New technologies often change our tools before they change the way we work. Large language models can now produce convincing mathematical code very rapidly through mathematical "vibe coding" (prompting AI and then accepting code if it seems to work). But when this code is intended for use in a publication or inclusion in a database, the stakes are higher: errors in the code become errors in the mathematical literature. Is the alternative to "vibe coding" reading the code line-by-line? I will talk about how we can build software development workflows for the AI age. Starting from the basics of version control and Git, and assuming no prior experience, I will discuss iterative AI-assisted development, subagents, code review, testing, and continuous integration. The talk will be aimed at mathematicians interested in developing large-scale mathematical software and databases without giving up oversight and trust.
AI-Assisted Coding for Mathematicians: How to Build Software Without Vibe Coding