Head of Claude Code: What happens after coding is solved | Boris Cherny - Lenny's Podcast: Product | Career | Growth Recap

Podcast: Lenny's Podcast: Product | Career | Growth

Published: 2026-02-19

Duration: 1 hr 28 min

Summary

In this episode, Boris Cherny discusses the revolutionary impact of Claude Code on software development, highlighting how AI is transforming coding from a specialized skill to a universal capability. He predicts a future where coding is largely accessible to everyone, reshaping roles in tech and potentially phasing out traditional software engineering titles.

What Happened

Boris Cherny, head of Claude Code at Anthropic, shares insights into the profound changes AI is bringing to software development. He reveals that he hasn't manually edited code since November, instead relying on Quadcode to handle the bulk of his coding tasks. This shift has led to a staggering 200% increase in productivity per engineer, suggesting that the traditional barriers to coding are rapidly dissolving. As Boris notes, 'Coding is largely solved,' indicating that in the near future, almost anyone could easily program and create software without extensive training.

The conversation also touches on the broader implications of this shift for the tech industry. Boris anticipates that by the end of the year, the role of product managers and software engineers will evolve dramatically, with the title of software engineer potentially being replaced by 'builder.' He highlights that a significant percentage of GitHub commits are now authored by AI, demonstrating the technology's growing dominance in the field. Additionally, he reflects on the rapid growth of Claude Code, with the platform's daily active users doubling in just a month, indicating a burgeoning acceptance and reliance on AI in coding practices.

Boris also shares his personal journey back to Anthropic after a brief stint at Cursor, emphasizing the importance of mission-driven work in his career. He describes the strong sense of purpose he finds at Anthropic, particularly in their focus on safety in AI development. This mission resonates with him deeply, which he believes is essential for his happiness and fulfillment in his professional life. Overall, the episode paints a picture of a tech landscape on the brink of transformation, driven by advancements in AI and coding automation.

Key Insights

Key Questions Answered

What is Claude Code and how does it work?

Claude Code is an AI-driven platform developed by Anthropic that automates the coding process. Boris Cherny explains that the system has advanced to the point where it can handle most coding tasks autonomously, allowing engineers to focus on higher-level problem-solving without getting bogged down in the minutiae of coding. He shares that he ships dozens of pull requests daily without having to manually edit any code, showcasing the efficiency of AI in coding.

How has AI affected productivity in software engineering?

Boris highlights that productivity per engineer has increased by 200% thanks to the implementation of AI tools like Quadcode. This dramatic surge in productivity suggests that the traditional barriers and time-consuming aspects of coding are being effectively managed by AI, allowing engineers to work more efficiently and focus on more strategic tasks.

What does the future of coding look like according to Boris Cherny?

Boris envisions a future where coding becomes a universal skill accessible to everyone, regardless of technical background. He argues that in a year or two, the question of whether one should learn to code may become irrelevant as coding tools become increasingly user-friendly and automated. This shift will likely lead to a redefinition of tech roles, with everyone becoming a 'builder' rather than a traditional software engineer.

Why did Boris return to Anthropic after joining Cursor?

Boris explains that while he was initially drawn to Cursor due to the exciting product and team, he quickly realized that he missed the mission-driven environment at Anthropic. He felt a strong connection to the company's focus on AI safety, which resonated with his personal values and sense of purpose. This mission was a significant factor in his decision to return to Anthropic.

What are the implications of Claude Code's growth for the tech industry?

The growth of Claude Code, which has led to AI authoring a significant percentage of GitHub commits, suggests a major shift in how software development will be approached in the future. Boris notes that this trend indicates that AI is set to dominate software engineering, potentially leading to the obsolescence of traditional roles and a transformation of the job landscape in tech. The rapid increase in daily active users also highlights a growing acceptance of AI tools across the industry.