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Nate Herk August 12, 2026 11m

3 Secret Ways Claude Code’s Creator Actually Uses It

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  1. So, I listened to the creator of Claude So, I listened to the creator of Claude Code explain why Claude has gotten worse Code explain why Claude has gotten worse Code explain why Claude has gotten worse and how to actually fix that. And I and how to actually fix that. And I and how to actually fix that. And I learned something that sounds really learned something that sounds really learned something that sounds really weird, but more skills and more system weird, but more skills and more system weird, but more skills and more system prompts are probably breaking your prompts are probably breaking your prompts are probably breaking your system. So, I dug deeper into this and I system. So, I dug deeper into this and I system. So, I dug deeper into this and I started doing some testing and I found started doing some testing and I found started doing some testing and I found that there are three super important that there are three super important that there are three super important things that everyone has to be doing things that everyone has to be doing things that everyone has to be doing right now. It's super easy to do and you right now. It's super easy to do and you right now. It's super easy to do and you don't need any technical experience to don't need any technical experience to don't need any technical experience to actually implement this stuff. So, I actually implement this stuff. So, I actually implement this stuff. So, I don't want to waste any time. Let's just don't want to waste any time. Let's just don't want to waste any time. Let's just get straight into the video. So, let's get straight into the video. So, let's get straight into the video. So, let's just start off with some real quick just start off with some real quick just start off with some real quick context on what they're actually doing context on what they're actually doing context on what they're actually doing behind the scenes at Enthropic. behind the scenes at Enthropic. behind the scenes at Enthropic. >> Let's talk a bit about the new release. >> Let's talk a bit about the new release. >> Let's talk a bit about the new release. You actually deleted over 80% of the You actually deleted over 80% of the You actually deleted over 80% of the system prompt from claw code. system prompt from claw code. system prompt from claw code. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Tell us more about that. >> Tell us more about that. >> Tell us more about that. >> I think something that a lot of people >> I think something that a lot of people >> I think something that a lot of people might not realize is um clawed code as a might not realize is um clawed code as a might not realize is um clawed code as a product and as a harness is just always product and as a harness is just always product and as a harness is just always changing. We're always adding stuff. changing. We're always adding stuff. changing. We're always adding stuff. We're always deleting stuff. Every time We're always deleting stuff. Every time We're always deleting stuff. Every time that a new model comes out, we delete a that a new model comes out, we delete a that a new model comes out, we delete a bunch of the system prompt. Change a bunch of the system prompt. Change a bunch of the system prompt. Change a bunch of the system prompt. We change bunch of the system prompt. We change bunch of the system prompt. We change the set of tools all the time. We change the set of tools all the time. We change the set of tools all the time. We change the prompts for the tools all the time. the prompts for the tools all the time. the prompts for the tools all the time. And the reason is every model is very And the reason is every model is very And the reason is every model is very different. So something that you did for different. So something that you did for different. So something that you did for one model maybe three months ago, it one model maybe three months ago, it one model maybe three months ago, it just might not translate at all to the just might not translate at all to the just might not translate at all to the next model. And so one thing about Opus next model. And so one thing about Opus next model. And so one thing about Opus 5 is it's just really intelligent. And a 5 is it's just really intelligent. And a 5 is it's just really intelligent. And a lot of the stuff in the system prompt lot of the stuff in the system prompt lot of the stuff in the system prompt was correcting for these behaviors that was correcting for these behaviors that was correcting for these behaviors that the model should have known, but uh it the model should have known, but uh it the model should have known, but uh it didn't. Now, Opus 5 just does it.

