Ask HN: What percentage of code do you still write by hand?
11 comments
If you mean "without AI assistance", then 100%. But I use snippets and keyword-line-filename-etc. completion extensively, so… maybe 95%?
For me personally, I've gone from writing 100% in 2022 to 90% in 2023 to 60% in 2024.
In the last 3-4 months, I probably write less than 5% of the code I ship.
Something happened in the last 3-4 months. I guess it's a combination of models reaching an inflection point for agentic coding, cheaper tokens, and easier to access tools. The change for me was gradual at first then very sudden.
I mainly write Typescript, Go, and SQL.
In the last 3-4 months, I probably write less than 5% of the code I ship.
Something happened in the last 3-4 months. I guess it's a combination of models reaching an inflection point for agentic coding, cheaper tokens, and easier to access tools. The change for me was gradual at first then very sudden.
I mainly write Typescript, Go, and SQL.
0%.
My job isn’t as a programmer though. I used to write scripts “by hand” to automate processes and do other things to help me in my job. I liked the outcome not the act of coding. I’m a self-taught coder and it was sometimes slow going.
So it’s a no-brainer to me to hand it all over to AI.
Instead of being limited by my technical ability, I’m limited by how well I understand and can explain our business.
My job isn’t as a programmer though. I used to write scripts “by hand” to automate processes and do other things to help me in my job. I liked the outcome not the act of coding. I’m a self-taught coder and it was sometimes slow going.
So it’s a no-brainer to me to hand it all over to AI.
Instead of being limited by my technical ability, I’m limited by how well I understand and can explain our business.
Before ~ 2022 it was around 100%. Now it's about 1% and it's not code. I might open a bracket once in a while to get it to complete, but mostly I'm wearing out my SPACE, TAB, and ENTER. Using LLMs when it's cheap is similar to investing in bitcoin. LLM prices will only go up from here.
1% probably? i use claude or gemini in Cursor or Warp. it's a game changer. Now i can focus on stuff like research, architecting, marketing etc.
100%
100%
[deleted]
100%
in c++ & rust
0%
around 20%
I'm using Claude mainly, Gemini as Backup
I'm using Claude mainly, Gemini as Backup