I Stopped Typing Code and Started Directing Robots

Published 2026-05-10 07-58

Summary

Used to type code, now I direct AI helpers like a small team. Faster work, fewer goblin doors, more wall-staring at databases. Forty more years and I’ll be perfect.

The story

*AI-ish patterns I’m seeing:*
– Too tidy of a career arc: kid coder, web dev, AI, lesson learned. Real life has more wobble.
– Generic tech phrases: “AI coding wave,” “net efficiency,” “planning and architecture level.”
– Tool list feels a little résumé-ish without much human texture.
– Clever lines feel packaged: “Your mileage may vary, unless it doesn’t.”
– The ending turns into a soft promo instead of staying personal.

*Rewrite:*

🟢 What I learned about my own job description

I used to be the person typing the code. Lately, I spend more time telling the code what kind of adult it’s gonna become.

I’m feeling weirdly fine about this.

I started as a kid making tiny games on a Vic-20 and C64, doing the sacred little nerd ritual of, “Look what I made!” Then I spent years building web apps and databases, trying to make work a teammate wouldn’t curse at later.

I didn’t always win. Give me forty more years.

Then I built EmpathyBot, an AI project about cognitive empathy. Yes, I tried to teach a chatbot to care better. No dolphins yet, but the dream still lives.

When AI coding tools showed up, I was cautious. Then I used them a lot while pretending I wasn’t “vibe coding.” Hugely mature. Planet-sized brain.

The code worked enough to tempt me, then annoyed me enough to humble me. Files got too big. Names got weird. Chunks repeated. Security had little goblin doors. The database made me stare at the wall.

I restarted more than once. Yay.

The shift came when I stopped treating AI like a magic code vending machine. I started treating it like a small team inside my editor. One plans. One checks. One argues a bit, which is rude, but helpful.

I tried CLine, then Roo Code, then Kilo Code. Kilo felt more open, and the people behind it seemed more responsive. I wrote clearer instructions for each helper so they didn’t wander off wearing a wizard hat.

My work is faster now,

For more about From “Veteran Coder” to “Viber” to “Imagineer”, visit
https://clearsay.net/from-veteran-coder-to-viber-to-imagineer/.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts, private keys, feelings, threats, and shouts of rage!

Based on https://clearsay.net/from-veteran-coder-to-viber-to-imagineer/