  2. didn't. Now, Opus 5 just does it. didn't. Now, Opus 5 just does it. >> So, that's interesting. It makes you >> So, that's interesting. It makes you >> So, that's interesting. It makes you think a little bit, but I just wanted to think a little bit, but I just wanted to think a little bit, but I just wanted to sort of lay the foundation of they're sort of lay the foundation of they're sort of lay the foundation of they're doing that adanthropic. They are doing that adanthropic. They are doing that adanthropic. They are treating each different model as like a treating each different model as like a treating each different model as like a different completely different different completely different different completely different personality, different flaws, different personality, different flaws, different personality, different flaws, different strengths, and different ways that you strengths, and different ways that you strengths, and different ways that you should prompt it. And so, whenever a new should prompt it. And so, whenever a new should prompt it. And so, whenever a new model drops, one of the things that I model drops, one of the things that I model drops, one of the things that I tell you guys is like, hey, run this tell you guys is like, hey, run this tell you guys is like, hey, run this model through your skills. Make sure model through your skills. Make sure model through your skills. Make sure they all still work. Make sure they all they all still work. Make sure they all they all still work. Make sure they all still feel good. And for some reason still feel good. And for some reason still feel good. And for some reason with Opus 5, it's just felt degraded to with Opus 5, it's just felt degraded to with Opus 5, it's just felt degraded to the point where I'm actually going back the point where I'm actually going back the point where I'm actually going back to 4.8 every once in a while when I need to 4.8 every once in a while when I need to 4.8 every once in a while when I need to do something and I'm just getting to do something and I'm just getting to do something and I'm just getting better results. But I never really better results. But I never really better results. But I never really thought about, hm, maybe if I just got thought about, hm, maybe if I just got thought about, hm, maybe if I just got rid of some of my instructions and got rid of some of my instructions and got rid of some of my instructions and got out of the model's way, it is actually out of the model's way, it is actually out of the model's way, it is actually just more intelligent now and it could just more intelligent now and it could just more intelligent now and it could handle those things. So take a look at handle those things. So take a look at handle those things. So take a look at this next clip. this next clip. this next clip. >> Yeah. And and for people that aren't >> Yeah. And and for people that aren't >> Yeah. And and for people that aren't building aic products, but you're using building aic products, but you're using building aic products, but you're using cloth code every six months, delete your cloth code every six months, delete your cloth code every six months, delete your quadd, delete your skills, delete your quadd, delete your skills, delete your quadd, delete your skills, delete your hooks, see what the model does, and it hooks, see what the model does, and it hooks, see what the model does, and it might surprise you. And actually for might surprise you. And actually for might surprise you. And actually for Opus 5, this is something we really do Opus 5, this is something we really do Opus 5, this is something we really do recommend is just try deleting all of recommend is just try deleting all of recommend is just try deleting all of these things because the model might these things because the model might these things because the model might really just not need all those really just not need all those really just not need all those instructions that you needed for past instructions that you needed for past instructions that you needed for past models.

  3. models. models. >> So when you think about that for a sec, >> So when you think about that for a sec, >> So when you think about that for a sec, I feel like that almost sounds I feel like that almost sounds I feel like that almost sounds counterintuitive because what we've been counterintuitive because what we've been counterintuitive because what we've been told is, hey, you know, if everyone has told is, hey, you know, if everyone has told is, hey, you know, if everyone has access to the same model or some this is access to the same model or some this is access to the same model or some this is something that I say a lot, then something that I say a lot, then something that I say a lot, then wouldn't everybody be getting the same wouldn't everybody be getting the same wouldn't everybody be getting the same results? And to an extent that is very results? And to an extent that is very results? And to an extent that is very true. But if Boris is basically saying, true. But if Boris is basically saying, true. But if Boris is basically saying, hey, remove your skills, remove your own hey, remove your skills, remove your own hey, remove your skills, remove your own system prompts, and just see what's system prompts, and just see what's system prompts, and just see what's possible. It's a different way to think possible. It's a different way to think possible. It's a different way to think about it because the the the immediate about it because the the the immediate about it because the the the immediate thing that I think about is like, okay, thing that I think about is like, okay, thing that I think about is like, okay, let's say that I was teaching um a let's say that I was teaching um a let's say that I was teaching um a 10-year-old, a college student, and 10-year-old, a college student, and 10-year-old, a college student, and someone that's been in the workforce for someone that's been in the workforce for someone that's been in the workforce for 10 years how to do something, how to do 10 years how to do something, how to do 10 years how to do something, how to do something like create a slide deck. I something like create a slide deck. I something like create a slide deck. I would probably give the 10-year-old the would probably give the 10-year-old the would probably give the 10-year-old the most specific instructions. I would say, most specific instructions. I would say, most specific instructions. I would say, "Hey, here's exactly what you should be "Hey, here's exactly what you should be "Hey, here's exactly what you should be looking for. Here are the 10 slides to looking for. Here are the 10 slides to looking for. Here are the 10 slides to make. Here's what the title should look make. Here's what the title should look make. Here's what the title should look like. Here's the color. Here's the way like. Here's the color. Here's the way like. Here's the color. Here's the way that the text should be formatted." I that the text should be formatted." I that the text should be formatted." I would be super specific and I basically would be super specific and I basically would be super specific and I basically wouldn't give that 10-year-old any wouldn't give that 10-year-old any wouldn't give that 10-year-old any freedom really to just kind of go freedom really to just kind of go freedom really to just kind of go experiment because if it's a high stakes experiment because if it's a high stakes experiment because if it's a high stakes thing, we want to just steer it. But as thing, we want to just steer it. But as thing, we want to just steer it. But as you work your way up the chain in, I you work your way up the chain in, I you work your way up the chain in, I guess like intelligence and experience, guess like intelligence and experience, guess like intelligence and experience, what if you gave that same instruction what if you gave that same instruction what if you gave that same instruction set to the person who's been working for set to the person who's been working for set to the person who's been working for 10 years and has made hundreds of slide 10 years and has made hundreds of slide 10 years and has made hundreds of slide decks, you're going to get in their way.

