Nick Perkins

Platform Engineer. Volunteer Motorsport Official. ADHD Brain. Bit of a nerd.

Building Interactive MCP Tools with Elicitations: A Practical Guide

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is revolutionising how we build AI tools, but a powerful new features recently added to the protocol will be a game changer: elicitations. These enable your MCP tools to have interactive conversations with users, gathering input dynamically rather than requiring all parameters upfront. Let me show you how to build engaging, interactive MCP tools using a practical ice cream topping recommender as our example. What Are MCP Elicitations? Continue reading

How I Built Interactive AI-Powered Training with GitHub Copilot

One of my current projects is a migration from Azure DevOps to GitHub Actions. I saw a challenge: how to effectively train DevOps teams on new tools in an engaging, practical way? Traditional docs and tutorials often miss the mark. So, I experimented: using GitHub Copilot’s Agent Mode to build an interactive, AI-powered training platform. The result was a self-paced, conversational learning experience, guiding users through complex migration scenarios like having an AI tutor. Continue reading

Failure MUST be an option for innovation

This week I hosted a brown bag session at work where I explored the idea that failure isn’t something to be avoided at all costs but must be a safe option for software engineering teams. The concept of failure often carries a negative connotation. However, embracing failure as an option can foster an environment of learning, innovation, and psychological safety. Let’s explore this by looking at the benefits this shift in mindset can bring, and the elements required to create a culture where failure is seen as a stepping stone to success. Continue reading

ORAS for Configuration Management

A challenge for any engineering team is handling configuration management in a secure and efficient way. Recently, I’ve explored using ORAS (OCI Registry As Storage), a tool which enhances OCI (Ope Container Initiative) registries by enabling them to store various artifacts, not just container images. What is ORAS? ORAS is an open source project which builds tools and libraries to enable using OCI registries to store any type of artifact, not just container images. Continue reading

No matter how you’re feeling today, even the darkest clouds have silver linings.

If you are struggling, reach out. You’re not a burden, I promise.

Nick Perkins

Managing a Motorsport Club - My Initial Thoughts

Last year, I decided to run for a position on the management committee of the motorsport club I’m a member of. It has been eye-opening to see what goes on to run a club with around 100 members. Here’s a few things I’ve learned over the last 9 months. It’s a thankless task You’re damned if you do, and you’re damned if you don’t. You won’t keep everyone happy, and you just have to try and do the best job you can do. Continue reading

Motorsport Officiating

A part of my life that I haven’t written about before is my volunteer motorsport officiating. I’ve loved motorsport for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are watching the Bathurst 1000 or the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix from Adelaide on television. My parents were not motorsport nuts, but I did go to the Gold Coast Indy 300 in the early 1990s. We would often drive past Surfers Paradise International Raceway and the little Go-Kart track there, but we were always going somewhere else. Continue reading
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