Agentic coding, explained
Instead of requesting one code snippet at a time, you assign a piece of work. The agent carries out several connected steps and reports what it changed.
Agentic coding is a way to develop software by giving an AI agent a goal and letting it plan, write, test, and revise the code within set boundaries.
The task starts with an outcome
A request such as "add an approval step to this expense tool" gives the agent a goal. The agent can inspect the relevant files, divide the work into smaller tasks, and change the code.
This does not make the request self-explanatory. The person assigning the work still needs to define the expected behavior and any limits on access.
The agent checks its own work
Agentic coding includes a feedback loop. The agent can run a test or command, read the result, and revise the change when the check fails.
That loop catches some mistakes, but it does not replace accountability. Organizations should restrict what an agent can access and require a person to review its work before it enters the main project.
Terms used in agentic coding
- Coding agent
- Software that reasons about a development goal and uses tools to complete the work.
- Tool access
- Permission for an agent to read files, change code, run commands, or use another system.
- Human review
- A person checks the proposed change before it becomes part of the main project.
What to check before using it
Give it a bounded task
Name the outcome, the files it may change, and the actions it must not take.
Require evidence
Ask for test results or another clear check that shows whether the change works.
Keep a person in the loop
Review the change before it reaches a live system or important business data.
Questions about agentic coding
An assistant usually answers a question or suggests code for the next step. An agent can take a broader goal, choose a sequence of actions, use development tools, and check the result.
An agent can complete many steps with limited intervention. A person should still review important changes, especially when they affect money, permissions, sensitive data, or a live system.
A good task names the required outcome, the allowed scope, and the check for success. It also states which files, systems, or actions are off limits.
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