Your Vibe-Coded App Can Look Right And Fall Apart After Launch. REA Shows You How Real Teams Build.

You may have seen You may have seen REA “shoot” this REA “shoot” this REA “shoot” this month, or maybe month, or maybe month, or maybe you missed it. But you missed it. But you missed it. But in any case, you in any case, you in any case, you should pay attention to this should pay attention to this should pay attention to this . Reverse . Reverse . Reverse engineering anything. engineering anything. engineering anything. Over 100,000 stars on Over 100,000 stars on Over 100,000 stars on GitHub in a few days, and the GitHub in a few days, and the GitHub in a few days, and the loudest statements loudest statements loudest statements claim that claim that claim that software development is software development is software development is over. I don't think so over. I don't think so over. I don't think so . You . You . You know exactly what know exactly what know exactly what your your your software is supposed to do. What you software is supposed to do. What you software is supposed to do. What you never get to never get to never get to see is see is see is how a real team how a real team how a real team turns that turns that turns that desire into something that desire into something that desire into something that actually works. This actually works. This actually works. This gap between business gap between business requirements and how requirements and how requirements and how things work things work things work internally is one of the internally is one of the internally is one of the most difficult most difficult most difficult problems in problems in problems in technology. This is why technology. This is why technology. This is why so much of what so much of what so much of what people "code" people "code" people "code" randomly looks randomly looks randomly looks good but good but good but falls apart immediately falls apart immediately falls apart immediately upon launch. REA upon launch. REA upon launch. REA closes a significant closes a significant closes a significant part of this part of this part of this gap. It gap. It gap. It connects to connects to connects to cloud code or cloud code or cloud code or repositories and repositories and repositories and allows your AI allows your AI allows your AI to open software on your to open software on your to open software on your computer and computer and computer and show you how it's show you how it's show you how it's actually built actually built . You are not . You are not . You are not cloning anyone. You learn cloning anyone. You learn cloning anyone. You learn from people who have done the from people who have done the from people who have done the hard work so you hard work so you hard work so you can learn how to can learn how to can learn how to build better build better software. software. See, there are two very See, there are two very See, there are two very different ways to different ways to different ways to use this use this use this tool. If you are a tool. If you are a tool. If you are a software developer, this is an software developer, this is an software developer, this is an accelerator. If not, it accelerator. If not, it 's an X-ray 's an X-ray 's an X-ray machine, you know? I'll machine, you know? I'll machine, you know? I'll show you both show you both show you both options. I'll start with the one that options. I'll start with the one that options. I'll start with the one that most most most people overlook.

people overlook. people overlook. Think about an Think about an authenticator app on authenticator app on your phone. your phone. your phone. You probably have one. You probably have one. You probably have one. Six Six Six numbers appear, a timer numbers appear, a timer numbers appear, a timer counts down, and counts down, and counts down, and the numbers change. You the numbers change. You the numbers change. You probably probably probably use something use something use something similar to log in to your similar to log in to your similar to log in to your work account. But work account. But work account. But where does this where does this where does this number come from? What makes him number come from? What makes him number come from? What makes him change? What would you change? What would you change? What would you actually have to actually have to actually have to create if you create if you create if you wanted to make wanted to make wanted to make such a tool such a tool such a tool yourself? Rea yourself? Rea yourself? Rea published published published a study on Aegis—an a study on Aegis—an a study on Aegis—an Android Android Android authentication app. They authentication app. They authentication app. They took the released took the released took the released application package and application package and application package and tracked down the code that tracked down the code that tracked down the code that generates these numbers. generates these numbers. generates these numbers. The calculation combines The calculation combines The calculation combines the account key with the account key with the account key with the current time, the current time, the current time, grouped into 30- grouped into 30- second intervals. second intervals. second intervals. This essentially shows This essentially shows This essentially shows you how everything works. The same you how everything works. The same you how everything works. The same key key key in the same interval in the same interval in the same interval can produce the same can produce the same can produce the same code. Then code. Then code. Then they did a they did a they did a little little little demonstration where you demonstration where you demonstration where you can change the time can change the time can change the time and watch the and watch the and watch the result change result change . The point here is not that . The point here is not that . The point here is not that you want to create an you want to create an authenticator app, authenticator app, right? The point is that right? The point is that right? The point is that you can take the you can take the you can take the simplest examples of simplest examples of simplest examples of software that you've always software that you've always software that you've always wondered about: "How does this work?" " wondered about: "How does this work?" " wondered about: "How does this work?" " I want to do something I want to do something I want to do something similar, but similar, but similar, but more perfect" or "I more perfect" or "I more perfect" or "I want to do something want to do something want to do something similar, but a little similar, but a little similar, but a little different." Now you different." Now you different." Now you understand how it understand how it understand how it works. You can works. You can works. You can move from move from move from contemplating six contemplating six contemplating six mysterious numbers to mysterious numbers to mysterious numbers to truly truly truly understanding and dissecting the understanding and dissecting the understanding and dissecting the relationship that relationship that relationship that these numbers create. You these numbers create. You these numbers create. You might ask, which might ask, which might ask, which part depends on part depends on part depends on the watch and which part depends on the watch and which part depends on the watch and which part depends on the account. You have a the account. You have a the account. You have a real real real implementation of everything implementation of everything you want. It you want. It you want. It doesn't have to doesn't have to doesn't have to be an be an be an authentication program. It doesn't have to authentication program. It doesn't have to authentication program. It doesn't have to be a be a be a calendar app.

