About AI Coding Fluency

What is your level?

Level 1: Copy-Paste Pilot

• Treats ChatGPT like Stack Overflow with extra steps
• Ships code without reviewing it
• Lost when things break
• No real productivity boost compared to average devs

Level 2: Prompt Tinkerer

• Runs AI-generated code and sometimes tests it
• Spots the most obvious issues
• Still struggles with anything complex
• Gains are minor and inconsistent

Level 3: Productive Driver

• Breaks problems into well-structured prompts
• Cross-checks docs and fixes AI errors
• Achieves a steady 20–30% speed improvement

Level 4: Workflow Pro

• Chains tools together, automates tests, docs, and reviews
• Knows when to lean on AI and when to go manual
• Produces about twice as much as a solo coder

Level 5: Code Cyborg

• Creates custom agents, plugins, and assistants
• Designs projects with AI as a core building block
• Operates at a whole new pace — up to 10x faster

Based on a reddit post.