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Nobody knows how to build with AI yet

worksonmymachine.substack.com

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Re: Nobody knows how to build with AI yet

#311

Post by gngoo »

To me it feels like I’m in the camp of people who has already figured it out. And I have now learned the hard way that it’s almost impossible to teach others (I organized several meetups on the topic).

The ability seems like pure magic. I know that there are others who have it very easy now building even complex software with AI and delivering project after project to clients at record speed at no less of quality as they did before. But the majority of devs who won’t even believe that it’s remotely possible to do so is also not helping this style of building/programming mature.

I wouldn’t even call it vibe coding anymore. I think the term hurts what it actually is. For me it’s just a huge force multiplier, maybe 10-20x of my ability to deliver with my own knowledge and skills on a web dev basis.

Re: Nobody knows how to build with AI yet

#312

Post by lrhegeba »

yoyohello13 wrote: post #223
saadatq wrote: post #177

this isn’t vibe coding. This is something completely new. I call it “flex coding.” heck I built a full app in an afternoon AND I was a good dad? > I'd wander into my office, check what Claude had built, test it real quick. If it worked, great! Commit and push. "Now build the server connection UI," I'd say, and wander back out. Made breakfast. Claude coded. Played with my son. Claude coded. Watched some TV. Claude cod…

So like, why would I pay someone to work like this? Or why would I pay for software at all when I could just do this myself?

consider it like this: you are not paying the amount of worked hours but for the expertise to judge, coach and guide the AI and its output according to your wishes. so if the result is good and within time and budget, why would you care?

Re: Nobody knows how to build with AI yet

#314

Post by Sammi »

gngoo wrote: post #311

To me it feels like I’m in the camp of people who has already figured it out. And I have now learned the hard way that it’s almost impossible to teach others (I organized several meetups on the topic). The ability seems like pure magic. I know that there are others who have it very easy now building even complex software with AI and delivering project after project to clients at record speed at no less of quality as…

It's just hard to believe something is real when it's not reproducible.

Re: Nobody knows how to build with AI yet

#315

Post by dustingetz »

gngoo wrote: post #311

To me it feels like I’m in the camp of people who has already figured it out. And I have now learned the hard way that it’s almost impossible to teach others (I organized several meetups on the topic). The ability seems like pure magic. I know that there are others who have it very easy now building even complex software with AI and delivering project after project to clients at record speed at no less of quality as…

your problem domain is greenfield freelancing if i am reading you correctly?

The tarpit of AI discussion is that everybody assumes that their local perspective is globally applicable. It is not.

Re: Nobody knows how to build with AI yet

#316

Post by m_fayer »

gngoo wrote: post #311

To me it feels like I’m in the camp of people who has already figured it out. And I have now learned the hard way that it’s almost impossible to teach others (I organized several meetups on the topic). The ability seems like pure magic. I know that there are others who have it very easy now building even complex software with AI and delivering project after project to clients at record speed at no less of quality as…

I feel like I’m in your camp, to my own surprise.

I’ll try my hand at some guidelines: the prime directive would be “use the right ai tool for the right task”. Followed by “use a statically typed language”. Followed by “express yourself precisely in English. You need to be able to write like a good technical lead and a good product manager.”

With those out of the way:

Completions work when you’re doing lots of rote moderately difficult work within established patterns. Otherwise, turn them off, they’ll get in the way. When they do work, their entire point is to extend your stamina.

Coding agents work when at-worst a moderately novel vertical needs implementation. New architecture and patterns need to be described exhaustively with accurate technical language. Split up the agents work into the same sort of chunks that you would do between coffee breaks. Understand that while the agent will make you 5x faster, you’ll still need to put in real work. Get it right the first time. Misuse the agent and straightening out the mistakes will cost more time than if you hadn’t used the agent at all.

If novelty or complexity is high, use an advanced reasoning model as interactive documentation, a sparring partner, and then write the code by hand. Then ask the reasoning model to critique your code viciously. Have the reasoning model configured for this role beforehand.

These things together have added up to the biggest force multiplier I’ve encountered in my career.

I’m very much open to other heuristics.

Re: Nobody knows how to build with AI yet

#317

Post by m_fayer »

nirvanatikku wrote: post #9

This article is spot on. I had stumbled upon Kidlin’s Law—“If you can write down the problem clearly, you’re halfway to solving it”. This is a powerful guiding principle in today’s AI-driven world. As natural language becomes our primary interface with technology, clearly articulating challenges not only enhances our communication but also maximizes the potential of AI. The async approach to coding has been most fasc…

Because I can never focus on just one thing, I have a philosophy degree. I’ve worked with product teams and spent lots of time with stakeholders. I’ve written tons of docs because I was the only one on the team who enjoyed it.

I’ve always bemoaned my distractibility as an impediment to deep expertise, but at least it taught me to write well, for all kinds of audiences.

Boy do I feel lucky now.

Re: Nobody knows how to build with AI yet

#318

Post by real-hacker »

Sammi wrote: post #314
gngoo wrote: post #311

To me it feels like I’m in the camp of people who has already figured it out. And I have now learned the hard way that it’s almost impossible to teach others (I organized several meetups on the topic). The ability seems like pure magic. I know that there are others who have it very easy now building even complex software with AI and delivering project after project to clients at record speed at no less of quality as…

It's just hard to believe something is real when it's not reproducible.

The spec, or prompts system, whatever you call it, is more like a recipe than code. It doesn't automatically generate the dishes; a good cook is still needed.

Re: Nobody knows how to build with AI yet

#319

Post by Sammi »

real-hacker wrote: post #318
Sammi wrote: post #314

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's just hard to believe something is real when it's not reproducible.

The spec, or prompts system, whatever you call it, is more like a recipe than code. It doesn't automatically generate the dishes; a good cook is still needed.

Yes and culinary schools exist and create new cooks in a reproducible way. Why can't coding with ai be taught?

Re: Nobody knows how to build with AI yet

#320

Post by JohnKemeny »

pkoird wrote: post #218
d00mB0t wrote: post #38

"I'd wander into my office, check what Claude had built, test it real quick. If it worked, great! Commit and push." Man, I'm going to make so much money as a Cybersecurity Consultant!

Potentially. But also remember what they say about self-driving cars, that it'd make fewer and fewer mistakes than a real driver.

Tesla drivers are involved in more accidents than drivers of any other brand.
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