calendar app. calendar app. It can be anything on It can be anything on It can be anything on the internet that can be the internet that can be the internet that can be researched with researched with researched with the help of an agent the help of an agent the help of an agent who will help you who will help you who will help you understand everything. And that's what understand everything. And that's what understand everything. And that's what interests me. It's interests me. It's interests me. It's like getting like getting like getting X-ray vision X-ray vision X-ray vision for all the for all the software in the software in the computer world. All of these computer world. All of these computer world. All of these things that you things that you things that you interact with every day interact with every day interact with every day contain decisions contain decisions contain decisions made by someone made by someone made by someone else. And now you have a else. And now you have a else. And now you have a way to start seeing way to start seeing way to start seeing these solutions in detail. these solutions in detail. these solutions in detail. You can ask You can ask You can ask questions about them. questions about them. questions about them. You can learn from You can learn from You can learn from them. Yes, you, them. Yes, you, them. Yes, you, including those who have including those who have including those who have never written a never written a never written a single line of code. And there single line of code. And there single line of code. And there are already people who are are already people who are are already people who are using this using this using this for much for much for much larger larger larger projects. The authentication program projects. The authentication program is just a small thing. You is just a small thing. You can take on can take on can take on much more serious much more serious much more serious things. One developer things. One developer things. One developer has already used REA to has already used REA to has already used REA to research parts of research parts of research parts of QuickBooks Desktop and then QuickBooks Desktop and then QuickBooks Desktop and then created a standalone created a standalone created a standalone accounting accounting accounting application. We'll application. We'll application. We'll look at what this look at what this look at what this actually actually actually implied, because implied, because implied, because the most interesting thing is the most interesting thing is the most interesting thing is how the research how the research how the research helped connect helped connect helped connect the behavior of software to the the behavior of software to the the behavior of software to the process of creating process of creating process of creating something else. People something else. People something else. People call REA the end of call REA the end of software. God, software. God, how often have we how often have we how often have we heard this? I'm so heard this? I'm so heard this? I'm so tired of this. I tired of this. I tired of this. I think this ignores the think this ignores the think this ignores the fact that few people fact that few people fact that few people understand the software they already understand the software they already understand the software they already use, let alone the software they use, let alone the software they are trying to create . Giving more of . Giving more of . Giving more of us a us a us a way to gain way to gain way to gain knowledge is a positive thing.

knowledge is a positive thing. knowledge is a positive thing. This is a huge deal, This is a huge deal, This is a huge deal, especially now that an especially now that an especially now that an agent can write agent can write agent can write most of the code most of the code most of the code for you. You still for you. You still for you. You still need to understand what need to understand what need to understand what this code is supposed to do. this code is supposed to do. this code is supposed to do. But for someone who But for someone who But for someone who is not a developer, this is a is not a developer, this is a is not a developer, this is a huge advantage. huge advantage. huge advantage. Actually, I'll go further Actually, I'll go further . In my opinion, for a non- . In my opinion, for a non- developer, REA performs developer, REA performs developer, REA performs two key tasks. two key tasks. two key tasks. First, understand First, understand First, understand the the the software you software you software you want to build. We've want to build. We've want to build. We've already talked a little already talked a little already talked a little about this: what about this: what about this: what components are needed, components are needed, components are needed, what should happen what should happen what should happen inside. Second, inside. Second, inside. Second, understand why the understand why the understand why the implementation made the implementation made the implementation made the specific engineering specific engineering specific engineering decisions so you can decisions so you can decisions so you can decide which ones are decide which ones are decide which ones are right for your right for your right for your product. For product. For product. For a developer, the question a developer, the question a developer, the question often sounds narrower. often sounds narrower. often sounds narrower. How did they do it? Does How did they do it? Does How did they do it? Does this solve my this solve my this solve my problem? Will I be able to problem? Will I be able to problem? Will I be able to speed up my work speed up my work speed up my work by knowing this? Okay, by knowing this? Okay, by knowing this? Okay, now I understand. now I understand. now I understand. They drove. Or let's tell They drove. Or let's tell They drove. Or let's tell my AI to start my AI to start my AI to start working, as it will be in working, as it will be in working, as it will be in 2026. Do you see the 2026. Do you see the 2026. Do you see the main conclusion? main conclusion? main conclusion? The point is that you The point is that you The point is that you can have the can have the can have the same same same REA tool, but with different REA tool, but with different REA tool, but with different initial knowledge, initial knowledge, initial knowledge, you use you use you use it differently. So, it differently. So, it differently. So, like any like any like any tool, you have to tool, you have to tool, you have to learn learn learn to use it well. to use it well. to use it well. So, let's take a So, let's take a So, let's take a closer closer closer look at what REA look at what REA look at what REA looks like in practice.

looks like in practice. looks like in practice. Let's say you want to Let's say you want to Let's say you want to create a tool create a tool create a tool for your own for your own for your own research. You want to research. You want to research. You want to collect excerpts from collect excerpts from collect excerpts from different documents, different documents, different documents, place notes place notes place notes next to them, and next to them, and next to them, and find it all find it all find it all when you sit down to write. when you sit down to write. when you sit down to write. You don't want a You don't want a You don't want a cluttered cluttered cluttered desktop. You desktop. You desktop. You know this job. You know this job. You know this job. You know what annoys you know what annoys you know what annoys you about the tools about the tools about the tools you use. This you use. This you use. This gives you a compelling gives you a compelling gives you a compelling reason reason reason to create something. But knowing the to create something. But knowing the to create something. But knowing the work does not automatically give you an work does not automatically give you an understanding of how to understanding of how to represent it in represent it in software. I software. I can't emphasize can't emphasize can't emphasize this enough. Is this enough. Is this enough. Is a quote just a quote just a quote just text on a page? text on a page? text on a page? Is it a separate Is it a separate Is it a separate object with an object with an object with an associated source? associated source? associated source? When you copy it to When you copy it to When you copy it to another project, what should be another project, what should be another project, what should be carried over with carried over with carried over with it? If you it? If you it? If you edit a copy, edit a copy, edit a copy, should should should the original be changed? These are real the original be changed? These are real the original be changed? These are real technical requirements that technical requirements that technical requirements that you will have to you will have to you will have to discover. And each discover. And each discover. And each answer answer answer will push you will push you will push you towards different technical towards different technical towards different technical solutions. This is where solutions. This is where solutions. This is where many of the people many of the people many of the people I look over I look over I look over begin to falter. begin to falter. begin to falter. This is really difficult. This is This is really difficult. This is This is really difficult. This is extremely difficult. extremely difficult. extremely difficult. You can't always You can't always You can't always first understand first understand first understand what you want and then what you want and then what you want and then pass the finished pass the finished pass the finished requirements on to someone else, requirements on to someone else, requirements on to someone else, because sometimes you because sometimes you because sometimes you discover them in the discover them in the discover them in the process. Sometimes it's process. Sometimes it's process. Sometimes it's just seeing how the just seeing how the just seeing how the system works that system works that system works that allows you allows you allows you to recognize the requirement at all. You to recognize the requirement at all. You to recognize the requirement at all. You didn't know a certain didn't know a certain didn't know a certain difference mattered difference mattered difference mattered until you until you until you saw what it saw what it saw what it made possible. Then it made possible. Then it made possible. Then it became important. I've became important. I've became important. I've literally been that literally been that literally been that person for over a person for over a person for over a decade, looking decade, looking decade, looking over the shoulder of over the shoulder of over the shoulder of developers, and REA is developers, and REA is developers, and REA is something I would give something I would give something I would give anything for. Notion's research anything for. Notion's research anything for. Notion's research in Rea gives us a very in Rea gives us a very in Rea gives us a very concrete example here. It concrete example here. It concrete example here. It all starts with a all starts with a all starts with a simple action. You simple action. You simple action. You are copying something. Rea are copying something. Rea are copying something. Rea helps find the helps find the helps find the exposed clipboard interface of a exposed clipboard interface of a desktop application, desktop application, reads the surrounding reads the surrounding reads the surrounding code, and connects this code, and connects this code, and connects this interface to the system.

