How We Build Software 10x Faster With AI

Handwritten code is becoming like assembly language.

Programmers used to write assembly by hand. Low-level instructions that computers actually execute. Now compilers generate it. Nobody touches it anymore.

That’s where all code is heading. And we’re already there.

We don’t write code. We work through an AI agent that writes, edits, and iterates on our behalf. Most people are still copy-pasting ChatGPT snippets into their editor. That’s not AI-assisted development—that’s using AI as a fancy search engine.

What Actually Changed

This doesn’t make engineers less valuable—it makes good engineers more valuable. The skills that matter now are architecture, system design, understanding tradeoffs, knowing what to build.

The mechanical skill of typing syntax? That’s the part being automated. And when you stop typing, you remove yourself as the bottleneck.

How We Actually Work

We use agentic AI tools like Claude Code. Here’s the workflow:

I describe what I want. Not code—intent. “Add a contact form that validates email and sends to our API.”

The AI implements it. It writes the component, the validation logic, the API call. It creates or modifies whatever files are needed.

I review the output. Not line by line, but functionally. Does this do what I asked? Did it follow our patterns?

I give feedback. “The error messages should be more specific. Add a loading state to the button.”

The AI iterates. It makes the changes. I review again.

This loop—describe, generate, review, feedback—runs 10x faster than typing code yourself. The AI handles the mechanical work. I focus on what to build and whether it’s right.

The 6-Step Process

Step 0: Research

Before building anything, I write a research prompt. One detailed question about what we’re trying to solve.

I run this through multiple AI systems—ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini. Each brings different perspectives. I’m looking for the best approach, not just an answer.

Step 1: Synthesis

I compare the responses. What do they agree on? Where do they conflict? I pick the best ideas and resolve the contradictions.

This happens through conversation with the AI too. “Here are three approaches I’m considering. What are the tradeoffs?”

Step 2: Architecture

I describe the system design in plain language. Components, data flow, key decisions. This becomes a reference document the AI uses for context.

I don’t write this in a vacuum—I work through it with the AI, asking questions, refining the design.

Step 3: Dev Plan

Break the work into phases. Each phase has a clear deliverable. “Phase 1: Database schema. Phase 2: API endpoints. Phase 3: Frontend components.”

The AI helps structure this too. “Given this architecture, what’s the right order to build these pieces?”

Step 4: Execution

Here’s where the acceleration happens. For each phase:

1. I give the AI the context (architecture doc, current codebase)
2. I describe what needs to happen
3. The AI writes the code, creates files, modifies existing code
4. I review the changes
5. I give feedback, AI iterates
6. Repeat until it’s right

I never open a file to type code. I review diffs, run tests, check functionality. The AI handles all the file manipulation.

Step 5: Validation

Test against the original requirements. Does it solve the problem we defined in Step 0?

If something’s wrong, I don’t fix it myself. I describe the issue: “The form submits but doesn’t show a success message.” The AI diagnoses and fixes.

Why This Is 10x Faster

You’re no longer the typist. The AI generates code faster than any human can type.

You’re no longer the syntax expert. The AI handles language details. You focus on logic.

You catch issues earlier. Reviewing generated code is faster than debugging code you wrote from memory.

Iteration is instant. “Change this to use a dropdown instead” takes seconds, not minutes.

You work at the level of intent. Instead of thinking about semicolons, you think about user experience.

The Real Secret

The process isn’t secret. Anyone can follow these steps.

The advantage is actually doing it. Most developers can’t let go of the keyboard. They feel like they need to type code to be “really” programming.

We got over that. The result is shipping production systems in days that would take weeks the old way.

Try It

Next time you’re building something:

1. Don’t open your editor first
2. Open Claude Code (or similar agentic tool)
3. Describe what you want to build
4. Let it implement
5. Review and give feedback
6. Iterate until it’s right

You’ll be surprised how fast you can move when you stop typing and start directing.