Why Specifications Matter More Than Code

Specifications are more valuable than code itself, representing 80-90% of a programmer's contribution through structured communication. As AI models become more capable, clear specification writing becomes the most critical skill. Specifications serve as executable documentation that can generate multiple outputs (code, documentation, tests) and act as alignment anchors for teams and AI systems. The author demonstrates this with examples from AI model development, comparing specifications to legal documents like constitutions that guide behavior and decision-making.