Google open-sources EGM, the plugin its engineers use to stop AI shipping sloppy code
thisguyknowsai · x · 2026-10-31
Google open-sourced the Elephant-Goldfish Model (EGM), a coding plugin used daily by thousands of its engineers, built on a simple split: design with context, implement without it.
- Elephant: one long-running AI session that holds all project context—architecture, intent, every small decision—but writes zero code. It interviews you, debates options, and drafts a Markdown spec covering the problem, plan, alternatives, and exact files to change.
- Goldfish: fresh, zero-context AI sessions that review the draft spec and referenced source. Never having seen the design conversation, they don't inherit its blind spots and expose unstated assumptions.
- Humans make architectural trade-offs and approve the spec before any code is written.
The workflow runs in three stages: egm-brainstorm (debate under a strict no-code rule), egm-draft (produce the design doc), and egm-review (zero-context subagents stress-test it). Meant for features needing design decisions; small clear bug fixes can use your normal workflow. Installs with one command into Antigravity CLI/App, Claude Code, Codex, and more.
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