How to Use Progressive Disclosure to Improve Coding Agent Performance

Progressive disclosure is a technique that can enhance the performance of coding agents. Coding agents are becoming increasingly popular among software engineers, with new tools and frameworks released daily. However, this rapid pace can cause anxiety and make it difficult to keep up.

Coding agents have their advantages, allowing users to learn and implement new skills quickly. However, the constant influx of new information can be overwhelming. The author, a software engineer, has noticed the trend of building new tools and projects, some even creating their own version control systems. One notable example is Anthropic's in-house version control system for their monorepo.

In a recent conversation with themselves, the author decided to stop worrying about their setup and focus on getting things done while enjoying the process. This change of mindset led to a better outcome for a seemingly simple task at work: adding a CSV download button to an internal tool.

The task seemed straightforward. The agent was provided with a clear prompt outlining the requirements for the button, API, backend, and frontend. By employing progressive disclosure, the agent was able to efficiently accomplish the task without overwhelming itself with unnecessary details. This approach allowed the author to complete the task in a timely manner while maintaining a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction.