FileMaker DevCast: Everything Claris FileMaker

Hosted by Portage Bay Solutions

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

The FileMaker Developer podcast, sponsored by Portage Bay Solutions, is the ultimate destination for developers looking to streamline their development process and rapidly deploy their solutions. Join our expert hosts as they delve into the latest techniques and tools for using Claris FileMaker’s low code platform to create custom, business-critical solutions with ease. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started, this podcast will provide valuable insights and inspiration to help you take your development skills to the next level. // Listen to the DevCast // PortageBay.com

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35 recent

October 14, 2026Episode 3556 min

Episode 35: Web App Workarounds and Design

What goes into building a great web app and when is a web app the right solution? We talk about web app design, development strategies, and the trade-offs involved in choosing the right tools.We also cover FileMaker integration, full-stack and hybrid approaches, WebDirect, UI/UX, security, and tools like Klai. Because AI-assisted development is changing the speed and cost of building web apps, solid requirements, testing, and human oversight still matter. Xandon's Web App: https://diplomare.com/

September 14, 2026Episode 3448 min

Episode 34: What We’ve Been Building: Web viewers and Javascript

This episode of the DevCast looks at how JavaScript, HTML, JSON, Web Viewers, and AI can work together to build more flexible and dynamic FileMaker solutions. A few of our devs walk us through real-world examples, like a multi-image upload and rotation tool and a dynamic dining room and table management interface.The conversation strides into a bigger question: How much do you really need to understand when AI is writing the code for you? Our devs discuss finding the right balance between letting AI handle the heavy lifting and understanding enough of what's happening under the hood to build, test, troubleshoot, and maintain a reliable solution.Multi-Image Upload Blog Pt. 1: https://www.portagebay.com/blog/multi-image-uploading-with-gallery-and-rotation-free-demo/Multi-Image Upload Blog Pt. 2: https://www.portagebay.com/blog/using-webviewers-to-add-functionality-for-field-technicians/

August 11, 2026Episode 3332 min

Episode 33: FileMaker 2026 Review: More Than Meets the Eye

It's been two months since FileMaker 2026 was released and our devs are still discovering. This episode, the team is looking into what the update really means for developers and the new features they’re most excited about: AI-assisted development possibilities, WebDirect improvements, layout enhancements, and more. They also discuss some of the quieter but valuable additions in FileMaker 2026, like improved field-name mapping for imports, new PDF commands, and expanded server-side functionality.A couple of our devs even share hands-on experiments with using AI and XML to rebuild and modify solutions and where the current limitations start to show up with larger files.John's Blog Post: https://www.portagebay.com/blog/can-filemaker-2026-rebuild-a-file-clean-testing-generatedbfile/

July 28, 2026Episode 3244 min

Episode 32: The Intelligence Limits of Confidently Incorrect AI

In this episode of DevCast, our devs share their firsthand experiences using AI tools like Claude and Gemini for FileMaker development. They spotlight where they excel, where they fall short, and what developers need to watch out for. They cover AI hallucinating FileMaker functions and scripts, misinterpreting FileMaker Server logs, context window limitations, memory persistence, and the importance of verifying AI-generated code before putting it into production. They also discuss practical advice on improving AI-assisted workflows, using skills and agents, keeping conversations focused, building better prompts, and why testing is more important than ever in an AI-driven development process.

June 12, 2026Episode 3139 min

Episode 31: What We’ve Been Building: Web App Edition

In their spare time, John, Xandon, and Jacob have been creating personal web apps. John is creating a healthcare referral portal that easily and efficiently collects and processes referral submissions. Xandon is prepping for his kid's college days by having all the info they need, like planning, admissions, and athletic recruiting in one space. Jacob is making a homeschool learning platform for his daughter that helps him design personalized education plans for special-needs students.They share the ups and downs of their processes and lessons they've learned about full-stack development, SaaS products, subscriptions, AI-assisted coding, and turning personal challenges into practical software solutions.

May 26, 2026Episode 3034 min

Episode 30: Using ExecuteSQL: A Cautionary Tale

One little ExecuteSQL query can’t hurt… right? In this episode, the team unpacks the FileMaker performance issues hiding inside real-world solutions. Runaway SQL calls, invisible object calculations, and AI-generated code that looked smart until it brought everything to a crawl. They discuss debugging wins, optimization tips, and the kinds of “how did this even happen?” moments that every developer eventually runs into.

April 22, 2026Episode 2940 min

Episode 29: Claude Cowork, AI Linguistics, and 3D Printing

Welcome to an inside look at how our devs are testing out where AI can help versus hinder every day work conundrums. Our team's focus in this meeting is Claude Cowork, a tool designed to track everything within a specified local folder.As for team demonstrations and discussions, Xandon uses a plugin that parses FileMaker XML to generate web-based code reviews and actionable recommendations. Nick showcases a clever approach to token efficiency, using Python scripts to convert verbose XML data into a concise format that LLMs like Claude and Gemini can process with greater accuracy.Beyond development, the team shares their real-world applications of AI assistants, like John generating precise 3D printing step files based on scanned images and measurements.

February 5, 2026Episode 281 hr 3 min

Episode 28: Comparing Tools: FMPerception, BaseElements, 2empowerFM

The Portage Bay team sits down for a conversation about the tools and workflows that support their day-to-day work. Their discussion offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the devs approach problem-solving, collaboration, and efficiency as they kick off the year. The team dives into the systems and tools they use regularly, like FM Perception, Base Elements, and 2Empower which support code navigation, debugging, and understanding complex data flows. While each developer brings their own preferences and opinions on which systems work best, these different approaches help the team collaborate to effectively and consistently deliver well-built, reliable software.

December 15, 2025Episode 2758 min

Episode 27: Meet HAM - Another Option for FileMaker Permissions (with Charles Delfs)

We had the pleasure of hearing Charles Delfs break down HAM (Headless Authorization Module) as he showed us how this system transforms the way you manage roles, permissions, and feature access in FileMaker. Inheritance, overrides, and data-driven rules can replace brittle security setups and open use cases like feature flags, SaaS plans, and time-based access.

November 3, 2025Episode 2648 min

Episode 26: Click, Build, Deploy: FM BetterForms Updates Unwrapped

We’re diving into the latest updates to FM Better Forms and taking a closer look at one of our own client’s web apps built on the platform. We share what’s new in Better Forms and how we’ve used it to build modern, real-world web apps that bridge the gap between low-code speed and polished web performance while combating challenges like caching.