How can I use my 1:1 time with my manager better ?

great question! I plan to make a detailed course about effective 1:1s in the future (of which the manager 1:1 is the most important). In the meantime, I'll point you to an older masterclass that Alex and I put together which has critical points: [Masterclass] How To Have Impactful 1 on 1 Meetings

• Be Proactive: Come into each meeting with a few topics you want to talk about
• Write it down: Keep a running notes doc of what you've discussed, and what the follow-ups are. This is great for accountability and also to remember what you discussed in the past.
• Ask for feedback: In a manager 1:1 in particular, you should be aggressive about asking for feedback. One thing you could try is to end each meeting with: "Is there anything I should start or stop doing going forward?"

See also this YouTube video I made about the power of "Awkward 1:1s": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADWkkJtZna4

You mention that your manager is not technical. So they may not be able to give you much guidance on your code, but they should be able to provide guidance on things like strategy, hiring, product, etc.

Figure out their superpower and ask about that. For areas where your manager is not as strong, ask them for recommendations on who you could talk to.