Inside Claude Code: How an AI Native Team Actually Works | Cat Wu

In this interview, Cat Wu, the product lead for Claude Code, discusses the origins and development of the AI coding tool. She explains how Claude Code began as a side project to better understand Anthropic's APIs and evolved into a widely adopted tool, both internally and externally. Cat details the team's product principles, emphasizing simplicity, extensibility, and rapid iteration based on user feedback. She also touches on the team's workflow, the role of product management in AI tool development, and the importance of negative feedback. The conversation covers practical aspects such as managing user feedback, the limited use of traditional documentation, and the team's approach to evaluating and improving Claude Code's capabilities. Cat shares anecdotes about the team's culture, including a memorable experience with a sticker giveaway, and provides tips for users to maximize Claude Code's potential, highlighting the importance of customization and continuous feedback. Finally, she outlines the vision for Claude Code's future, focusing on expanding the SDK, growing the community, and making the tool more accessible to a broader audience beyond professional developers.