  4. decks, you're going to get in their way. decks, you're going to get in their way. They're not going to be able to actually They're not going to be able to actually They're not going to be able to actually use their subject matter expertise and use their subject matter expertise and use their subject matter expertise and their intelligence to put their own spin their intelligence to put their own spin their intelligence to put their own spin on it. And so I'm not saying that it's on it. And so I'm not saying that it's on it. And so I'm not saying that it's always the case, but I think that there always the case, but I think that there always the case, but I think that there is an element of like removing some of is an element of like removing some of is an element of like removing some of the some of the like kind of the some of the like kind of the some of the like kind of instructions and constraints on a model. instructions and constraints on a model. instructions and constraints on a model. They call this unhobbling the model, They call this unhobbling the model, They call this unhobbling the model, which I'll play a clip from in just a which I'll play a clip from in just a which I'll play a clip from in just a minute here. But take a look at this minute here. But take a look at this minute here. But take a look at this example I ran. So after I watched this example I ran. So after I watched this example I ran. So after I watched this interview, I made a duplicate of my repo interview, I made a duplicate of my repo interview, I made a duplicate of my repo and I took away the cloud MD and I took and I took away the cloud MD and I took and I took away the cloud MD and I took away all my skills and I just started away all my skills and I just started away all my skills and I just started using it a little bit to see how it using it a little bit to see how it using it a little bit to see how it worked and it was okay. But what my gut worked and it was okay. But what my gut worked and it was okay. But what my gut is telling me about that is when we're is telling me about that is when we're is telling me about that is when we're doing something like we have, you know, doing something like we have, you know, doing something like we have, you know, um, an AI operating system and we have um, an AI operating system and we have um, an AI operating system and we have the cloud MD which is kind of routing the cloud MD which is kind of routing the cloud MD which is kind of routing around to, hey, here is Nate's business around to, hey, here is Nate's business around to, hey, here is Nate's business context. Here are where all these files context. Here are where all these files context. Here are where all these files live. Here are where the wiks live. live. Here are where the wiks live. live. Here are where the wiks live. That's important. We still need that That's important. We still need that That's important. We still need that context of, hey, Mr. Cloud Code, here's context of, hey, Mr. Cloud Code, here's context of, hey, Mr. Cloud Code, here's where you find your things. But when it where you find your things. But when it where you find your things. But when it comes to actual tasks, maybe you just comes to actual tasks, maybe you just comes to actual tasks, maybe you just get out of the way a little bit and get out of the way a little bit and get out of the way a little bit and that's where your skills aren't as that's where your skills aren't as that's where your skills aren't as important or your skills are changed. important or your skills are changed. important or your skills are changed. And so what I mean by this is take a And so what I mean by this is take a And so what I mean by this is take a look. Here is an output I ran where I look. Here is an output I ran where I look. Here is an output I ran where I took this YouTube video, this uh took this YouTube video, this uh took this YouTube video, this uh interview that we're watching. I gave interview that we're watching. I gave interview that we're watching. I gave that URL to Claude and say, "Hey, make that URL to Claude and say, "Hey, make that URL to Claude and say, "Hey, make me a YouTube resource guide, like the me a YouTube resource guide, like the me a YouTube resource guide, like the resource guides that I make for you guys resource guides that I make for you guys resource guides that I make for you guys when I have other videos." And so, what when I have other videos." And so, what when I have other videos." And so, what this did is it broke it down, right? It this did is it broke it down, right? It this did is it broke it down, right? It it created a nine-page resource guide.

