Farhan Munim
Farhan Munim is a seasoned analyst and developer based in London, UK.
Posts by Farhan Munim
Infra, explained for people who already build things
More than seventy short chapters that give you the vocabulary and mental models engineers use when they talk about servers, networks, pipelines and architecture. Each one takes two or three minutes and links back to things you already run.
Hetzner Cloud — Complete Hosting Guide
From zero to multiple live websites on Hetzner Cloud, with Cloudflare DNS, WordPress, CloudPanel, and Coolify. Written for someone who has never touched a server before.
How I migrated from GA4 to self-hosting Umami on Coolify
Umami running on a Hetzner VPS through Coolify, tracking three sites, with five years of Google Analytics history rebuilt inside it – and everything I’d do differently.
Can we stop calling everyone a Finance Analyst?
Somewhere along the way, “Finance Analyst” stopped describing a specific role and started describing almost every role in finance. As someone who’s spent years working under variations of that title, I think we’ve got it wrong.
Docker cleanup commands to free up disk space on a VPS
Quick Docker commands I use to reclaim disk space on my VPS by removing unused images, containers, and build cache while keeping project volumes intact.
Workaround to get “Personal Macros” working
If you’ve tried using PERSONAL.XLSB in Excel, you may have noticed it doesn’t always load as expected. Quick Access Toolbar buttons appear, but they don’t do anything. This can happen for various reasons – Excel might silently skip loading the workbook, or it might conflict with settings.
How I got my Coolify VPS backing up to Synology NAS automatically
I wanted a simple, reliable way to back up everything on my Coolify server – config, projects, Docker volumes, WordPress files – to my Synology NAS every night. No exposed ports. No external services. Just a secure, private connection.
How to access your WordPress files via SFTP on a Coolify VPS
If you’re running WordPress through Coolify and need direct access to your files, SFTP is the simplest way to get in.
How to manage and pass env values into WordPress through Coolify
You want to store sensitive keys (like Turnstile site + secret keys) in environment variables, then expose them inside WordPress as constants — without hardcoding anything in your repo.
Increase WordPress limits on Coolify
If you’re running WordPress on Coolify (with Traefik as the reverse proxy), you may hit upload or memory limits when importing content or uploading large files. The fix is to append a few php_value directives to your .htaccess file using the built-in Coolify terminal.
My WordPress setup checklist (clean, fast, and secure every time)
A fresh WordPress install works – but it’s not clean, not optimised, and definitely not secure.
How I successfully export media with selected (post) content
If your WordPress posts import fine but media doesn’t, Cloudflare might be blocking it without telling you.
A simple way I check for internet access in VBA
Every now and then, I need to know whether a machine actually has internet access before doing anything else. Usually that’s before calling an API, syncing data, or pulling something external that would otherwise just… hang. There are a few ways to approach this, but I tend to keep it very simple.
A quick update – new chapter, new goals
It’s been a minute since my last post, so I wanted to check in and share what’s been happening behind the scenes. The past few months have been some of the busiest of my life – but all for good reason.
Add subtle grid lines behind your website content with CSS
Add a clean developer-style grid behind your layout using pure CSS. Learn how to use body::before with gradients for a responsive, minimal background.
If you’re in the UK right now, you probably need a VPN
Feeling watched online? Here’s why a VPN has gone from “useful” to essential in the UK – and which ones I actually trust.
How to exclude latest post from filtered list (just like the Raycast blog)
When building a blog layout in WordPress with Bricks Builder, you might want to show the latest post as a featured post and then list all other posts below it. The challenge is excluding the most recent post from the second query while keeping filters and pagination intact. This guide shows the simplest way to handle this using two queries.
Solved: Bricks error “Error No postId provided!”
Randomly got an “Error No postId provided!” error in Bricks? Here’s a workaround!
Group Bricks posts by category (loop)
Here are the queries required to list your Bricks post loop items, grouped by category!
How to conditionally enqueue WordPress scripts and styles
Serve only the assets you need on each page, slash load times, and boost core web vitals with a compact conditional-enqueue pattern any theme can adopt.
Automate your WordPress setup with a reusable child theme
A WordPress child theme is more than just a place to write custom CSS. With a well-structured blueprint theme, you can automate site settings, disable comments, clean the admin UI, and more. Here’s how I use a blueprint child theme to streamline every new build.
I tried Hostinger and cancelled within the hour!
My WordPress hosting renewal was coming up, so I did what most people would do – I searched for the best value hosting options. Time and time again, one name kept surfacing: Hostinger.
A New Layer of WordPress Security: Cloudflare WAF Rules v3 by Troy
If you’re serious about WordPress security and especially if you’re running client sites, there’s a tool I’ve recently added to my stack that deserves your attention: the Cloudflare WAF Rules v3 from Web Agency Hero.
Solved: ROG Armoury Crate button and system controls not working
Here’s how I got my ROG button to launch Armoury Crate as it’s supposed to and also get the system controls working!
Remember active nested tab in Bricks
Want to ensure a clicked Bricks (nestable) tab is still “clicked” (active) on page refresh? Here’s my simple JS solution!
Accessing your HikVision NVR in a browser
Learn how to access your HikVision NVR directly through your browser using HikVision’s recommended method and also an alternative.
Uptime Robot + WordPress
Here’s how I integrated Uptime Robot API with WordPress to automate website uptime monitoring, achieve unlimited data retention, and display statuses effortlessly.
