Coding at work (after a decade away)
2 days ago
- #AI Coding Tools
- #CTO
- #Management
- The author, a CTO, has merged 104 pull requests in six months, more than in the past decade.
- Manager coding's value is debated; it can be less impactful than other managerial tasks like hiring or planning.
- Understanding a codebase deeply requires writing software, which is challenging for managers with limited time.
- AI tools like Claude Code and OpenAI Codex help managers contribute code in small time pockets.
- Effective use of AI for coding involves learning its nuances and the specific codebase's patterns.
- Managers should choose coding tasks wisely, avoiding time-sensitive projects and focusing on long-term value.
- Rules for manager coding include prioritizing non-urgent projects and holding oneself to high release standards.
- The overhead of writing software at work has decreased with new AI tools, making it more accessible for managers.