  5. it created a nine-page resource guide. it created a nine-page resource guide. It's formatted nicely. It has like these It's formatted nicely. It has like these It's formatted nicely. It has like these colors. It has like these little blocks colors. It has like these little blocks colors. It has like these little blocks and it has my also like my header, and it has my also like my header, and it has my also like my header, right? It's got that header image. It's right? It's got that header image. It's right? It's got that header image. It's got my YouTube channel linked right here got my YouTube channel linked right here got my YouTube channel linked right here at the bottom. It links to AIS Plus. So, at the bottom. It links to AIS Plus. So, at the bottom. It links to AIS Plus. So, those are things that are like very those are things that are like very those are things that are like very specific. So, those are things that it's specific. So, those are things that it's specific. So, those are things that it's like my preferences and my styles. Now, like my preferences and my styles. Now, like my preferences and my styles. Now, look at this version. This is one on a look at this version. This is one on a look at this version. This is one on a fresh session where I gave it basically fresh session where I gave it basically fresh session where I gave it basically the same prompts, but it had no skills the same prompts, but it had no skills the same prompts, but it had no skills or no context to work from. And here's or no context to work from. And here's or no context to work from. And here's what it created. Obviously, it doesn't what it created. Obviously, it doesn't what it created. Obviously, it doesn't look as good, right? It just looks a bit look as good, right? It just looks a bit look as good, right? It just looks a bit messier. It doesn't have nice messier. It doesn't have nice messier. It doesn't have nice formatting. There's no header. But I formatting. There's no header. But I formatting. There's no header. But I think that this is a better output think that this is a better output think that this is a better output because I didn't tell it specifically, because I didn't tell it specifically, because I didn't tell it specifically, hey, for a resource guide, do this, hey, for a resource guide, do this, hey, for a resource guide, do this, this, and this. Here's how you break it this, and this. Here's how you break it this, and this. Here's how you break it down. This actually broke this down into down. This actually broke this down into down. This actually broke this down into ideas, which I thought was really nice. ideas, which I thought was really nice. ideas, which I thought was really nice. And each idea has a timestamp. So here And each idea has a timestamp. So here And each idea has a timestamp. So here we have prompts are disposable. Here we we have prompts are disposable. Here we we have prompts are disposable. Here we have rebuild from observation. All of have rebuild from observation. All of have rebuild from observation. All of these main ideas that it covers, we have these main ideas that it covers, we have these main ideas that it covers, we have timestamps. So arguably I like the timestamps. So arguably I like the timestamps. So arguably I like the content of this version better which had content of this version better which had content of this version better which had no skills, no clawmd. But what I would no skills, no clawmd. But what I would no skills, no clawmd. But what I would do is I would bake this into a skill and do is I would bake this into a skill and do is I would bake this into a skill and say, "Hey, by the way, make the resource say, "Hey, by the way, make the resource say, "Hey, by the way, make the resource guide however you want, however you see guide however you want, however you see guide however you want, however you see fit. But what I want you to do is take fit. But what I want you to do is take fit. But what I want you to do is take this image and put it in the header and this image and put it in the header and this image and put it in the header and link to my YouTube channel at the top link to my YouTube channel at the top link to my YouTube channel at the top and link to AIS Plus at the bottom." So and link to AIS Plus at the bottom." So and link to AIS Plus at the bottom." So those are the areas where I think it's those are the areas where I think it's those are the areas where I think it's less in my mind about deleting all your less in my mind about deleting all your less in my mind about deleting all your skills. It's more about really thinking skills. It's more about really thinking skills. It's more about really thinking about them and maybe making versions of about them and maybe making versions of about them and maybe making versions of them that aren't as specific. And real them that aren't as specific. And real them that aren't as specific. And real quick, as I'm editing this video, quick, as I'm editing this video, quick, as I'm editing this video, there's one other thing I wanted to there's one other thing I wanted to there's one other thing I wanted to throw out there that I think is super throw out there that I think is super throw out there that I think is super important to think about, which is you important to think about, which is you important to think about, which is you can't just take advice you see from can't just take advice you see from can't just take advice you see from Boris Churnney or from some other Boris Churnney or from some other Boris Churnney or from some other YouTuber or from me or from someone in YouTuber or from me or from someone in YouTuber or from me or from someone in the community and just blanket statement the community and just blanket statement the community and just blanket statement apply it to your work. It just doesn't apply it to your work. It just doesn't apply it to your work. It just doesn't work like that. Because what my gut's