interface to the system. interface to the system. The study also The study also The study also examines the saved examines the saved examines the saved code of the web editor code of the web editor code of the web editor to understand how to understand how to understand how the copy can preserve the copy can preserve Notion's richer block structures. In Notion's richer block structures. In this code, Notion then this code, Notion then this code, Notion then sends the text in sends the text in sends the text in HTML format to the clipboard HTML format to the clipboard HTML format to the clipboard . It also . It also . It also stores the stores the stores the structured data of structured data of structured data of the blocks locally and the blocks locally and the blocks locally and adds an ID adds an ID adds an ID to the HTML. So when you to the HTML. So when you to the HTML. So when you click "insert" click "insert" , this identifier , this identifier , this identifier can reconnect the can reconnect the can reconnect the visible content to the visible content to the visible content to the saved saved saved structure. The structure. The structure. The recorded unit recorded unit recorded unit test gets the test gets the test gets the extended block data extended block data extended block data back when back when back when the identifiers the identifiers the identifiers match. All of this is match. All of this is match. All of this is possible because possible because possible because we used Rea we used Rea we used Rea to understand how Notion to understand how Notion to understand how Notion does it. Now does it. Now does it. Now , see what this , see what this , see what this teaches you about the teaches you about the teaches you about the research research research application we're application we're application we're talking about. Previously, you talking about. Previously, you talking about. Previously, you could tell your could tell your could tell your developer, "make developer, "make developer, "make copy and copy and copy and paste work." paste work." paste work." This is an extremely This is an extremely This is an extremely valid question, but what does valid question, but what does valid question, but what does it mean? Is it mean? Is it mean? Is the quote being carried over? the quote being carried over? the quote being carried over? Is the Is the Is the source link transferred? source link transferred? source link transferred? Does Does Does the note you the note you the note you add get transferred? How much do add get transferred? How much do add get transferred? How much do these details concern you these details concern you these details concern you ? It is these ? It is these ? It is these details that make details that make details that make the software the software perfect. You can perfect. You can have words on the screen have words on the screen have words on the screen and still lose and still lose and still lose something that is very important to you something that is very important to you something that is very important to you , and you may , and you may , and you may not even know not even know not even know it until you build, it until you build, it until you build, which has been the which has been the which has been the bane of bane of bane of programmers "on programmers "on programmers "on vibe" for over a year now. This is a much vibe" for over a year now. This is a much vibe" for over a year now. This is a much deeper conversation that deeper conversation that deeper conversation that you can have before you even you can have before you even you can have before you even build the build the build the entire editor. Rea entire editor. Rea entire editor. Rea makes it possible.

makes it possible. makes it possible. You discover what You discover what You discover what your your your information needs to be information needs to be information needs to be effective in a effective in a effective in a computer computer computer environment. If environment. If environment. If the connection between a quote the connection between a quote the connection between a quote and a source is and a source is and a source is important, you will important, you will important, you will have to find a have to find a have to find a way to preserve that way to preserve that way to preserve that connection. You can connection. You can connection. You can ask your ask your ask your agent to show you a agent to show you a agent to show you a simple way to simple way to simple way to present and present and present and ask what it ask what it ask what it involves involves involves to copy such a to copy such a to copy such a presentation. All of this presentation. All of this we're talking about we're talking about we're talking about impacts the tech impacts the tech impacts the tech stack you stack you stack you choose. An editor choose. An editor choose. An editor that handles a that handles a that handles a plain text page plain text page plain text page gives you one gives you one gives you one starting point. starting point. starting point. An editor that An editor that An editor that needs to keep needs to keep needs to keep separate quotes, separate quotes, separate quotes, notes, and links notes, and links notes, and links gives you a completely different, gives you a completely different, gives you a completely different, much more complicated much more complicated much more complicated starting point. starting point. starting point. The way you store The way you store The way you store information should information should information should support what support what support what you want you want you want to do with it. That's the more important to do with it. That's the more important to do with it. That's the more important lesson of 2026, guys. lesson of 2026, guys. lesson of 2026, guys. You learn both what to You learn both what to You learn both what to ask for ask for and what technology should and what technology should and what technology should support support support . And if you . And if you . And if you think that none of the think that none of the think that none of the components of your components of your components of your idea match up with idea match up with idea match up with previous previous software, I have software, I have news for you. This is not news for you. This is not news for you. This is not true. Maybe you have a true. Maybe you have a true. Maybe you have a very specific very specific very specific combination of needs. combination of needs. combination of needs. Your workflow Your workflow Your workflow may be unusual, may be unusual, may be unusual, but I promise you that other but I promise you that other but I promise you that other people have already worked people have already worked people have already worked on editors, on editors, document storage, searching, document storage, searching, copying, copying, copying, linking, linking, linking, moving moving moving information—anything information—anything information—anything in a computer in a computer in a computer environment. People environment. People environment. People were already working on this. You were already working on this. You were already working on this. You can learn from these can learn from these can learn from these solutions while solutions while solutions while you develop your own.

