'Code Mode' Debate: Should LLMs Write Programs Instead of Calling Tools

Simon Willison argued that 'code mode'—LLMs writing programs rather than calling individual tools—is the future, saving context and matching training distributions. The debate extended to Snowflake's Cortex Code, with Willison distinguishing token-saving tool toggles from writing full programs against typed APIs.

2026-11-07 ~ 2026-11-08 · 4 related posts

• Simon Willison: 'Code mode' is the future — LLMs should write programs, not call tools — springrod · 2026-11-07
• "Code mode is the future": LLMs should write programs instead of calling many tools — ayirpelle · 2026-11-08
• springrod critiques Snowflake's context layer: SQL-only, single account, no recursion — springrod · 2026-11-08
• Not all code mode is equal: token-saver SQL vs. one program over a typed API of everything — springrod · 2026-11-08