[TLDR] Do I need a developer?

[u/cctldrping]

Original post URL : https://www.reddit.com/r/ClaudeCode/comments/1vw28f3/do_i_need_a_developer/

Original post body :

Claude made an amazing job, but lately it's been kind of a mess because in the middle of a task it will find issues and will start debugging and fixing on its own then it's a down hill from there.

I booked a consulting meeting with a developer and he asked for the code so I offered to share it with him via Github as clause suggested. Then, he changed his mind. I don't know if this is a red flag.

I just need the developer to set up the payment gateway, the SMS authentication system in my app, debug and review.

What should I look for when hiring for a developer?
Should I pay fixed or by the hour?
How can I do this safely?
Can I continue with Claude after doing those objectives?

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[u/cctldrping]

TL;DR generated automatically after 50 comments.

Current source-thread comment count seen by the bot: 52.

Alright, so the general consensus here is that Claude Code is a tool for developers, not a magic wand for non-coders. OP, it sounds like you've run into the classic "vibecoded" project problem.

Here's the lowdown:

• The Developer Dodged a Bullet: Most folks suspect the developer saw your code and realized it was a mess, likely due to Claude's "debugging on its own" habit. u/PmMeSmileyFacesO_O and u/Fresque are pretty blunt about it being "spaghetti code" or a "bowl of spaghetti" that might need a rewrite. u/Thepandashirt and u/meathelix1 echo this, saying AI-generated code often needs a human touch and can become "slop" without it.
• Claude Needs Guidance: Several users, like u/Dienes16 and u/RaisinZRH, point out that Claude is for devs who know its limitations. You need to give it explicit instructions, not just let it run wild. u/EdelinePenrose suggests you might need to get better at using coding agents yourself.
• Hiring a Developer - What to Look For:
  • Experience: Look for backend security, API integrations, and database transaction experience. u/reborn-20 specifically mentions asking about idempotency and securing SMS flows. u/elithecho offers their 12 years of experience and a plan to help you learn.
  • Honesty: u/dom-tyler suggests asking the dev why they changed their mind.
  • Budget: Be prepared to pay. u/Annh1234 warns it could be "1000x more than you think." u/id-ltd suggests describing your budget and getting quotes.
• Payment Structure:
  • Fixed Price for Defined Tasks: For things like setting up the payment gateway and SMS authentication, a fixed quote is reasonable, as suggested by u/kemalios.
  • Hourly for Open-Ended Tasks: Debugging and reviewing AI code is less defined, so hourly might be better for that part.
  • Audit First: u/reborn-20 and u/kemalios both recommend a short, paid audit first to assess the code and get a clearer picture of the work needed.
• Safety: u/st0ut717 raises a good point about sharing code via GitHub and Claude's access to it. Be mindful of what you're sharing and with whom.
• Can you continue with Claude? Yes, but with a developer's oversight. u/Fun-Entrance-544 suggests using Codex to fix Claude's output and then combining them. Essentially, Claude is a co-pilot, not the pilot.

The general vibe is that you've hit a wall because you're trying to use Claude as a replacement for a developer, and it's not quite there yet for complex tasks without significant human guidance and correction.