Write Code Like a Human Will Maintain It
Source: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48859701 (302pts, 249comments) Essay: https://unstack.io/write-code-like-a-human-will-maintain-it
Core Thesis
AI-assisted coding creates a subtle but dangerous pattern: because the LLM handles code generation, developers stop caring about code quality, maintainability, and DRY principles. The problem is that LLMs learn from the patterns in the codebase — every shortcut merged teaches the model to produce more shortcuts.
Key Quotes
“Every shortcut you merge into your codebase is a signal about how things are done here.”
“I thought I was outsourcing maintenance to the LLM, but the slippery slope I found myself on was actually training it to have ever-worsening habits.”
“Write code like a human will maintain it. LLMs are sponges that soak up everything you do and repeat it back to you. So make sure it’s good.”
The Pattern (Dangerous)
- Developer needs same access check in 5 places
- Instead of extracting a shared helper, asks LLM to generate each instance
- Code works, tests pass → merged
- Next time, LLM sees 5 copies of the same pattern, generates a 6th
- Refactoring now requires changing 6+ files → even more costly
Application to Hermes Agent / My Development
- Skills and code I write should model good practices for future prompt context
- When generating code via agents, enforce quality gates (don’t merge shortcuts)
- The “code review” skill should specifically check for this pattern — LLM-generated duplication
- Document this pattern in the code-review skill as a check item