"Finally a book that treats AI tools as what they are, powerful but incomplete. This changed how I work every day."
What sets you apart when the code writes itself.
A practical guide to AI-assisted software engineering, the skills, workflows, and mindset that matter most when AI handles the typing.
AI coding tools can write most of the code now. What they can't do is tell you whether the code is actually right.
This book draws from a year of integrating AI agents deeply into professional engineering workflows. It's a practical guide to the skills, mental models, and habits that separate engineers who use AI effectively from those who just let it run.
You'll learn how to direct AI agents like a film director manages a crew, setting context, verifying output, and knowing when to take back the controls.
- How AI coding agents actually work, context windows, MCPs, and model selection
- Effective direction strategies through verification loops and self-correcting systems
- Why fundamental engineering knowledge matters more now, not less
- Novel workflows including automated code review and codebase exploration
- The real economics of AI-assisted development beyond marketing claims
- Career strategies for hiring and being hired in AI-augmented roles
Whether you're a senior engineer rethinking your workflow or a junior developer entering an AI-native industry, this book will help you leverage AI tools seriously, without losing the skills that make you valuable.
A comprehensive guide to thriving as an engineer when AI handles the typing.
From understanding how AI agents actually work to navigating your career in an AI-native industry, everything you need in one practical, no-filler book.
Introduction
The Stack
Lucas Brandt – Hey there, I'm the author behind this book.
I'm a software engineer based in Amsterdam with over 10 years of experience in frontend development, cloud infrastructure, and distributed systems. I've integrated AI coding agents deeply into my engineering workflow and now focus on high-reliability software where performance and correctness are essential. This book is my attempt to share what I've learned about staying relevant and effective as an engineer in the age of AI.