Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about my work, approach, and how to collaborate. For more detail on specific topics, explore the topic hubs or blog.
This site is where I write about agentic engineering, production AI systems, and the occasional deep dive into hockey analytics. Over time, certain questions come up repeatedly—about how I approach problems, what tools I use, or why I build particular systems.
The answers below reflect how I think about these topics now. They'll likely evolve as I learn more. If something isn't covered here, the rest of the site—especially the articles and projects—probably addresses it in more depth.
I've organised the FAQ into four sections: who I am and what this site is for, how I think about agentic engineering, what kinds of projects I take on, and practical details about working together. Each answer includes links to relevant articles or topic pages for deeper exploration.
About the Site & Direction
Who is Emil Karlsson?
I'm an agentic engineer based in Stockholm, Sweden. I build data pipelines that feed AI agents, MCP infrastructure that connects tools and models, and production AI systems that run autonomously. This site documents that work—agentic workflows, modern data stacks, workflow automation, and occasionally hockey analytics.
What is this site about?
This site serves as both a portfolio and a thinking space. I write about projects I've built, technical approaches I've explored, and systems I find interesting. The focus tends to be on practical implementation—how things actually work, not how they're supposed to work. If you're curious about the topics I cover, the Topics page organizes everything by area.
How I Think and Work
What is your approach to agentic engineering?
I focus on production systems that agents can run reliably—not prototypes. That means trustworthy data pipelines, MCP-connected tooling, observability, and human-in-the-loop where it matters. Under the hood I use Databricks and medallion architecture when scale demands it, or lean self-hosted stacks when speed and cost matter. See agentic engineering, the modern data stack, and workflow automation for deeper dives.
What technical stack do you use?
For agentic infrastructure: n8n, MCP, LiteLLM, OpenClaw, Paperclip, Claude, Coolify on Hetzner. For data: Python, Databricks, Snowflake, SQL, Qdrant, Postgres/MinIO. For web: Astro, React, and TypeScript. The toolstack page lists everything I actively use, organized by category.
What is your expertise in hockey analytics?
I use AI and machine learning to analyze NHL data, looking for patterns that aren't immediately obvious. Some of this work has involved predicting championship outcomes, analyzing referee bias patterns, and optimizing equipment physics. The hockey analytics section has the deeper dives. I'm particularly interested in how Swedish NHL players perform and what data reveals about their game.
What I Offer
What does your agentic engineering offering include?
Everything you can build with agentic engineering: self-hosted infrastructure and MCP, agents and orchestration, data pipelines and RAG for agents, autonomous content and ops workflows, plus architecture, security, and retainer support. The full breakdown is on the consulting page.
How do I get started with agentic engineering?
There is a clear path on Get started: (1) free intro call via contact, (2) paid Agentic Engineering Discovery (2 500 kr SEK) with a written roadmap, (3) 5 500 kr starter stack — Hetzner + Coolify + n8n + LiteLLM, (4) scoped projects or retainer from 17 500 kr. All engagement prices are in SEK. You do not need an existing AI team.
About the Projects
What kind of projects do you take on?
I work on projects where agentic systems, data pipelines, or modern web development are central. This includes building production AI agents, autonomous content pipelines, conversational analytics, and self-hosted agent stacks. The projects and case studies sections show examples.
Do you build production AI agents and automation?
Yes — that is core to agentic engineering. I build n8n workflows, MCP-connected agents, data pipelines for agents, and autonomous ops. Examples: website AI agents, proactive data agents, and content pipelines. See the full offering.
Practical Questions
How can I work with you?
You can reach out through the contact form or connect via LinkedIn. I prefer starting with a conversation about what you're trying to solve rather than jumping straight into scoping. This helps ensure we're aligned on the problem before discussing solutions.
Are you available for remote work?
Yes. I work with clients globally and am based in Stockholm (Nacka), Sweden. Remote collaboration is the default, though I can work on-site when it makes sense for the project.
What should I read first?
That depends on what you're curious about. If you're interested in workflow automation, start with the n8n vs Zapier comparison. For AI agents, the guide to building an AI agent covers the full stack. For hockey analytics, the referee bias analysis is a good entry point. The Topics page organizes everything if you want to explore by theme.
Do you work with startups or only enterprises?
Both. I've worked with early-stage startups needing lean, cost-effective data solutions—often combining n8n, cloud data warehouses, and open-source tooling—and with larger organisations with established stacks. The common thread is projects where data, automation, or modern web development are central. Startups often benefit from my experience in building quickly without over-engineering; enterprises benefit from architecture reviews and integration work.
What formats do you offer for collaboration?
Free intro call, Agentic Engineering Discovery (2 500 kr SEK + roadmap), 5 500 kr starter stack, fixed-scope projects (from 17 500 kr), and retainer (from 17 500 kr/month). See ways to work together. Contact for intro or starter; work with me for discovery.
Have a specific question?
If something isn't addressed here, feel free to reach out. I'm always open to discussing technical challenges, new projects, or ideas worth exploring.
Get In Touch