  6. work like that. Because what my gut's work like that. Because what my gut's telling me is a lot of this advice that telling me is a lot of this advice that telling me is a lot of this advice that Boris is going to tell you or that you Boris is going to tell you or that you Boris is going to tell you or that you might see Andre Carpathy tweet about. A might see Andre Carpathy tweet about. A might see Andre Carpathy tweet about. A lot of their advice is coming from the lot of their advice is coming from the lot of their advice is coming from the perspective of someone who's like in the perspective of someone who's like in the perspective of someone who's like in the weeds designing harnesses, working on weeds designing harnesses, working on weeds designing harnesses, working on massive code bases every day training massive code bases every day training massive code bases every day training models. That's not what I do. I don't models. That's not what I do. I don't models. That's not what I do. I don't know if that's what you do or not, but know if that's what you do or not, but know if that's what you do or not, but you should probably be taking advice you should probably be taking advice you should probably be taking advice from people who are using the AI systems from people who are using the AI systems from people who are using the AI systems the same way you want to. For me, that's the same way you want to. For me, that's the same way you want to. For me, that's generally bunch of research, knowledge, generally bunch of research, knowledge, generally bunch of research, knowledge, work, um, creating documents, creating work, um, creating documents, creating work, um, creating documents, creating deliverables, but not as much like deliverables, but not as much like deliverables, but not as much like building software. that's not what I'm building software. that's not what I'm building software. that's not what I'm doing on the day-to-day. So, I just doing on the day-to-day. So, I just doing on the day-to-day. So, I just wanted to throw that out there. I think wanted to throw that out there. I think wanted to throw that out there. I think that Boris has some really good advice that Boris has some really good advice that Boris has some really good advice here, but the reason why I didn't here, but the reason why I didn't here, but the reason why I didn't actually go out and sweep delete all of actually go out and sweep delete all of actually go out and sweep delete all of my stuff is because based on my findings my stuff is because based on my findings my stuff is because based on my findings and my testings, that wouldn't be as and my testings, that wouldn't be as and my testings, that wouldn't be as valuable to me as just kind of like valuable to me as just kind of like valuable to me as just kind of like reworking them. I think people that are reworking them. I think people that are reworking them. I think people that are building products and software have like building products and software have like building products and software have like these all of these skills to like build these all of these skills to like build these all of these skills to like build and to orchestrate. And maybe that's and to orchestrate. And maybe that's and to orchestrate. And maybe that's where those skills should be completely where those skills should be completely where those skills should be completely deleted because the model and the deleted because the model and the deleted because the model and the harness just does that better now. But, harness just does that better now. But, harness just does that better now. But, as you saw from this demo, like I still as you saw from this demo, like I still as you saw from this demo, like I still need the skills to say, "Hey, you're need the skills to say, "Hey, you're need the skills to say, "Hey, you're going to grab this image. You're going going to grab this image. You're going going to grab this image. You're going to put that there. um you're going to to put that there. um you're going to to put that there. um you're going to use these color schemes because that's use these color schemes because that's use these color schemes because that's like our brand guidelines. That sort of like our brand guidelines. That sort of like our brand guidelines. That sort of stuff is still important context for my stuff is still important context for my stuff is still important context for my systems for my knowledge work. So just systems for my knowledge work. So just systems for my knowledge work. So just something important to keep in mind. And something important to keep in mind. And something important to keep in mind. And Boris seems to completely agree. Let me Boris seems to completely agree. Let me Boris seems to completely agree. Let me show you guys this next clip.

