Apr 6
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Most developers are using AI like a slightly better search engine. But tools like Claude Code can do far more than just generate code. But that’s not how senior engineers actually use AI. In this video, I break down the exact workflow I use to make AI genuinely useful for coding, including how to structure your environment, manage context, and design systems that let AI catch its own mistakes. If you're a developer trying to work faster and stay competitive in the AI era, this setup will completely change how you use AI for coding. Here’s what I cover 👇 ✅ Why most developers use AI wrong for coding ✅ What Claude Code actually is and how it works ✅ The importance of a clean CLAUDE.md project context ✅ Why Plan Mode prevents AI from writing bad code ✅ The clear habit that keeps AI sessions accurate ✅ How to create custom slash commands for repeated tasks ✅ Building a validation loop (tests, builds, type checks) so AI fixes its own mistakes ✅ Running multiple AI coding sessions in parallel with Git worktrees ✅ Using sub-agents and skills to automate complex workflows ✅ How MCP servers let AI interact with tools like GitHub and Slack Timestamps 0:00 Most Developers Use AI Wrong 0:54 What Claude Code Is 1:38 Setting Up CLAUDE.md 2:59 Using Plan Mode 4:37 Building a Validation Loop 5:40 Running Parallel AI Agents 7:50 MCP Servers 8:24 Practical AI Tips about me I’m Maddy, a senior software engineer (prev. at Google), with prior internships at Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, IBM, and Amazon. Sharing my journey here - thanks for watching 🤍 🔗find me on other socials Instagram https://www.instagram.com/madeline.m.zhang/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinemzhang/ Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@madeline.m.zhang 🔔 Subscribe for more tech career tips & coding content! *disclaimer: views are all my own and do not represent any current / past employer(s) #softwareengineering #aicoding #claudecode #developers #codingworkflow #programming #aitools #chatgpt #aiagents #mcp #llm #agentica #developerproductivity #softwareengineer #codingtips #techcareer #developerlife