ShopTalk 677: Background Code Agents, Append AI, and RSS Starter Packs
Aug 11, 2025
Dive into the world of AI development as the speakers explore background coding agents and the latest advancements in Visual Studio Code. They discuss the challenges of integrating AI in coding workflows, emphasizing the balance between automation and skilled oversight. The revival of RSS technology takes center stage, showcasing its potential for tailored news curation. Personal websites are celebrated for their role in tech community engagement, while the impact of content algorithms on user experience sparks thoughtful conversation. Tune in for insights and laughs!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Agent Implemented File Download Fix
- Chris used a coding agent to add a server-side content-disposition download path and tests.
- The agent produced a PR but a human reviewer suggested a better, less memory-heavy server-first solution.
Agents Favor Append-Only, Context Costs More
- Dave observes that current AI agents perform best on clear, append-only tasks rather than global refactors.
- He notes context windows are expensive and humans still link cross-cutting concerns better.
Humans Excel At Cross-Context Decisions
- Chris says AI will rapidly generate options but humans must judge taste, consistency, and overall architecture.
- He argues an editor-in-the-loop is essential to choose the canonical solution.