How I use Claude Code: Separation of planning and execution (boristane.com)

Article summary

The article describes a workflow for using Claude Code, an AI coding tool, by separating planning and execution to produce better results. The author uses a written plan, reviewed and approved before implementation, to prevent wasted effort and ensure control over architecture decisions. This approach involves a research phase, a planning phase with annotation cycles, and an implementation phase with feedback. The workflow is designed to leverage the strengths of both human judgment and AI capabilities.

Main themes

• AI coding tools
• workflow and productivity
• code quality and maintainability
• human-AI collaboration
• software development methodology
• accountability and liability

What commenters say

• Some developers find that using AI coding tools with a planning phase can significantly improve productivity and code quality.
• Others argue that for experienced developers, writing code themselves is often faster and more efficient than using AI tools, even with planning.
• The use of AI coding tools requires a different approach to maintainability, with some arguing that AI-generated code can be more maintainable than human-written code if properly reviewed and specified.
• There is disagreement over the ability of AI tools to develop complex systems correctly, with some citing the importance of human review and oversight.
• Some commenters believe that AI coding tools can be a competitive advantage, but this advantage may come at the cost of transparency and accountability.
• Others argue that the use of AI coding tools does not eliminate the need for human responsibility and liability in software development.
• The effectiveness of AI coding tools depends on the quality of the planning and specification phase, with clear and deterministic plans being essential for good results.
• There is a split between developers who find reviewing AI-generated code to be more draining than writing code themselves, and those who find the opposite to be true.