Zach Daniel on Ash and Ash AI

18 snips

Jul 12, 2025

Zach Daniel, the innovative creator of the Ash Framework, joins the discussion to shed light on integrating AI in software development. He delves into 'vibe coding', a fun and creative coding approach, and shares insights on harnessing LLM workflows for effective coding strategies. Zach also touches on the challenges of scaling open source communities, the balance between AI productivity and code integrity, and the future of solo entrepreneurship. This captivating conversation is packed with valuable tips for developers looking to elevate their projects with AI.

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ADVICE

LLMs for Bug Triage

Use LLMs for bug triage by asking them to create failing tests from bug reports.
Review generated tests and fixes, then decide if manual intervention is needed for complex issues.

ADVICE

Leverage LLMs for Draft Outputs

Let LLMs draft rough tests and documentation to save mental energy.
Improve drafts yourself to ensure quality but leverage the LLM's initial effort.

INSIGHT

LLM Variability and Workflow Fit

LLM performance varies widely due to their statistical nature, even on the same tasks.
Each user must identify workflows that work best for them when using LLMs.

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In this episode of the Elixir Mentor Podcast, I sit down with Zach Daniel, the brilliant creator of Ash Framework, for a fascinating discussion about the intersection of AI and application development. We dive deep into LLM workflows, explore the revolutionary usage rules system, and get an exclusive look at Ash AI - the comprehensive toolkit that's changing how we integrate AI capabilities into Elixir applications.

Zach shares his insights on effective LLM usage patterns, from vibe coding workflows to production-ready AI integrations. We explore the groundbreaking usage rules system that allows library authors to provide LLM-specific guidance, making AI assistance dramatically more effective for framework users. The conversation covers Ash AI's powerful features including automated chatbot generation, prompt-backed actions, and seamless tool integration that lets you build AI-enabled applications with minimal effort.

Our discussion also touches on the challenges of scaling open source communities, the future of solo entrepreneurship in the AI era, and how tools like Deep Wiki are creating surprisingly accurate AI-generated documentation. Zach provides valuable perspective on managing large open source projects while maintaining code quality and community engagement.

This episode offers essential insights for developers interested in leveraging AI tools effectively, understanding modern framework design, and building robust applications with Elixir and Ash. Whether you're exploring AI integration or looking to understand cutting-edge development workflows, this conversation provides practical wisdom and forward-thinking perspectives.

Resources Mentioned:
- Ash Framework: https://ash-hq.org/
- Ash Framework Book: https://pragprog.com/titles/ldash/ash-framework/
- Usage Rules: https://hexdocs.pm/usage_rules/
- Deep Wiki: https://deepwiki.org/

Connect with Zach:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachdaniel/
- Substack: https://www.zachdaniel.dev/
- GitHub: https://github.com/zachdaniel

SUPPORT ELIXIR MENTOR
- Elixir Mentor: https://elixirmentor.com