Linus Torvalds, the Linux kernel maintainer, has opined that vibe coding is a viable starting point for individuals seeking to engage with computing, though he strongly advises against its use in production maintenance.
During an interview at the Linux Foundation Open Source Summit in Seoul, Torvalds expressed his positive stance towards vibe coding as a method that allows people to get computers to perform tasks that would otherwise be challenging. However, he cautioned that such an approach is a ‘horrible idea’ when it comes to the maintenance of production code. Torvalds remarked on the increased complexity of modern computing systems, which has made traditional coding methods less effective for beginners. He also noted the shift in his role from rejecting new ideas to occasionally advocating for them against resistance from entrenched maintainers.
Furthermore, he acknowledged the growing integration of Rust into the Linux kernel, highlighting its transition from an experimental phase to a more established part of the project. Additionally, Torvalds raised concerns about AI crawlers disrupting the kernel’s infrastructure by collecting data from kernel.org, with kernel maintainers facing an influx of bugs and security notices that are sometimes generated by individuals misusing AI.
The Linux kernel, a cornerstone of many operating systems, continues to evolve with input from a global community of developers. Torvalds’ comments underscore the ongoing tension between innovation and the need for robust, maintainable code in large-scale software projects.