08 Apr 2026
1h 46m

DHH’s new way of writing code

Podcast cover

The Pragmatic Engineer

David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH), creator of Ruby on Rails and co-founder of 37signals, details his shift to an AI-first approach in software development. DHH recounts building Omachi, his Linux distribution, and notes Rails' resurgence due to its token efficiency for AI agent workflows. He emphasizes that 37signals values designers who can define specifications and implement them using CSS and HTML. DHH also shares his experience with Hey.com, an email service, and the battle with Apple over app store approval. He highlights how AI agents have changed his daily work, allowing him to review more pull requests and explore ambitious projects like optimizing P1 performance, which were previously unfeasible. DHH advises software engineers to focus on continuous learning, embrace AI, and prioritize craftsmanship to remain valuable in a changing industry.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction, Projects, and Philosophy

Part 2: AI Agents and Technical Workflows

Part 3: Industry Shifts and Career Advice

Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.

Continue
 
mindmap screenshot
Preview
preview episode cover
How to Get Rich: Every EpisodeNaval