you develop your own. you develop your own. Whatever your Whatever your Whatever your topic, I am confident in topic, I am confident in topic, I am confident in this. Note that this. Note that you didn't need to you didn't need to you didn't need to know all the details or know all the details or know all the details or understand what understand what understand what the term " the term " structured block structured block data" means. All you data" means. All you data" means. All you had to come with was had to come with was had to come with was curiosity and a desire curiosity and a desire curiosity and a desire to understand what to understand what to understand what you were working on and you were working on and you were working on and creating. And then you creating. And then you creating. And then you keep asking keep asking keep asking REA questions until you REA questions until you REA questions until you understand understand understand the connection yourself. And this is actually the connection yourself. And this is actually the connection yourself. And this is actually your first job. your first job. your first job. Understand what you Understand what you Understand what you are trying are trying are trying to build. Your to build. Your to build. Your second job is to start second job is to start second job is to start asking why asking why asking why someone organized someone organized someone organized things the way they did, and to be things the way they did, and to be things the way they did, and to be persistently persistently persistently curious, because that will curious, because that will curious, because that will lead you to lead you to lead you to understand what you understand what you understand what you want to change. So want to change. So want to change. So let's take the let's take the let's take the clipboard design. Why clipboard design. Why clipboard design. Why have plain text have plain text have plain text and HTML, and a separate, and HTML, and a separate, and HTML, and a separate, richer richer richer presentation? presentation? presentation? Think about what Think about what Think about what each of them allows each of them allows . Other programs . Other programs . Other programs can do something with the can do something with the can do something with the text. Your own text. Your own text. Your own application can be application can be application can be aware of links and aware of links and aware of links and editing functions. editing functions. editing functions. And you need to And you need to And you need to figure out, if you're figure out, if you're figure out, if you're designing a designing a designing a research research research tool, how much of tool, how much of tool, how much of all these other requirements all these other requirements all these other requirements that you've learned that you've learned that you've learned are retained after a are retained after a are retained after a certain certain certain copy-paste operation.

copy-paste operation. copy-paste operation. Copy and Copy and Copy and paste is on my paste is on my paste is on my mind right now because mind right now because mind right now because just a few weeks just a few weeks just a few weeks ago I told you ago I told you ago I told you how I created an active how I created an active how I created an active clipboard manager clipboard manager clipboard manager . So I . So I . So I thought about it a lot, and I regret thought about it a lot, and I regret that REA didn't exist at that REA didn't exist at that REA didn't exist at that time. That would be that time. That would be that time. That would be interesting. Then REA also interesting. Then REA also interesting. Then REA also helps us helps us helps us ask about ask about ask about hidden hidden software costs. If software costs. If your extended your extended your extended information depends information depends information depends on a stored on a stored on a stored local local local data record, what happens data record, what happens data record, what happens when that record disappears when that record disappears ? What is the ? What is the ? What is the delete function? Where, where does delete function? Where, where does delete function? Where, where does this dead this dead this dead information go? What information go? What information go? What happens when the content happens when the content happens when the content ends up on another ends up on another ends up on another computer? Does computer? Does computer? Does your your your app need to add app need to add app need to add more information to the more information to the more information to the copied content copied content ? Would a separate ? Would a separate ? Would a separate export be a better export be a better export be a better choice? Basically, choice? Basically, choice? Basically, you can find where there you can find where there are dead are dead ends in the software or even what ends in the software or even what ends in the software or even what I would call bugs I would call bugs that you don't want to that you don't want to that you don't want to repeat. So these are repeat. So these are repeat. So these are all questions all questions all questions you should you should you should think about when think about when think about when designing, designing, designing, driven by driven by driven by observed observed observed implementation. We implementation. We implementation. We can, for the first time, can, for the first time, can, for the first time, reflect on the reflect on the reflect on the consequences without pretending to consequences without pretending to consequences without pretending to know everything know everything know everything in advance. If in advance. If in advance. If the original team the original team the original team posted posted posted an explanation, which they an explanation, which they an explanation, which they almost never do, almost never do, almost never do, that's great. But we don't that's great. But we don't that's great. But we don't have to have that.

have to have that. have to have that. We can simply We can simply We can simply ask the agent ask the agent ask the agent to understand the code and to understand the code and to understand the code and help us help us help us interpret it together. interpret it together. interpret it together. You can work with You can work with You can work with Codeex and Claude to Codeex and Claude to Codeex and Claude to do this. You are now, whether do this. You are now, whether do this. You are now, whether you like it or not, you like it or not, you like it or not, participating in an participating in an participating in an engineering conversation. engineering conversation. engineering conversation. You might say You might say You might say I need the I need the I need the source to be preserved source to be preserved source to be preserved when I send this when I send this when I send this quote to a colleague, even quote to a colleague, even quote to a colleague, even if they don't if they don't if they don't use my use my use my app. Or you app. Or you app. Or you could say that this could say that this could say that this should only work should only work should only work within my workspace within my workspace within my workspace , and a simple , and a simple , and a simple approach is approach is approach is sufficient. In sufficient. In any case, it's up to any case, it's up to any case, it's up to you. You you. You you. You better understand what you better understand what you better understand what you are asking for and what the are asking for and what the are asking for and what the implementation should implementation should implementation should preserve. You are preserve. You are preserve. You are smarter as a leader smarter as a leader smarter as a leader for AI, which is another for AI, which is another for AI, which is another big theme this big theme this big theme this year. There is another year. There is another year. There is another example of REA that example of REA that example of REA that makes this problem makes this problem makes this problem almost laughably almost laughably almost laughably clear. The clear. The clear. The percent button in the percent button in the percent button in the Windows calculator. Windows calculator. Windows calculator. Enter 200 + 10% and you Enter 200 + 10% and you Enter 200 + 10% and you get 220. Enter get 220. Enter get 220. Enter 200*10% and you get 20. 200*10% and you get 20. 200*10% and you get 20. Same button, Same button, Same button, different context. If different context. If different context. If you investigate this, and REA you investigate this, and REA you investigate this, and REA did, you did, you did, you will find that the will find that the will find that the installed installed calculator library and the calculator library and the restored branch behind restored branch behind restored branch behind this behavior this behavior this behavior help you help you help you figure out what it figure out what it figure out what it does. After does. After does. After adding 10%, it becomes 10% adding 10%, it becomes 10% of the first number.

