A developer argues that vibe coding—using AI agents like Claude Code or Codex for 100% of development—is fundamentally a hobby, not a productivity tool. The experience varies wildly: some claim full automation, while others find it unreliable for simple tasks. The core issue isn't output speed but the process itself.

The author contrasts two mindsets. For those optimizing pure output, traditional tools and tab autocomplete are often faster. But for the 100% agentic crowd, the fun lies in managing agents, crafting skills, and designing workflows. This mirrors other tech hobbies like Linux customization or computer music, where the journey matters more than the destination.

Ultimately, the discrepancy in opinions stems from people optimizing for different goals: shipping tasks versus perfecting the process. The author advises treating agentic coding like any new tech skill—approach it in good faith if you're genuinely interested. Without that intrinsic motivation, forcing full automation leads to frustration when agents fail on tasks a human could finish quickly.