Code Fast, Code Slow

Code fast, then code slow. That's how you build with AI.

There are two modes of AI-assisted development, and you need to master both.

Mode 1: Code fast. You're hunting for product-market fit. Speed beats perfection. You spin up multiple prototypes, throw away what doesn't work, and use every tool available to compress cycle time. Wear the generalist hat. The goal is learning, not longevity.

Mode 2: Code slow. You found your footing. Now put on the expert hat and actually read the code the AI wrote. Evaluate for performance, scalability, maintainability. Write specs. Build v2 with intention.

The mistake most teams make is never leaving Mode 1. The prototype becomes production. Nobody goes back to understand what was generated. Technical debt compounds silently.

The other mistake is never entering Mode 1 at all. Over-engineering a product nobody wants.

Speed and technical craftsmanship are not trade-offs. They're both required. The bar for software engineering just went up. You need to be good at both, and know exactly when to switch gears.