AI coding agents arrive: faster builds, same need for judgement
Anthropic's new model thinks before it answers, and its new tool can work inside a codebase. Software is about to be built differently. Here is what that means if you are paying for it.
By the Xuru Technologies team · 25 February 2025
Key takeaways
- On 24 February 2025 Anthropic released Claude 3.7 Sonnet, a model that can answer quickly or take extended time to reason.
- Alongside it came a research preview of Claude Code, an agent that works in the terminal to read, edit and test code.
- AI coding tools speed up routine development, but architecture, security and quality still need experienced people.
- Buyers should expect faster iterations — and ask how their suppliers review AI-written code.
A year ago, AI coding assistants mostly completed the next line. Now they can be asked to make a change across a project, run the tests and explain what they did.
What happened
Anthropic described Claude 3.7 Sonnet as its first "hybrid reasoning" model, with an extended thinking mode for harder problems, and highlighted coding and front-end web development as particular strengths. SD Times covered the launch of Claude Code, a command-line tool that lets developers delegate engineering tasks. Developer Simon Willison noted the larger output limits and the agentic design of the new tool.
What it means for businesses buying software
- Faster first drafts. Prototypes, page templates and routine features can be produced in hours instead of days.
- Review becomes the job. AI-written code can contain subtle bugs and security issues. Experienced review and testing matter more, not less.
- Smaller teams, bigger output. A focused team using AI tools well can deliver what once took a much larger team.
- Value shifts to understanding the business. Knowing what to build, and why, is still human work.
What to ask your web or software supplier
| Question | Good sign |
|---|---|
| Do you use AI coding tools? | Yes, with clear rules on review and data |
| Who reviews AI-written code? | A named developer, with tests before release |
| Is our code or data shared with AI providers? | Only under business terms that exclude training, or not at all |
| How does AI change our timeline? | Faster prototypes and iterations, with quality steps intact |
Read our guide to hiring an offshore web team without the headaches.
Frequently asked questions
Will AI make websites cheaper?
Routine work gets faster, which can lower costs or let the same budget deliver more. Design, strategy, content and quality assurance still take human time.
Is AI-written code safe?
It can be, when reviewed and tested like any other code. Unreviewed AI code is a risk.
Can I build my own website with AI tools?
For simple sites, yes. For bookings, payments, accessibility and security, experienced help avoids costly mistakes.
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