$75M founder reveals his Agentic Engineering setup

Alex Lieberman and Dan Zakon discuss the paradigm shift occurring in software development and business management due to the rise of AI agents. The conversation centers on Tenex’s internal methodology, which prioritizes the use of AI agents for high-agency work. A key focus is the concept of 'context as code'—the idea that clear, structured documentation (markdown files) is more valuable to AI agents than raw source code, as it provides the necessary guidance for agents to function effectively within an organization.

The pair outlines how companies can become AI-native by embedding agents into every step of the value chain, from strategy and project management to execution. They argue that traditional, slow-moving corporate structures must adapt to this new model to survive. They also delve into the 'content machine'—a system for generating high-quality content—and discuss how to maintain quality and human oversight (the 'origin' of content) while leveraging AI for speed and efficiency.

Throughout the interview, they highlight the changing role of engineers, suggesting that the ability to architect AI systems and manage context is becoming more critical than traditional coding skills. The discussion concludes with reflections on the future of work, where AI agents act as force multipliers, allowing smaller teams to achieve outcomes previously reserved for large, resource-heavy organizations.