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Writing code is cheap now

sourceSimon Willison
calendar_todayFebruary 23, 2026
schedule2 min read
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Embracing the Shift: The New Economics of Code Writing

Summary

The article discusses how the advent of coding agents has drastically reduced the cost of writing code, challenging traditional engineering practices and prompting the need for new habits in software development.

Key Points

  • Writing code has historically been expensive, requiring significant time and effort from developers.
  • Coding agents lower the cost of producing code, allowing for parallel implementation, refactoring, and testing.
  • Good code remains costly to produce, requiring thorough testing, documentation, and design considerations.
  • Developers must balance the ease of generating code with the need for quality, maintainability, and future adaptability.
  • New personal and organizational habits are necessary to leverage the benefits of agentic engineering effectively.
  • The article encourages developers to challenge their instincts about project feasibility by experimenting with coding agents.

Analysis

The transition to cheaper code writing through coding agents represents a significant shift in software development paradigms. This change requires IT professionals to rethink their approaches to project management, code quality, and team dynamics, as the cost-benefit analysis of coding tasks evolves.

Conclusion

IT professionals should embrace the capabilities of coding agents while maintaining a focus on producing high-quality code. Developing new habits that prioritize experimentation and iterative improvement will be crucial in adapting to this changing landscape.