Agents That Write Code

Cursor, Claude Code, and GitHub Copilot Workspace are agents specifically for writing software..

Builders · Agentic AI · ~11 min read

Agents That Write Code

Cursor, Claude Code, and GitHub Copilot Workspace are agents specifically for writing software.

They don't just suggest one line — they take a goal ('add a search feature'), write code across multiple files, run tests, and fix bugs they find.

Three things coding agents do

Write code across multiple files
Run tests and fix failures
Suggest refactors based on best practices

Key terms in this lesson

The big idea: Coding agents are changing how software gets built — humans review what AI drafts.

Practice this safely

Try this with a school, hobby, or family example where the stakes are low. Use the AI output as a draft you can question, not as the final answer.

1Ask AI to explain Cursor in plain language, then underline anything that sounds uncertain or too broad.
2Give it one detail from "Agents That Write Code" and ask for two possible next steps plus one reason each step might be wrong.
3Check Claude Code against a trusted source, teacher, adult, expert, or original document before you use it.

End-of-lesson quiz

Check what stuck

8 questions · Score saves to your progress.

Lesson help

Questions are best handled with a grown-up here.

For this age range, Tendril keeps freeform AI chat paused until parent/guardian consent and child-safe moderation are fully verified. Use the quiz, notes, and related lessons below, or ask a parent, guardian, teacher, or librarian to work through the question with you.

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Agents That Write Code