  7. show you guys this next clip. show you guys this next clip. >> Yeah. So hobling is this idea in a >> Yeah. So hobling is this idea in a >> Yeah. So hobling is this idea in a research that the model is doing research that the model is doing research that the model is doing something and you're just getting in the something and you're just getting in the something and you're just getting in the way way way there. There's this kind of like way of there. There's this kind of like way of there. There's this kind of like way of thinking about it that I really like. thinking about it that I really like. thinking about it that I really like. It's very useful when you're building It's very useful when you're building It's very useful when you're building product and um it's called product product and um it's called product product and um it's called product overhang and the idea is overhang and the idea is overhang and the idea is the model is able to do all sorts of the model is able to do all sorts of the model is able to do all sorts of things with today's models not a future things with today's models not a future things with today's models not a future model but today's model that we have not model but today's model that we have not model but today's model that we have not yet realized yet realized yet realized and there are so many capabilities the and there are so many capabilities the and there are so many capabilities the model has like this that people are not model has like this that people are not model has like this that people are not aware of so there's a couple things that aware of so there's a couple things that aware of so there's a couple things that I will think about one is I will think about one is I will think about one is you should give the model slightly you should give the model slightly you should give the model slightly harder tasks than what you think it can harder tasks than what you think it can harder tasks than what you think it can do. I think a a really common mistake do. I think a a really common mistake do. I think a a really common mistake that I see is people are using cloud that I see is people are using cloud that I see is people are using cloud code. They're using cloud and they they code. They're using cloud and they they code. They're using cloud and they they just give it like way overly specific just give it like way overly specific just give it like way overly specific instructions. They're like, I want you instructions. They're like, I want you instructions. They're like, I want you to do this, but I want you to do it in to do this, but I want you to do it in to do this, but I want you to do it in this way, this way, this way. You must this way, this way, this way. You must this way, this way, this way. You must do like one, then two, then three, then do like one, then two, then three, then do like one, then two, then three, then four. And for modern models, that's four. And for modern models, that's four. And for modern models, that's actually really not the way to do it.

  8. actually really not the way to do it. actually really not the way to do it. You want to go a little bit higher You want to go a little bit higher You want to go a little bit higher level. You want to describe the task, level. You want to describe the task, level. You want to describe the task, you want to describe the guardrails, you you want to describe the guardrails, you you want to describe the guardrails, you want to describe like the exit criteria want to describe like the exit criteria want to describe like the exit criteria and then just go with the model cook and and then just go with the model cook and and then just go with the model cook and come back in a little bit and I think come back in a little bit and I think come back in a little bit and I think it'll it'll surprise you like and again it'll it'll surprise you like and again it'll it'll surprise you like and again like this is just not something that like this is just not something that like this is just not something that would have worked 6 months ago but it would have worked 6 months ago but it would have worked 6 months ago but it does work today. does work today. does work today. >> So if you weren't convinced when I said >> So if you weren't convinced when I said >> So if you weren't convinced when I said that earlier hopefully you're convinced that earlier hopefully you're convinced that earlier hopefully you're convinced now that you've heard Boris Churnney say now that you've heard Boris Churnney say now that you've heard Boris Churnney say that and I think that there's so many that and I think that there's so many that and I think that there's so many things that go into this right there's things that go into this right there's things that go into this right there's obviously the balance of using your obviously the balance of using your obviously the balance of using your closet MD in a way that doesn't hobble closet MD in a way that doesn't hobble closet MD in a way that doesn't hobble the model. Same thing with your skills. the model. Same thing with your skills. the model. Same thing with your skills. And then there's also the balance of And then there's also the balance of And then there's also the balance of actually getting an output that you actually getting an output that you actually getting an output that you like. Because I think a lot of us get like. Because I think a lot of us get like. Because I think a lot of us get frustrated when we ask cloud to do frustrated when we ask cloud to do frustrated when we ask cloud to do something, it comes back and the something, it comes back and the something, it comes back and the output's just very mediocre. But maybe output's just very mediocre. But maybe output's just very mediocre. But maybe that was on you. Maybe it was your job that was on you. Maybe it was your job that was on you. Maybe it was your job to say, hey, here is what good looks to say, hey, here is what good looks to say, hey, here is what good looks like. Because if it doesn't know what like. Because if it doesn't know what like. Because if it doesn't know what good looks like, how does it actually good looks like, how does it actually good looks like, how does it actually create something that's good? So like create something that's good? So like create something that's good? So like Boris said, you give it a highle goal. Boris said, you give it a highle goal. Boris said, you give it a highle goal. You set the standard and say basically, You set the standard and say basically, You set the