of the first number. of the first number. After the multiplication, it After the multiplication, it After the multiplication, it uses uses uses the operation you already the operation you already the operation you already selected to selected to selected to contextually contextually contextually decide what decide what decide what that button means when you that button means when you that button means when you press it. Imagine press it. Imagine press it. Imagine giving this giving this giving this task to an AI task to an AI developer for developer for developer for something simple like something simple like a calculator. I a calculator. I a calculator. I need a need a need a percent button. Okay, percent button. Okay, percent button. Okay, great. The agent can great. The agent can great. The agent can provide it to you. But provide it to you. But provide it to you. But until you consider until you consider until you consider all these different situations all these different situations , you haven't actually , you haven't actually , you haven't actually identified the actual identified the actual identified the actual behavior. A screenshot behavior. A screenshot behavior. A screenshot won't fix this, will won't fix this, will won't fix this, will it? An analysis of the it? An analysis of the it? An analysis of the working implementation working implementation working implementation can suggest what is can suggest what is can suggest what is missing here. It missing here. It missing here. It shows that percentages are shows that percentages are shows that percentages are important in context, important in context, important in context, and you need to and you need to and you need to implement implement implement contextual contextual contextual awareness into your awareness into your awareness into your calculator. And this calculator. And this calculator. And this applies to much more applies to much more applies to much more serious decisions. serious decisions. serious decisions. When you say " When you say " send send send reminder", when does the reminder", when does the reminder", when does the countdown start countdown start countdown start ? By the way, I've seen ? By the way, I've seen ? By the way, I've seen real-life examples of real-life examples of real-life examples of this where Muse and other this where Muse and other this where Muse and other agents sent agents sent agents sent reminders reminders reminders late because the late because the late because the countdown started countdown started countdown started late. So this is not a late. So this is not a late. So this is not a theory. People theory. People theory. People are facing this in are facing this in are facing this in 2026. Or when you 2026. Or when you 2026. Or when you say "approve say "approve say "approve request", what request", what request", what access rights are changed? access rights are changed? access rights are changed? When you say " When you say " cancel," how much cancel," how much cancel," how much work should disappear?

work should disappear? Understanding the actual Understanding the actual implementation helps you implementation helps you implementation helps you go beyond the go beyond the go beyond the general description of a general description of a general description of a feature and feature and feature and delve into the delve into the delve into the solutions that make solutions that make solutions that make it useful. It's like it useful. It's like it useful. It's like we're watching a teaser for we're watching a teaser for we're watching a teaser for "The Odyssey" but not "The Odyssey" but not "The Odyssey" but not seeing the whole movie. seeing the whole movie. seeing the whole movie. That's why I don't want to That's why I don't want to That's why I don't want to downplay what's downplay what's downplay what's happening here with REA. happening here with REA. happening here with REA. We get We get We get the chance to see the the chance to see the the chance to see the entire film. We entire film. We entire film. We get to get to get to see all the see all the software. The path software. The path from “I want this” to a from “I want this” to a from “I want this” to a description that fits the description that fits the description that fits the technical system is technical system is one of the most difficult one of the most difficult one of the most difficult things in development. things in development. things in development. If you make a mistake, If you make a mistake, If you make a mistake, you can spend a lot of you can spend a lot of you can spend a lot of time creating time creating time creating something very something very something very elegant that doesn't elegant that doesn't elegant that doesn't solve your solve your solve your problem. An agent can problem. An agent can problem. An agent can help identify these help identify these help identify these requirements by examining in detail requirements by examining in detail requirements by examining in detail how an existing how an existing how an existing application application application handles a handles a handles a similar problem. similar problem. similar problem. Now let's go back, as Now let's go back, as Now let's go back, as I promised, to the I promised, to the I promised, to the QuickBooks example, QuickBooks example, QuickBooks example, since this is since this is since this is no longer just happening no longer just happening no longer just happening in educational in educational in educational demos. One demos. One demos. One community developer community developer community developer released a project released a project released a project called Ledger Reborn ( called Ledger Reborn ( great name!), great name!), great name!), exploring QuickBooks Desktop exploring QuickBooks Desktop exploring QuickBooks Desktop for Mac using REA.

for Mac using REA. The report describes work The report describes work on on on inventory calculations, inventory calculations, inventory calculations, budget signs, budget signs, budget signs, balance sheet reconciliations, and branches balance sheet reconciliations, and branches balance sheet reconciliations, and branches related to related to related to cash cash cash method reporting. They then method reporting. They then method reporting. They then independently independently independently implemented an implemented an implemented an application that application that application that does all of this does all of this does all of this using Python using Python using Python and SQLite. The developers and SQLite. The developers and SQLite. The developers have released a have released a have released a preview: preview: preview: it stores invoices, it stores invoices, it stores invoices, records payments in a records payments in a records payments in a local local local inventory ledger, and calculates inventory ledger, and calculates inventory ledger, and calculates reports. All of this, right? reports. All of this, right? reports. All of this, right? Essentially, REA provided Essentially, REA provided Essentially, REA provided proofs and pseudocode proofs and pseudocode proofs and pseudocode to show how everything to show how everything to show how everything worked, and then they worked, and then they worked, and then they made an independent made an independent made an independent implementation to implementation to implementation to emulate the patterns emulate the patterns that interested them. that interested them. So, what fascinates me here is the So, what fascinates me here is the type of type of type of questions they questions they questions they explored. If you explored. If you explored. If you only copy the only copy the only copy the accounting screen accounting screen , you can , you can , you can reproduce where reproduce where reproduce where the number appears, the number appears, the number appears, but you won't understand how but you won't understand how but you won't understand how it was obtained. it was obtained. it was obtained. So, in this case, So, in this case, So, in this case, the research the research the research was about was about was about calculations, calculations, calculations, the behavior of registers, and that's where the the behavior of registers, and that's where the point of software really lies. And this is the software really lies. And this is the part you have to part you have to part you have to understand understand understand if you want to create a if you want to create a if you want to create a working version.

