Changelog Master Feed Linus Torvalds gets the AI coding bug (Changelog News #176)
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Jan 12, 2026 Linus Torvalds embraces AI-generated code, marking a notable shift in the development landscape. Jordan Fulghum discusses how CLI agents are making self-hosting accessible to everyone. The concept of Fractured JSON is introduced, offering a balance between compactness and readability. Scott Werner predicts a surge of adequate software on the horizon. Lastly, Sean Goedecke highlights the pitfalls of generic design advice, emphasizing that only those intimately familiar with a system can truly design it effectively.
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Linus Embraces AI-Generated Code
- Linus Torvalds pushed Python code generated with AI to his audio noise repo and described the process in a candid commit message.
- He reported the AI-produced solution worked better than he could do by hand after tweaking a rectangle selector.
Use CLI Agents To Make Self-Hosting Easier
- Try CLI agents and Cloud Code to simplify self-hosting and reduce time spent configuring servers.
- Jordan Fulgham and Jared both note these tools make self-hosting feasible for non-sysadmins and enjoyable again.
Fractured JSON Improves Readability
- Fractured JSON formats aim for a middle ground between minified and fully indented JSON to improve human readability.
- The format presents data more like a person would, easing comprehension for newcomers.