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AI can write the code. Engineering is knowing what to test.
I’m currently working on a poker-vision system where the application needs to understand what is happening on the table — recognize cards, identify ranks, process board states, and translate visual information into usable application logic.
And this project is teaching me something important about AI-assisted development.
The difficult part isn't getting AI to change the code.
The difficult part is proving that the change actually works.
My current workflow looks more like:
Read the codebase → Understand the existing logic → Make the change → Run the test suite → Inspect the real output → Find inconsistencies → Fix → Test again.
For example, I’m currently testing multiple buyer frames against the recognition logic instead of assuming that one successful test means the system is correct.
That's a big difference.
A function can compile.
A test can pass.
The UI can render.
And the system can still be wrong.
That's why I don't want my AI workflow to be:
“Generate the code and move on.”
I want it to be:
“Make the change, challenge the result, and verify the behavior.”
This is becoming increasingly important as coding agents take on more implementation work. Modern agent workflows are already moving toward repository-wide investigation, automated tests, linting, code review, and validation rather than simply generating files. The GitHub Blog
For me, AI isn't replacing the development process.
It's changing where I spend my attention.
Less time typing every line.
More time understanding:
What should happen?
What actually happened?
Why are they different?
And how do I prove the fix is correct?
That's where the interesting engineering work begins. 🔥
For developers building with AI agents: what do you trust more a passing test, the actual application behavior, or both?
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I got my first review on Contra! I really love the request a review feature. I remember back in 2014 having to work pretty hard to land my first gig on UpWork because there was no way to get a review aside from getting a client on UpWork. Of course, getting clients with no feedback score is pretty difficult.
Shout out to Contra for adding the request a review feature! Here is what my client said about me:
"Anthony is an absolute rockstar web developer! He built our site (wakethenile.com) from the ground up, setting up our store, tour shows, music, and videos seamlessly. His technical skills and attention to detail brought our vision to life in a sleek, fully functional platform. Working with him was effortless. Anthony did an incredible job, and we’d work with him again in a heartbeat. If you need a developer who delivers top-tier results, hire Anthony!"
Very happy to share that my work is on Awwwards. Again.
This is my third Awwwards nomination this year. The previous two projects received an Honorable Mention and a No-Code Honors award, so let's see how this one does.
Over the past few months, I've helped Rozalia Boma bring her website to life, and it's easily one of the most whimsical projects I've ever designed.
Inspired by her nostalgic, multicultural YA romances, we embraced a bold Y2K aesthetic with holographic backgrounds, floating emojis, magical mouse trails, a retro music player, draggable sections, a guestbook, a dress-up mini-game, and plenty of playful interactions.
To be honest, I wasn't sure a project this unconventional would resonate with a platform like Awwwards. It breaks plenty of web design conventions, but it connects deeply with its audience. Users spend an average of 4.5 minutes exploring the site, which I'm pretty proud of.
If you'd like to check it out or throw a vote its way:
https://www.awwwards.com/sites/rozalia-boma-writer w
The 4.5-minute average dwell time is the number that matters here — it's proof the dress-up mini-game and guestbook aren't just decoration, they're what's actually keeping people on the site.