Introducing ACCA SBL Mentor GPT: Your Strategic Business Leader Study Partner
Struggling with ACCA Strategic Business Leader (SBL) exam prep? Meet ACCA SBL Mentor GPT—a tailored tool designed to guide you through complex concepts, case studies, and exam techniques. Simplify your study journey today!
CSS-Only Fluid Typography Generator
Want your website’s text to look perfect on any screen? This guide will show you how to use my CSS-only fluid typography generator. Just copy and paste the code, tweak a few values, and you’re good to go!
Minimal theme toggle in Bricks Builder (another YouTube video)
Since posting the last video on YouTube, I have received over 50 messages about creating a video for a minimal theme toggle for the site. Well here’s the video!
My first YouTube video — a minimal Framer portfolio rebuilt in Bricks
Yes, really! For my first YouTube video, I decided to rebuild the Dusk Framer Portfolio Template by Mateusz Nieckarz . Check it out here:
How to set up a custom domain email with Cloudflare and iCloud+
Setting up a custom domain email with iCloud+ and Cloudflare is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to get started…
Solved: How to boot into Installation Media USB on ASUS ROG X13 laptop
Most other devices require you to press one of the function key at a certain time or even disable some options, fortunately the X13 is extremely easy to get into the boot menu.
List all post categories with post count
Here’s a quick snippet to list all WordPress post categories and the number of posts within the categories.
Add Cloudflare Turnstile to WordPress login without plugins
Looking to enhance your WordPress login, registration, and password recovery pages with Cloudflare’s Turnstile CAPTCHA to combat spam? Here’s a straightforward way to do it using a simple code snippet!
Solved: How to set a new Screenshot folder in Windows if deleted or moved
Accidentally deleted or moved your Windows Screenshots folder and now can’t automatically save screenshots? Here’s a great fix!
Solved: Where are LocalWP Blueprints saved? (Windows)
Want to manually back up your LocalWP blueprints? Here’s where to find it on Windows!
How to get your Siteground email account working with Cloudflare domain
Here’s a quick guide on how to make sure you can send and receive emails from your new custom email address created with Siteground and Cloudflare domain.
Solved: Can’t see light grey colours on Windows 11
Noticed you cannot see light grey colours in Windows all of a sudden? Here are 2 fixes for you to try!
Disable all WordPress automatic updates
Want to disable automatic WordPress core, plugin, and theme updates to make sure your website doesn’t break after a new update? Here’s how!
Expanding button menu on scroll
I came across this really cool expanding button menu on scroll on the Assemble site and thought I’d try to re-create it with Bricks…here it is!
WordPress post views count — without plugins
Want to easily add unique (human) post view counts somewhere in your blog without using any plugins? Also want it to start at a specific number? Well look no further!
Return post’s custom field value inside of a loop
Have you wanted to output the value of a post’s custom field from the back-end into the front-end, such as an an SVG code or a URL? Here’s how!
Toggle-view selector in Bricks Builder (CSS only)
This is an excellent CSS only solution when used alongside Brick’s pagination element with AJAX. This means that the selected view style remains the same even when flicking through the pagination.
Output most recent field entry by logged-in user for Bricks saved submission
Need to return the most recent field entry of a form submission for a specific field and for the current logged-in user? Here’s the code!
Output Bricks form submission count
Writing a function which depends on the count of a Bricks Builder form submission? Here’s how to get the count thanks to Jenn Lee from the Bricks team!
Enable dev mode for Cloudflare Turnstile
Have Cloudflare Turnstile enabled on your site but want to bypass the actual authorisation process whilst you’re still developing?
Solved: “Publishing failed. The response is not a valid JSON response” error on WordPress
Have you recently installed WordPress and tried to create a new page only to be greeted by “Publishing failed. The response is not a valid JSON response”? Here’s how to fix it!
An awesome (free) way to organise your code!
Wondered how to organise your CSS easily and other custom code without using a paid code editor plugin or any plugin at all? Well, here’s a great, free way you can!
Organise your wp-admin menus without plugins!
If you’re like me and don’t use many of the wp-admin menu links or simply want to have your most used links in 1 place, you can use this post to learn how to do just that without any extra plugins or “hacks”.
Solved: LocalWP stuck on Downloading WordPress loop
Many users like myself have ran into the never-ending “Downloading WordPress” screen in LocalWP. As of Version 8.2.1+6583, there is still no official fix for this but I after testing everything listed in the Community page and what I could think of, I found something that works!
Simple WordPress function to check current “page” type
If you need a way to check the current page type to set some conditional functionality (such as using Bricks Builder Conditions), here’s a useful snippet!
Bricks Filter + Conditions = Undefined?
Tried to use a Bricks filter with which has Conditions applied to it but showing up as “undefined”? Here’s a fix as of 1.9.6.1.
My default Bricks Builder settings
Here are my Bricks Builder settings for fresh installs.
How to increase file size limits and execution times
Want to increase the file upload size or execution times? Here’s an easy way!
How to increase WordPress memory limit
Want to easily increase the WordPress memory limit? Here’s the proper way to do it.
How to fix “the link you followed has expired” error
Did you get a “the link you followed has expired” error after trying to upload theme in WordPress? Here’s what caused my issue and how I fixed it!
Solved-ish: Balloon.css renders only when logged in
Notice Balloon.css tooltips only render when logged into WordPress, but not anytime else? Here’s a workaround!
Return current post’s tags except a specific tag
Want to output all tags of a post except for a specific tag? Use this snippet to do just that!
Automatically return the current year for your footer copyright text in Bricks
Have you ever come across a website where the year in the copyright disclaimer has elapsed? Well that won’t happen to you!