Spec driven development and building better software with AI agents

08/01/2026 41 min

Listen "Spec driven development and building better software with AI agents"

Episode Synopsis

Coding Chats episode 60 - John Crickett and Paul discuss the transformative impact of AI on software engineering, exploring topics such as spec-driven development, the importance of small batches, and the challenges of requirements gathering. They delve into the evolving role of AI tools, the need for effective communication, and the balance between productivity and code quality. The discussion also touches on the future of AI in development, the significance of ownership in coding, and the potential for specialized AI agents to enhance workflows. Paul shares valuable tips for leveraging AI in software engineering, emphasizing the importance of joy, working in small units, and maintaining humility in the face of rapid technological change.Chapters00:00 AI in Software Engineering: A New Era03:36 The Revelation of Prompt-Driven Development06:08 Spec-Driven Development vs. Waterfall09:16 The Importance of Small Batches in AI Development12:05 Ownership and Responsibility in AI-Generated Code14:57 The Challenges of Outsourcing and Communication in Software Development20:15 The Future of Programming and Communication23:38 AI Tools and Upstream Bottlenecks27:18 Understanding JetBrains' AI Integration31:40 User Experience and AI Interaction35:42 Opinionated Workflows in Software Development37:24 Finding Joy in AI-Assisted EngineeringPaul's Links:https://buildermethods.com/agent-osJohn's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysAI is revolutionizing software engineering practices.Spec-driven development formalizes the way we instruct AI agents.Small batches improve productivity and maintain context.Ownership of code is crucial for long-term success.Quality of code generated by AI is more important than quantity.Effective communication is key in AI-assisted development.Specialized AI agents will enhance the development process.JetBrains is evolving its tools to integrate AI effectively.Developers should find joy in their work, even with AI assistance.Humility is essential as we navigate the future of AI in programming.