working version. working version. Think about a Think about a Think about a simple task like simple task like simple task like registering a payment. registering a payment. registering a payment. Does the payment cover the Does the payment cover the Does the payment cover the entire bill? Can entire bill? Can entire bill? Can one payment cover one payment cover one payment cover multiple bills? What multiple bills? What multiple bills? What remains remains remains unpaid? What should the unpaid? What should the unpaid? What should the report show? All report show? All report show? All these decisions are these decisions are these decisions are interconnected. You interconnected. You interconnected. You need a need a need a data representation data representation data representation that supports this that supports this that supports this logic and validations logic and validations logic and validations that will show whether the that will show whether the that will show whether the result is correct result is correct . You can see why domain . You can see why domain . You can see why domain knowledge is so important here knowledge is so important here knowledge is so important here . . . Anyone who works Anyone who works Anyone who works with accounts every day may with accounts every day may with accounts every day may know which situations are know which situations are know which situations are typical and which typical and which typical and which mistakes create mistakes create mistakes create unnecessary work. REA gives unnecessary work. REA gives unnecessary work. REA gives this person another this person another this person another way to connect way to connect way to connect their knowledge to the their knowledge to the their knowledge to the technical solutions technical solutions technical solutions at the core. They can at the core. They can at the core. They can explore with explore with explore with the agent and ask the agent and ask the agent and ask questions until the questions until the questions until the proposed proposed proposed system takes into account system takes into account system takes into account real-world real-world real-world workflows. The workflows. The workflows. The original application original application original application may use a may use a may use a completely different stack completely different stack completely different stack than the one you chose. than the one you chose. than the one you chose. You don't necessarily You don't necessarily You don't necessarily need the entire need the entire need the entire architecture. architecture. architecture. You want to understand You want to understand You want to understand the behavior that is the behavior that is the behavior that is important to you, important to you, important to you, right? This is what right? This is what right? This is what we all strive for. We're not we all strive for. We're not necessarily trying necessarily trying to create clones. We to create clones. We to create clones. We try to create try to create try to create personal personal software that is software that is important to us, or important to us, or important to us, or software for a small software for a small software for a small audience. That's why audience. That's why audience. That's why the transition from the the transition from the desktop product under study desktop product under study to a standalone application to a standalone application to a standalone application in Python and SQLite is so in Python and SQLite is so in Python and SQLite is so interesting. The research interesting. The research interesting. The research is shaping a new set of is shaping a new set of is shaping a new set of engineering solutions. And engineering solutions. And engineering solutions. And you can do this you can do this you can do this useful work without useful work without useful work without setting a goal setting a goal setting a goal to replace your to replace your to replace your accounting accounting accounting product. Isn't that right? I product. Isn't that right? I product. Isn't that right? I keep repeating this keep repeating this keep repeating this because people make the mistake of because people make the mistake of because people make the mistake of thinking it's thinking it's thinking it's just copying.

just copying. just copying. Your product can Your product can Your product can only perform the only perform the only perform the one task one task one task you need in your you need in your you need in your business. And the opportunity business. And the opportunity business. And the opportunity here is here is here is to understand this to understand this to understand this specific task specific task specific task at a level where you can at a level where you can at a level where you can explain exactly what needs to explain exactly what needs to explain exactly what needs to happen. Choose an happen. Choose an happen. Choose an appropriate appropriate appropriate implementation with implementation with implementation with sound knowledge sound knowledge sound knowledge and determine if it and determine if it and determine if it works. You works. You works. You decide how much decide how much decide how much work you need to work you need to work you need to do. And now do. And now do. And now you have the technical you have the technical you have the technical tools to tools to tools to analyze analyze software and software and understand how to understand how to understand how to build it. For build it. For build it. For developers, we developers, we developers, we can go can go can go much deeper, much deeper, much deeper, right? You may already right? You may already right? You may already know know know data structures, frameworks, data structures, frameworks, data structures, frameworks, constraints. You constraints. You constraints. You look at the function and look at the function and look at the function and think: how exactly did they think: how exactly did they think: how exactly did they achieve this achieve this achieve this behavior? Give me the behavior? Give me the behavior? Give me the appropriate mechanisms appropriate mechanisms and I can start and I can start and I can start working. Isn't that right? working. Isn't that right? working. Isn't that right? So, I think the So, I think the So, I think the REA example with the REA example with the REA example with the dinosaur game is a great dinosaur game is a great dinosaur game is a great demonstration of this. demonstration of this. demonstration of this. They explored the They explored the They explored the browser version of the browser version of the browser version of the dinosaur game with Chromium dinosaur game with Chromium dinosaur game with Chromium and got the JavaScript and got the JavaScript and got the JavaScript that actually that actually that actually loads loads loads the page. The question the page. The question the page. The question was why was why was why the game was constantly the game was constantly the game was constantly speeding up. The code speeding up. The code speeding up. The code starts with a starts with a starts with a velocity value of velocity value of velocity value of six and adds a six and adds a six and adds a thousandth on thousandth on thousandth on each update each update each update without collisions until without collisions until without collisions until the velocity is below 13. the velocity is below 13. the velocity is below 13. This gives you a great This gives you a great This gives you a great rule of thumb to work with and rule of thumb to work with and rule of thumb to work with and explains the feel of the explains the feel of the explains the feel of the game. The project game. The project game. The project uses this in a uses this in a uses this in a small new game with small new game with small new game with speed control, speed control, speed control, and you can just and you can just and you can just implement it right away.