standard and say basically, don't stop until you're done, until don't stop until you're done, until don't stop until you're done, until you've hit this standard. So when you you've hit this standard. So when you you've hit this standard. So when you think of setting a SL goal when you're think of setting a SL goal when you're think of setting a SL goal when you're using these AI agents, you're not just using these AI agents, you're not just using these AI agents, you're not just saying, hey, here's what good looks saying, hey, here's what good looks saying, hey, here's what good looks like. You're also saying here are X, Y, like. You're also saying here are X, Y, like. You're also saying here are X, Y, and Z things that you do in order to and Z things that you do in order to and Z things that you do in order to prove that this has been reached. And prove that this has been reached. And prove that this has been reached. And you keep iterating on that until you've you keep iterating on that until you've you keep iterating on that until you've actually proven it. You verify yourself actually proven it. You verify yourself actually proven it. You verify yourself so that I don't have to verify. For so that I don't have to verify. For so that I don't have to verify. For example, something that I've been example, something that I've been example, something that I've been throwing at the end of my SL goals after throwing at the end of my SL goals after throwing at the end of my SL goals after I've given it all the standards and the I've given it all the standards and the I've given it all the standards and the verification methods. I basically say verification methods. I basically say verification methods. I basically say like, I'm not looking for a prototype or like, I'm not looking for a prototype or like, I'm not looking for a prototype or a proof of concept. I'm looking for you a proof of concept. I'm looking for you a proof of concept. I'm looking for you to give me something that has been to give me something that has been to give me something that has been tested and iterated on 10 times and has tested and iterated on 10 times and has tested and iterated on 10 times and has been fully QA and that's ready to go to been fully QA and that's ready to go to been fully QA and that's ready to go to market tomorrow. That makes it a little market tomorrow. That makes it a little market tomorrow. That makes it a little bit more emotional. And sometimes when I bit more emotional. And sometimes when I bit more emotional. And sometimes when I prompt things with emotion, it seems to prompt things with emotion, it seems to prompt things with emotion, it seems to do better. But let's take a look at what do better. But let's take a look at what do better. But let's take a look at what Boris said about verification.

  9. Boris said about verification. Boris said about verification. >> I I think the skill nowadays is less >> I I think the skill nowadays is less >> I I think the skill nowadays is less about prompt engineering and more about about prompt engineering and more about about prompt engineering and more about figuring out how do you give claude a figuring out how do you give claude a figuring out how do you give claude a hard task? That seems a little bit too hard task? That seems a little bit too hard task? That seems a little bit too hard. And then how do you make it hard. And then how do you make it hard. And then how do you make it possible for cloud to verify its work possible for cloud to verify its work possible for cloud to verify its work along the way? And the verification I along the way? And the verification I along the way? And the verification I think is probably the single most think is probably the single most think is probably the single most important thing that people do not get important thing that people do not get important thing that people do not get right. It's really really interesting to right. It's really really interesting to right. It's really really interesting to see how the creator of Claude Code is see how the creator of Claude Code is see how the creator of Claude Code is thinking about this because the more thinking about this because the more thinking about this because the more that I get into the space and the more that I get into the space and the more that I get into the space and the more that I talk to people that are starting that I talk to people that are starting that I talk to people that are starting to get into the space, the more I to get into the space, the more I to get into the space, the more I realize that the skills that are realize that the skills that are realize that the skills that are transferring over here, it obviously transferring over here, it obviously transferring over here, it obviously doesn't matter. They're tool agnostic. doesn't matter. They're tool agnostic. doesn't matter. They're tool agnostic. If you want to use cloud code, Hermes, If you want to use cloud code, Hermes, If you want to use cloud code, Hermes, agent code, whatever it is, the tools or agent code, whatever it is, the tools or agent code, whatever it is, the tools or the skills that really are important is the skills that really are important is the skills that really are important is managing AI agents. And when I say managing AI agents. And when I say managing AI agents. And when I say managing, I mean a similar way to when managing, I mean a similar way to when managing, I mean a similar way to when you manage people. Now, I haven't been you manage people. Now, I haven't been you manage people. Now, I haven't been managing people for very long, right? managing people for very long, right? managing people for very long, right? But what I do know is that good managers But what I do know is that good managers But what I do know is that good managers don't just micromanage, right? They're don't just micromanage, right? They're don't just micromanage, right? They're not saying, "This is what you should do. not saying, "This is what you should do. not saying, "This is what you should do. This is how you do it. Go do it." They This is how you do it. Go do it." They This is how you do it. Go do it." They get out of their people's way. They get out of their people's way. They get out of their people's way. They check in with them. They review. They check in with them. They review. They check in with them. They review. They have judgment. They have taste. But they have judgment. They have taste. But they have judgment. They have taste. But they also let those people use their brains.

