Head of Claude Code: What happens after coding is solved | Boris Cherny | Lenny's Podcast

Boris Cherny, head of Claude Code at Anthropic, discusses the rapid transformation of software engineering due to AI. He notes that Claude Code now authors 4% of all GitHub commits, a figure growing exponentially, and shares that he personally hasn't written code by hand since November. The conversation explores how AI is evolving from code generation to suggesting ideas and bug fixes, effectively becoming a "coworker." Cherny predicts the role of software engineer will evolve into "builder," emphasizing the importance of adapting to AI tools. He advises engineers to experiment with AI, embrace generalist skills, and build for future AI capabilities rather than current limitations, highlighting Anthropic's commitment to AI safety and open-source contributions.

Outlines

Part 1: Claude Code & Personal Mission

Part 2: AI Innovation & Engineering Workflow

Part 3: Principles for AI-Driven Teams

Part 4: Future Roles & The "Builder" Era

Part 5: Co-Work & Product Development

Part 6: Strategy & Practical Tips

Part 7: Personal Philosophy & Recommendations

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Head of Claude Code: What happens after coding is solved | Boris Cherny

Lenny's Podcast

Part 1: Claude Code & Personal Mission

00:00The Impact and Growth of Claude Code on Software Engineering and Anthropic

The Impact and Growth of Claude Code on Software Engineering and Anthropic

03:49Boris Cherny's Brief Departure and Return to Anthropic Due to Mission

Boris Cherny's Brief Departure and Return to Anthropic Due to Mission

05:35Claude Code's Rapid Growth and Impact on GitHub Commits

Claude Code's Rapid Growth and Impact on GitHub Commits

08:39Claude Code's Origins: From Terminal-Based Hack to Internal Hit

Claude Code's Origins: From Terminal-Based Hack to Internal Hit

11:33Claude Code's External Release and the Importance of User Feedback

Claude Code's External Release and the Importance of User Feedback

Part 2: AI Innovation & Engineering Workflow

13:44Exponential Growth and the Importance of Experimentation in AI Innovation

Exponential Growth and the Importance of Experimentation in AI Innovation

15:21Boris Cherny's Coding Workflow: 100% AI-Generated Code and Automatic Code Review

Boris Cherny's Coding Workflow: 100% AI-Generated Code and Automatic Code Review

17:24The Next Frontier: AI-Driven Idea Generation and Expanding Beyond Coding

The Next Frontier: AI-Driven Idea Generation and Expanding Beyond Coding

19:01Leveraging Claude for Product Management and Increased Engineering Productivity

Leveraging Claude for Product Management and Increased Engineering Productivity

21:29The Downside of Rapid AI Advancements: Overcoming Old Ways of Thinking

The Downside of Rapid AI Advancements: Overcoming Old Ways of Thinking

Part 3: Principles for AI-Driven Teams

23:59Principles for AI-Driven Teams: Underfunding and Encouraging Speed

Principles for AI-Driven Teams: Underfunding and Encouraging Speed

25:30Token Usage: Empowering Engineers with Unlimited Access for Innovation

Token Usage: Empowering Engineers with Unlimited Access for Innovation

27:56The Evolving Role of Coding: From Practical Tool to Tedious Task

The Evolving Role of Coding: From Practical Tool to Tedious Task

30:34Adapting to Change: The Inevitable Atrophy of Skills and the Future of Coding

Adapting to Change: The Inevitable Atrophy of Skills and the Future of Coding

32:27The Printing Press Analogy: Democratizing Software Development

The Printing Press Analogy: Democratizing Software Development

Part 4: Future Roles & The "Builder" Era

35:07AI's Impact on Adjacent Roles: Product Management, Design, and Data Science

AI's Impact on Adjacent Roles: Product Management, Design, and Data Science

37:51Addressing Job Loss Concerns and the Optimistic Vision of a Programmable World

Addressing Job Loss Concerns and the Optimistic Vision of a Programmable World

40:42Advice for Thriving in the AI Era: Experimentation, Generalism, and Curiosity

Advice for Thriving in the AI Era: Experimentation, Generalism, and Curiosity

42:29The Future of Team Roles: Blurring Lines and the Rise of the "Builder"

The Future of Team Roles: Blurring Lines and the Rise of the "Builder"

44:38Increased Job Satisfaction and the Power of Latent Demand

Increased Job Satisfaction and the Power of Latent Demand

Part 5: Co-Work & Product Development

47:29Co-Work's Origins: From Non-Technical Users Hacking Claude Code to Model-Driven Design

Co-Work's Origins: From Non-Technical Users Hacking Claude Code to Model-Driven Design

51:55Co-Work's Rapid Development and the Importance of Early Release for Learning

Co-Work's Rapid Development and the Importance of Early Release for Learning

54:30Anthropic's Three-Layered Approach to AI Safety: Alignment, Evals, and Real-World Testing

Anthropic's Three-Layered Approach to AI Safety: Alignment, Evals, and Real-World Testing

57:04Mechanistic Interpretability and Anthropic's Commitment to Open Source Safety

Mechanistic Interpretability and Anthropic's Commitment to Open Source Safety

59:36Managing Agent Anxiety and the Evolution of Coding

Managing Agent Anxiety and the Evolution of Coding

Part 6: Strategy & Practical Tips

1:01:15A Shared Ukrainian Heritage and the Value of Growing Up in America

A Shared Ukrainian Heritage and the Value of Growing Up in America

1:03:13Building AI Products: Avoiding Boxes and Embracing General Models

Building AI Products: Avoiding Boxes and Embracing General Models

1:05:02Building for the Future: Betting on the Model Six Months From Now

Building for the Future: Betting on the Model Six Months From Now

1:07:15Predicting Future AI Capabilities: Tool Use and Long-Term Execution

Predicting Future AI Capabilities: Tool Use and Long-Term Execution

1:09:13Pro Tips for Using Claude Code: Best Model, Plan Mode, and Interface Exploration

Pro Tips for Using Claude Code: Best Model, Plan Mode, and Interface Exploration

1:11:15Thoughts on Codex and the Importance of User-Focused Development

Thoughts on Codex and the Importance of User-Focused Development

Part 7: Personal Philosophy & Recommendations

1:12:13Boris Cherny's Post-AGI Plan: Making Miso and Embracing Long-Time Skills

Boris Cherny's Post-AGI Plan: Making Miso and Embracing Long-Time Skills

1:13:46Anthropic's Vision: From Coding to Computer Use and the Early Stages of AI

Anthropic's Vision: From Coding to Computer Use and the Early Stages of AI

1:15:21The Power of User Feedback and the Importance of Community

The Power of User Feedback and the Importance of Community

1:16:17Book Recommendations: Functional Programming, Sci-Fi, and Chinese Perspectives

Book Recommendations: Functional Programming, Sci-Fi, and Chinese Perspectives

1:18:15Sci-Fi's Influence and the Motivation Behind Joining Anthropic