implement it right away. implement it right away. You can save the You can save the You can save the restored restored restored acceleration. You acceleration. You acceleration. You can speed can speed can speed it up even more to it up even more to it up even more to make the game more make the game more make the game more challenging. But challenging. But challenging. But regardless, the regardless, the regardless, the project comparison project comparison project comparison actually actually actually delves into the delves into the delves into the behavior below the screenshot behavior below the screenshot behavior below the screenshot . . . the behavior you the behavior you the behavior you need for need for need for interactivity at the interactivity at the interactivity at the code level so you code level so you code level so you can can can use it use it use it for yourself if for yourself if for yourself if you're building your own game, you're building your own game, you're building your own game, allowing you to make allowing you to make allowing you to make much more precise much more precise much more precise changes. Maybe you changes. Maybe you changes. Maybe you want a softer want a softer want a softer boost, maybe boost, maybe boost, maybe not, but you not, but you not, but you decide for yourself because you decide for yourself because you decide for yourself because you looked under the hood. looked under the hood. looked under the hood. The last question here The last question here The last question here concerns concerns concerns engineering work. engineering work. engineering work. In reality, engineering is In reality, engineering is In reality, engineering is becoming less becoming less becoming less about whether I understand the about whether I understand the about whether I understand the system and more system and more system and more about how I want about how I want about how I want to configure it. Rea to configure it. Rea to configure it. Rea just speeds it up. just speeds it up. just speeds it up. The agent can help The agent can help The agent can help track these track these track these dependencies, explain dependencies, explain dependencies, explain the rules, implement the rules, implement the rules, implement your chosen version, and the your chosen version, and the your chosen version, and the research is now research is now research is now significantly accelerated significantly accelerated , but you still , but you still , but you still have to decide what have to decide what have to decide what exactly you want to build. A exactly you want to build. A native code version of this is in the REA case study on DX REA case study on DX Ball. They tracked Ball. They tracked Ball. They tracked how the horizontal how the horizontal how the horizontal position of the brick position of the brick position of the brick translates into the translates into the left- right panning value of the sound within the right panning value of the sound within the right panning value of the sound within the compiled game. The compiled game. The compiled game. The initial initial initial decompiler output was decompiler output was decompiler output was incomplete. So incomplete. So incomplete. So the investigation the investigation the investigation traced traced traced the instructions, challenges, the instructions, challenges, the instructions, challenges, and constraints, and the and constraints, and the and constraints, and the published published published reconstruction reconstruction reconstruction revealed a restored revealed a restored revealed a restored function that actually function that actually function that actually works with the original. This is a works with the original. This is a works with the original. This is a very very very specific question.

specific question. specific question. You don't need to You don't need to You don't need to reconstruct the entire reconstruct the entire reconstruct the entire game to learn how game to learn how game to learn how this connection works. this connection works. this connection works. But if a developer But if a developer But if a developer can take Rea and get can take Rea and get can take Rea and get to that level of to that level of to that level of detail, then you detail, then you detail, then you can ask for can ask for can ask for anything. A anything. A anything. A non-developer non-developer non-developer can ask a can ask a can ask a much simpler much simpler much simpler question and get a question and get a question and get a great explanation. And great explanation. And great explanation. And one of the things one of the things one of the things I would think about if you're I would think about if you're I would think about if you're using this using this using this tool is tool is tool is how deep you're how deep you're how deep you're asking it to asking it to asking it to go. If you go. If you go. If you ask for a full ask for a full ask for a full explanation of the program, explanation of the program, explanation of the program, you will get a you will get a you will get a huge amount of huge amount of huge amount of material that will not material that will not material that will not help you help you help you make your next make your next make your next decision. Give the agent a decision. Give the agent a decision. Give the agent a reason to reason to reason to investigate. I investigate. I investigate. I like this like this like this behavior. I just behavior. I just behavior. I just want to understand the want to understand the want to understand the result. result. result. Help me Help me Help me trace the trace the trace the relevant part. relevant part. relevant part. My plea to you: My plea to you: My plea to you: if you if you if you use REA, you use REA, you use REA, you already get the point. already get the point. already get the point. Tell him Tell him Tell him how deep to how deep to how deep to go. tell your go. tell your go. tell your microscope what to microscope what to microscope what to focus on. So for someone who focus on. So for someone who focus on. So for someone who is not a is not a is not a developer, I would developer, I would developer, I would start by describing the work I start by describing the work I start by describing the work I want want want my my software to support, and software to support, and then ask the then ask the then ask the agent agent agent to identify to identify to identify familiar components and familiar components and familiar components and explore them for me explore them for me . And you can . And you can . And you can continue to continue to continue to explore and explore and explore and understand these terms. understand these terms. understand these terms. You can even You can even You can even ask him ask him ask him to create charts for you to create charts for you to create charts for you . As . As . As a developer, you can a developer, you can a developer, you can describe the situation more precisely, describe the situation more precisely, taking into account your taking into account your limitations. So, limitations. So, limitations. So, find this implementation, find this implementation, find this implementation, help me help me help me understand these understand these understand these dependencies, this is where dependencies, this is where dependencies, this is where I'm stuck, I'm stuck, I'm stuck, help me find help me find help me find examples, and then examples, and then examples, and then help me implement.

