Code is cheap now, but software isn't (www.chrisgregori.dev)

Recent advancements in LLM tools like Claude Code and Claude Opus 4.5 are redefining software development, leading to a significant shift towards creating "personal software." This evolution emphasizes a CLI-first approach, allowing non-developers to craft tailored solutions for immediate needs without the commitments of traditional SaaS products. As a result, more individuals are empowered to shape their own tools, moving away from reliance on generic applications to bespoke, disposable utilities designed to solve specific problems quickly. Despite the democratization of software creation, a stark reality remains: while generating code has become inexpensive, the complexities of building maintainable and effective software persist. Most rapid development efforts produce fragile applications that fail to withstand real-world use cases. As AI influences code generation, the unique value of engineers is shifting from merely writing code to managing complexities and creating sustainable architectures. This underscores that technical expertise is irreplaceable; successful development still requires a nuanced understanding of systems, user needs, and durability—qualities that LLMs currently cannot fully replicate.