I created my first AI-assisted pull request for Chroma, the default syntax highlighter in Hugo, using Claude Code. I didn't learn anything, feeling like I was flinging slop over the wall to maintainer Alec. It was approved and merged, but I felt like a fraud and my impostor syndrome worsened.

This experience highlights a growing tension: while AI tools enable contributions, they can strip away the learning and craftsmanship developers value. The author contrasts this with delivering impactful fixes using AI at work, feeling empty regardless of the outcome. They question whether they tied their identity too closely to their career and whether the industry's focus on speed over craftsmanship is sustainable.

The author concludes with uncertainty about their place in a field where AI is becoming the norm, even as shareholders prioritize features over how they're built.