  10. also let those people use their brains. also let those people use their brains. Like they were hired for a reason. And Like they were hired for a reason. And Like they were hired for a reason. And so essentially, you should be thinking so essentially, you should be thinking so essentially, you should be thinking about all these agents and all these about all these agents and all these about all these agents and all these sessions that you're spinning up. You're sessions that you're spinning up. You're sessions that you're spinning up. You're using them for a reason. Outsource the using them for a reason. Outsource the using them for a reason. Outsource the thinking to them. Let them think and let thinking to them. Let them think and let thinking to them. Let them think and let them come up with ideas, but give them them come up with ideas, but give them them come up with ideas, but give them an ability to have other agents play an ability to have other agents play an ability to have other agents play devil's advocate. give them an ability devil's advocate. give them an ability devil's advocate. give them an ability to check their own work and verify. to check their own work and verify. to check their own work and verify. Outsource some of the thinking, but Outsource some of the thinking, but Outsource some of the thinking, but never outsource the understanding. At never outsource the understanding. At never outsource the understanding. At the end of the day, you're still like the end of the day, you're still like the end of the day, you're still like the founder of these agents and you are the founder of these agents and you are the founder of these agents and you are driving the vision, but they're able to driving the vision, but they're able to driving the vision, but they're able to help you so much. So, anyways, I could help you so much. So, anyways, I could help you so much. So, anyways, I could talk about this all day. I think that talk about this all day. I think that talk about this all day. I think that this is super interesting. If you guys this is super interesting. If you guys this is super interesting. If you guys want to check out this interview, it was want to check out this interview, it was want to check out this interview, it was like a 35minute interview on the Y like a 35minute interview on the Y like a 35minute interview on the Y Cominator YouTube channel. I will leave Cominator YouTube channel. I will leave Cominator YouTube channel. I will leave a link to it in the description as well. a link to it in the description as well. a link to it in the description as well. These are just some of the key These are just some of the key These are just some of the key highlights that I wanted to pull out and highlights that I wanted to pull out and highlights that I wanted to pull out and break down. And let me know if you guys break down. And let me know if you guys break down. And let me know if you guys enjoy this type of video, if you enjoy enjoy this type of video, if you enjoy enjoy this type of video, if you enjoy this type of breakdown. And hopefully this type of breakdown. And hopefully this type of breakdown. And hopefully you found it valuable, you learned you found it valuable, you learned you found it valuable, you learned something new, and there's something something new, and there's something something new, and there's something that you want to try. If you did, please that you want to try. If you did, please that you want to try. If you did, please give it a like. It helps me out a ton. give it a like. It helps me out a ton. give it a like. It helps me out a ton. And as always, I appreciate you guys And as always, I appreciate you guys And as always, I appreciate you guys making it to the end of the video, and making it to the end of the video, and making it to the end of the video, and I'll see you on the next

Summary

The main theme is why Claude models, specifically Claude Code, can appear to have degraded performance and how to address it. Key references include the creator of Claude, Anthropic, and the progression of models like Opus 5 and 4.8, with the practical takeaway being that overcomplicating system prompts can actually harm performance, and new models require re-evaluation of existing prompts and skills.

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