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Yoko Li (a16z) says the first agent loops that worked well were coding loops…

2026-08-06 · 21:30 UTC ·@a16z ·1 min read

Brief

Yoko Li (a16z) argues that coding loops were the first agent loops to converge because code is editable and executable—agents can modify a function, run tests, read failures, and iterate. She frames loop success on two axes, editability and verifiability, placing code upper-right and open-ended image generation bottom-left (2026-08-06).

Why it matters

Yoko Li (a16z) says the first agent loops that worked well were coding loops because code is both editable and executable; an agent can change one function, run the program, read the test failure, and try again.

Key details

  • Agent loops sit on two axes—editability and verifiability—and code often sits in the upper-right (easy to edit plus relatively strong verifiers).
  • Open-ended image generation often sits in the bottom-left: the system can generate another image but cannot easily repair one specific decision or verify that the result is closer to the user's intent (Knowing When to Stop, a16z, 2026-08-06; a16z.news/p/knowing-when-to-…).
Cleaned source text

a16z's Yoko Li on agent loops and what it takes for them to work:

"The first loops that worked well were coding loops. This is not an accident. Code is both editable and executable. An agent can change one function, run the program, read the test failure, and try again."

Loops sit on two axes: how editable the artifact is, and how verifiable the result is.

"Code often sits in the upper-right corner. It is easy to edit, and it has relatively strong verifiers."

"Open-ended image generation often sits in the bottom-left. The system can generate another image, but it cannot easily repair one specific decision or verify that the result is closer to the user's intent."

Full piece on getting agent loops to converge: a16z.news/p/knowing-when-to-…

Yoko (@stuffyokodraws)

Article

Knowing When to Stop: The Art of Making a Loop Converge

How can an AI model know when its work is done?

Well, how does a human know when our work is done.

A programmer waits for the tests to turn green or waits for PR review from their team. A designer

— https://nitter.net/stuffyokodraws/status/2085392969558089980#m