CI Optimization: Built-In Flags You're Probably Not Using
Long CI times slowing down your development workflow?
Many teams assume improving CI performance requires new infrastructure, expensive tools, or major changes to their workflow.
But in many cases, the tools you're already using include built-in flags that can significantly reduce CI time — they're just often overlooked.
In this talk, Emily Xiong (Software Developer @ StackAdapt) will share how small configuration changes in common JavaScript tooling can lead to meaningful CI speedups, faster feedback loops, and a better developer experience.
The core idea is simple: you can often reduce CI time significantly without adding new infrastructure, SaaS, or complex changes.
Most JavaScript tooling already includes flags for caching, concurrency, and smarter execution. The real challenge isn't availability — it's awareness and correct setup in CI environments.
Emily will walk through practical examples using tools many teams already rely on, including:
ESLint
Jest
Playwright
Next.js
If you work on large codebases, monorepos, or pipelines that take longer than you'd like, this talk will show how small adjustments to existing tooling can make a big difference.
About the Speaker
Emily Xiong is a software engineer with 10+ years of experience building and scaling products in enterprise environments. She's experienced the industry’s ups and downs (including layoffs), which has shaped her resilience and focus on continuous growth.
Emily is particularly passionate about developer experience, tackling challenges like large monorepos and long CI times. She stays closely tuned to developments in AI, both excited and a little cautious about where the industry is heading, and she enjoys blogging to explore ideas and share what she's learning.
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Event Sponsor
This event is sponsored by BrainStation.
BrainStation is a global leader in digital skills training and workforce transformation. Founded in 2012, BrainStation has certified over 35,000 professionals and worked with some of the largest companies in the world through cutting-edge digital skills training delivered online and in person from campuses in New York, London, and Toronto.
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