Is coding by hand over in 2026?

AI and Coding
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I was initially a skeptic about AI coding, but over the past few weeks I haven’t been coding much by hand. I write some of the code, and programming knowledge is still essential (systems design, reading code, understanding problems), but it’s faster to get LLMs to do a lot of it.

I also thought that I would find coding with AI to be boring, but it’s actually still fun.

I’m wondering if other people find that they are coding less now.

Here are a couple of random takes from YouTube.

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I can see the transition from 100% hand-coding to AI-assisted coding being like the transition from something like coding in assembly to coding in high level languages. Maybe after a while the word “coding” will mean “AI-assisted coding,” and only some people will want the control or nostalgia or bragging rights from good ol’ fashioned hand-coding.

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I guess different people are doing different kinds of things, and I’m just in one niche.

I can see it taking over most of many areas of the industry in the next couple of years though.

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My productivity has gone way up since embracing AI coding tools and I’m having more fun then ever.

My approach: briefly describe which languages and libraries to use (or not use), describe my preferred process (TDD, linting, metrics), and describe “product” goals, features, MVP.

I then ask the AI to produce architecture, PRD, design, planning, and status documents, then start building code for me to evaluate.

Most of my time is spent giving feedback to the AI (redirecting it, reminding it). Projects that would have taken me months manually in my prime take hours or days

(I’m retired but running a 1 person software LLC. Former dev, team-lead, architect, release engineer, and engineering manager)

Interested in comparing approaches, tools used, and seeing what people build with AI…

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I’m having a similar experience with it. I thought I was going to dislike AI coding, but it’s amazing.

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The Steve Yegge et al Vibe Coding book is interesting, if you get a chance (paper, kindle, audiobook). If you get a chance check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SoftwareWrighter

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