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Simon Willison Formalizes Agentic Engineering Patterns

Agentic Engineering Coding Agents LLMs Claude Code Generative AI AI-Assisted Programming Web Development
February 23, 2026
Source: Simon Willison
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Incremental Formalization
Media Hype 4/10
Real Impact 5/10

Article Summary

Simon Willison is embarking on a structured project to codify 'Agentic Engineering Patterns,' a rapidly evolving approach to software development centered around leveraging coding agents such as Claude Code and OpenAI Codex. His goal is to translate the practical experience gained from experimenting with these agents into a documented, reusable set of patterns. The initial output, titled ‘Agentic Engineering Patterns,’ takes the form of a ‘guide’ – a collection of interconnected chapters, akin to a blog series but designed for ongoing updates and evergreen content. Willison emphasizes the significant shift in development costs afforded by agents, challenging traditional software engineering instincts. He’s employing a deliberate approach, rejecting AI-generated content for the core writing, and using LLMs for supporting tasks. This is less about a groundbreaking technology release and more about the process of formalizing a new development methodology.

Key Points

  • Simon Willison is creating a documented set of ‘Agentic Engineering Patterns’ to guide developers using coding agents.
  • The project utilizes a ‘guide’ format – a collection of evolving chapters – to capture ongoing developments in Agentic Engineering.
  • Willison’s focus is on translating his practical experience with coding agents like Claude Code into actionable patterns for other engineers.

Why It Matters

This isn’t a new foundational model or a massive shift in LLM capabilities. However, Willison’s work represents a crucial step in the practical adoption of Agentic Engineering. As coding agents become more prevalent, the need for structured knowledge and best practices will intensify. This project addresses the growing gap between experimentation and standardized development, offering a resource for engineers seeking to master this rapidly evolving field. It’s an important contribution to the emerging ecosystem around coding agents, offering a tangible way to learn and apply this approach.

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