Reading. These three streams give a clearer picture of current references and influences.

Moodboard and feed refresh

This part of the rebuild introduces:

• dedicated moodboard controls

• a modal experience for more intentional browsing

• a brand-new feed page with extra material around shots

Small surprises across the site

This version also plants more easter eggs throughout the website. Some are subtle, some are playful, but all of them support the same idea: Thunderstorm should feel like a place to explore, not just a page to scroll.

What this unlocks next

v11.5 also prepares the ground for upcoming features, including:

• early access to selected updates

• more ways to react around content

• deeper participation layers over time

Those pieces are being staged progressively, and this release is the foundation that makes that rollout possible.

Building in public

Alongside the rebuild, I’m also documenting more of the process on video through Inside Thunderstorm, including experiments, adjustments, and mistakes along the way. I’m doing this for myself, and creating the kind of content I would have loved to watch 10 years ago.