Post

When I'm working with coding agents, I say things like "I'm sorry, I still don't understand..." and "Thanks for your patience" for because: 1. I think it models a more effective and professional conversation, which is the register I want to work in. 2. It's a good habit.

Tilmon Edwards (Dirigo)

@tilmonedwards.com

If you're feeling frustrated when working with machines, it's a good habit to recognize that the frustration is happening inside of you, irrespective of the machine. The machine is not frustrating you. You are frustrated. You are the adult in that scenario and part of the work is managing yourself.

8/10/26, 3:54 pm4 reposts45 likes

Kevin Sebastin

@sayyestono.bsky.social

I honestly do not see the point in bloating instructions to a machine with words only humans appreciate, with the exception that the machine, in some cases, responds better to bloated instructions. You are right that it makes no sense to include the same words you might have shouted at a compiler.

Tilmon Edwards (Dirigo)

@tilmonedwards.com

Those words never helped with the compiler either

Kevin Sebastin

@sayyestono.bsky.social

They didn't really help with anything; just made it harder to move on. For me, it is not just language; I don't use coding tools for stuff I need human understanding to accomplish. But they are a great asset to do all the boring shit even the best architecture can't avoid. I still do Board-First 😉

King V

@mrsaver.bsky.social

Same, I find if I have fully architected everything out, and give it diagrams and full instructions I have a smoother path to the results.

Mallowdad

@mallowdad.bsky.social

Weirdly I'm much more measured in my language to machines than humans, mostly because humans can pick up on the signal and learn while machines simply cannot.