Good Product Managers are the new AppDevs
Let’s be honest. Traditional application developers are brilliant, focused, and way better at logic than most of us. But they’re not exactly known for seeing the bigger picture—or for their warm, fuzzy communication skills.
Product Managers, on the other hand (speaking as one), are vision-driven. We’re skilled at pulling the real story out of users—the stuff they *meant* to say but couldn’t articulate. We can see what’s possible. But we usually can’t code our way out of a paper bag.
That’s why AI coding tools like Replit are a game changer for people like me.
Finally, a way to build without begging for it
Instead of spending hours (or days) writing detailed specs and user stories, I can just tell Replit’s agent what I want—even if it’s vague. And it builds it. Often better than I originally imagined.
It gives me a few solid options. I pick the one that makes sense. A couple minutes later, I’m testing it. Making adjustments. Re-testing. It’s exactly the kind of rapid iteration I always hoped for from engineers…but with zero drama.
Here’s the kicker:
- The agent gives constructive feedback.
- It documents every change as it goes.
- It writes simple usage instructions I can send to users.
- I can give it issues screen by screen, and it just keeps working without needing me to stay in a single flow.
- I can change my mind a dozen times—and it doesn’t sigh, roll its eyes, or threaten to quit.
A side-by-side comparison
Jim: I don’t see the theme generator link in the sidebar.
Typical Coder: DID YOU LOOK?!?!?! AND ARE YOU LOOKING IN DEV???
Replit Agent: I apologize for the issue. It seems there might be a problem with the sidebar navigation. Let’s check if the sidebar is being displayed correctly and troubleshoot the theme generator link problem.
- Restarted: Start application
- Updated the ThemeSelector component to match server-side themes
- Confirmed that the theme-generator page is registered in routes
- Suggested a direct visit to
/theme-generatorto confirm navigation
That’s what I’m talking about. The agent understands what I meant—even when I didn’t say it well. It takes action without asking permission every step of the way. No pushback. No laziness. No attitude.
Final thought
If you’re a Product Manager who’s always had a strong vision and zero coding ability, AI coding tools are the assist you’ve been waiting for. Tools like Replit are turning visionaries into builders.
And I’m here for it.