help me implement. help me implement. And it can be a very And it can be a very And it can be a very short and clear short and clear short and clear study if study if study if the question is narrow. the question is narrow. the question is narrow. In general, don't In general, don't In general, don't spend your spend your spend your tokens unless you tokens unless you tokens unless you need to. This is my need to. This is my need to. This is my advice, which is always advice, which is always advice, which is always relevant. To relevant. To relevant. To get started, simply get started, simply get started, simply connect to a connect to a programming agent like programming agent like Clottex, which I Clottex, which I Clottex, which I mentioned earlier. And you should mentioned earlier. And you should mentioned earlier. And you should know that there are some know that there are some know that there are some official official official settings here. It settings here. It settings here. It will use will use will use node.js and npm, and different node.js and npm, and different node.js and npm, and different goals require goals require goals require different different different validation tools. So during validation tools. So during validation tools. So during installation, you installation, you installation, you will be asked will be asked will be asked questions like: do questions like: do questions like: do you want to add this? you want to add this? you want to add this? Listen, this is Listen, this is Listen, this is going to sound silly going to sound silly , but ask your , but ask your , but ask your AI if this AI if this AI if this addition will help with your addition will help with your addition will help with your project. Sometimes it's project. Sometimes it's project. Sometimes it's necessary, sometimes it's not. necessary, sometimes it's not. necessary, sometimes it's not. Node.js—it's not scary Node.js—it's not scary Node.js—it's not scary if you need to if you need to if you need to install it. And install it. And install it. And remember: when you remember: when you remember: when you dig deeper, you won't dig deeper, you won't dig deeper, you won't see the server see the server see the server code. This only shows you the code. This only shows you the code. This only shows you the client code. client code. client code. There are cases where There are cases where There are cases where a company has its own a company has its own a company has its own closed backend closed backend closed backend code that is never code that is never code that is never disclosed. You disclosed. You disclosed. You can guess what can guess what can guess what some of this some of this some of this code does by analyzing code does by analyzing code does by analyzing interactions in the app, interactions in the app, interactions in the app, but you won't but you won't but you won't see it. And you see it. And you see it. And you shouldn't try, because shouldn't try, because shouldn't try, because that would be a break. Don't that would be a break. Don't that would be a break. Don't do this. And as a do this. And as a do this. And as a learning learning learning tool, if you tool, if you tool, if you start start start installing it and installing it and installing it and using it, as using it, as using it, as Nate says. Here's the first thing Nate says. Here's the first thing Nate says. Here's the first thing I would do.

I would do. I would do. Make sure you Make sure you Make sure you use it use it use it for learning. This is an for learning. This is an for learning. This is an extremely powerful extremely powerful learning tool. Even learning tool. Even as an engineer, you as an engineer, you as an engineer, you can "talk" to can "talk" to can "talk" to the application, understand the application, understand the application, understand how it works, and then how it works, and then how it works, and then try to explain try to explain try to explain it in your own words. it in your own words. it in your own words. This is how This is how This is how most of the most of the most of the learning process happens. learning process happens. learning process happens. We now have a We now have a We now have a tireless teacher tireless teacher tireless teacher who understands who understands software on the software on the internet and can internet and can internet and can reach technical reach technical reach technical depth that depth that depth that was previously less accessible. was previously less accessible. was previously less accessible. We can really We can really We can really dig deep and dig deep and dig deep and learn. And I think that's how learn. And I think that's how learn. And I think that's how it's starting to it's starting to it's starting to change our change our change our relationship with relationship with software. We software. We can look at can look at can look at something familiar, something familiar, something familiar, realize there's a realize there's a realize there's a question we've question we've question we've always wanted to always wanted to always wanted to explore, and just explore, and just explore, and just do it. And if you do it. And if you do it. And if you ask: couldn't Codeex have ask: couldn't Codeex have ask: couldn't Codeex have done this done this done this before? Couldn't Claw have before? Couldn't Claw have before? Couldn't Claw have done this before? done this before? done this before? they could if you they could if you they could if you gave them the right gave them the right gave them the right hints and were hints and were hints and were patient. But REA gives patient. But REA gives patient. But REA gives us all this right away, "out of us all this right away, "out of us all this right away, "out of the box." And it's very the box." And it's very the box." And it's very simple. For simple. For simple. For non-programmers, for non-programmers, for non-programmers, for all of us who are not all of us who are not all of us who are not technical technical technical developers, this is a path developers, this is a path developers, this is a path to understanding programs to understanding programs to understanding programs that we didn't have before that we didn't have before that we didn't have before . It's unlikely we would be . It's unlikely we would be . It's unlikely we would be able to handle able to handle able to handle those tricky those tricky those tricky requests. We requests. We requests. We can really dig deep, can really dig deep, can really dig deep, understand everything, and understand everything, and understand everything, and get an get an get an X-ray vision X-ray vision X-ray vision that we've never had that we've never had that we've never had for for for software. The software. The software. The applications you applications you applications you already use already use already use have a wealth of have a wealth of have a wealth of experience in solving experience in solving experience in solving human problems.

human problems. human problems. Whether Whether Whether you're a developer or not, you're a developer or not, you're a developer or not, you now have another you now have another you now have another way to explore this way to explore this way to explore this with an agent with an agent with an agent that will explain what you're that will explain what you're that will explain what you're seeing. So choose what seeing. So choose what seeing. So choose what interests you. interests you. interests you. Start digging and Start digging and Start digging and figuring it out. You figuring it out. You figuring it out. You may find that you may find that you may find that you are able to ask and are able to ask and are able to ask and answer answer answer much more interesting much more interesting much more interesting questions than you thought. questions than you thought. questions than you thought. If you're a If you're a software fan, REA is a software fan, REA is a great day. You great day. You great day. You may be asking: may be asking: may be asking: How do I get started How do I get started How do I get started with REA? Nate just gave with REA? Nate just gave with REA? Nate just gave us the us the us the installation instructions, and I'll installation instructions, and I'll installation instructions, and I'll prepare a post on Substack prepare a post on Substack that will give you that will give you that will give you touchpoints— touchpoints— specific places where specific places where specific places where you can start you can start you can start using REA. using REA. using REA. So, if you're thinking, So, if you're thinking, So, if you're thinking, "I have this "I have this "I have this tool, but I don't tool, but I don't tool, but I don't know where to know where to know where to apply it." We apply it." We apply it." We will help you will help you will help you find a way to find a way to find a way to use it. use it. use it. Join us. Join us. Join us. The community is actively The community is actively The community is actively working. See you later.