Claude Code creator says these are the 3 principles he shares with every member of his team

Business Insider

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Boris Cherny, Head of Claude at Anthropic, has outlined three key principles that guide his team's approach to leveraging AI tools like Claude. These principles emphasize efficiency, collaboration, and speed, all while fostering innovation within the company. Cherny highlights the importance of relying on AI to automate tasks and streamline workflows, which not only reduces costs but also accelerates the development process. One of Cherny's core strategies is "underfunding things a little bit," a tactic that ensures teams remain lean and reliant on AI tools like Claude. By keeping projects minimally funded, Cherny explains, employees are incentivized to optimize their processes using AI, which can lead to more innovative solutions. This approach also helps manage costs early in the development cycle, preventing overspending on resource-heavy projects. Cherny's focus on speed is another critical principle. He emphasizes the importance of rapid iteration and deployment, as seen in Anthropic's ability to release updates quickly and compete with rivals like OpenAI. By encouraging teams to move fast, Anthropic can experiment more effectively and adapt to market demands swiftly. This strategy has been instrumental in launching products like Claude Cowork within just 10 days. The financial implications of AI usage are also a key consideration for Cherny. While underfunding helps control costs initially, the long-term benefits of leveraging AI tools like Claude often outweigh the upfront expenses. However, Cherny advises against optimizing costs too early, as this could hinder creativity and innovation when projects are still in their experimental phase. Ultimately, Cherny's principles—underfunding, encouraging speed, and relying on AI—are designed to drive efficiency, foster innovation, and maintain a competitive edge. These strategies not only benefit Anthropic but also provide valuable insights for businesses looking to integrate AI tools into their operations. By prioritizing AI-driven automation and maintaining a focus on rapid development, companies can achieve greater productivity while staying ahead in the market.

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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/23/2026