17 Feb 2026
50m

Inside Claude Code With Its Creator Boris Cherny

Podcast cover

Y Combinator Startup Podcast

Boris Cherny, creator of Claude Code, discusses the evolution and impact of AI-assisted coding. Cherny emphasizes the importance of building for future AI model capabilities rather than the present, advocating for adaptability and continuous rewriting of code. He recounts the accidental origins of Claude Code as a terminal application, driven by the need to experiment with Anthropic's API and tool use. The conversation highlights the surprising usefulness of the terminal interface and the principle of latent demand in product development, exemplified by the creation of CloudMD. Cherny also touches on the shift towards AI-driven automation in software engineering, where models like Claude are increasingly capable of handling tasks such as code review, bug fixing, and even direct communication with users.

Outlines

Part 1: Origins and Philosophy

Part 2: Product Development and User Behavior

Part 3: Hiring and Engineering Talent

Part 4: Advanced Agent Workflows

Part 5: Building for the Future

Part 6: Design, Productivity, and Outlook

Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.

Open full episode in Podwise