I shipped skillcraft.ai !!!
Skillcraft helps you find the best learning resources tailored to your goals. Get a personalized roadmap with the best courses, books, and tutorials. Try it out, for free!
Up to date
Published
2 min read

Trevor I. Lasn

Building tools for developers. Currently building skillcraft.ai and blamesteve.lol

Code Wins Arguments

How Meta and other companies use the 'code wins arguments' mindset to turn ideas into reality

From Facebook’s S1 filing: “Rather than spending days debating whether a new idea is feasible or the best way to build it, engineers prefer to just prototype and see what works.”

Prototyping to Prove the Point

Meta’s development of its text feed feature is a great example. Before official approval, engineers had already built prototypes. Why? Because when there’s a working prototype, it’s hard to argue against its feasibility. Instead of getting bogged down in discussions, they demonstrated what was possible by building it.

This approach is common across many tech companies. Prototyping shifts the conversation from abstract ideas to concrete results. Code moves the debate forward and turns theory into progress.

A Tool, Not a Black Box

Prototyping isn’t about hiding away and coding in isolation. It’s a way to bring ideas to life and get feedback. Once you have something tangible, share it. You’re not building the final product in secret; you’re showing that the concept works.

At Stripe, engineers build prototypes even before full approval. It’s easier to demonstrate that something works than to convince others with words alone.

Google takes a similar approach. Design documents guide big projects, but a working demo speaks louder than any well-written plan.

If you’ve got an idea, build it. Don’t wait for endless meetings or approval. A working prototype not only proves your point but shows your commitment to solving the problem. It’s the fastest way to turn ideas into action and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth. Just remember, it’s a starting point—not the final product.


Found this article helpful? You might enjoy my free newsletter. I share dev tips and insights to help you grow your coding skills and advance your tech career.


Check out these related articles that might be useful for you. They cover similar topics and provide additional insights.

Reflections
5 min read

Outdated Docs Are Tech Debt

Teams often neglect to create good documentation. Code gets delivered, but updating the docs is treated as a secondary task, easily postponed—until it’s too late.

Sep 22, 2024
Read article
Reflections
2 min read

Don't bullshit

Be the authentic voice in a world of manufactured personas

Feb 12, 2025
Read article
Reflections
6 min read

The Monday Morning Test to Measure Engineering Team Health

Why the first day back can reveal everything about your engineering team's health

Nov 4, 2024
Read article
Reflections
3 min read

The 5:1 Rule: Effective Performance Reviews For High-Performing Teams

Research reveals the ideal ratio of positive to negative feedback within high performing teams

Mar 20, 2025
Read article
Reflections
4 min read

Small Habits, Big Impact

We're often focused on big innovations and breakthrough moments. But what if the real key to long-term success lies in the small, everyday actions we often overlook?

Oct 12, 2024
Read article
Reflections
5 min read

A Company Is Not a Family. It's a Sports Team

'We're not just a company, we're a family!' It's a nice sentiment, sure. But it's also a load of crap.

Oct 5, 2024
Read article
Reflections
5 min read

You Can Choose to Be Someone Who's Competent in Many Things, or Unbelievably Good at One Thing

Should you diversify your skills or specialize?

Sep 26, 2024
Read article
Reflections
4 min read

How to Launch Software Projects On Time and On Budget

Learn the art of scope management to keep your projects fixed in time and cost

Oct 7, 2024
Read article
Reflections
4 min read

A Great Product Doesn't Need Marketing

Great products speak for themselves, without the need for massive marketing campaigns

Sep 18, 2024
Read article

This article was originally published on https://www.trevorlasn.com/blog/code-wins-arguments. It was written by a human and polished using grammar tools for clarity.