We all want to move fast, right? Ship features quickly. Keep up with deadlines. Use every tool that helps us speed things up.
That’s why AI writing code feels like a dream come true. Suddenly, the hard work of typing, fixing, and patching seems like it could get done in a snap.
But here’s the thing: there’s a new problem many will realize soon. It’s not the usual messy code or quick-and-dirty hacks we’re used to. It’s something different - code that’s too perfect, too locked down, and it actually makes future changes harder.
I call this problem Speclock.
Why Are We Here? The AI and Specs Balance
To get AI to write code that works, we have to be very clear. We have to give it tight, detailed instructions, what programmers call “specifications” or “specs.”
Why? Because if the specs aren’t clear, AI can hallucinate. It’ll make stuff up and pretend it knows what we mean … then the code looks right but breaks your app in weird ways.
So we give AI very detailed specs, sometimes covering every possible “what if” we can think of. We try to future-proof the code so it’s ready for anything.
That sounds smart, and it is … but it comes with a catch.
Moving Fast Now, Slowing Down Later
When we ask AI to cover every edge case and build everything perfectly upfront, it can speed up initial delivery. Devs utilizing AI can build features quickly and tests pass.
But this perfection can build invisible walls around your code.
What does that mean?
It means the moment you want to change even a small part, it’s a huge job. The code is tightly wound with details and checks, designed for the many “what if” scenarios that might never happen, might be unnecessary or could change in the future.
Changing one thing can affect many others. Developers get nervous about breaking stuff. Progress slows, sometimes more than before AI was involved.
In short: “fast” now can lock you down later.
So, What Exactly Is Speclock?
Speclock is a word I use for this hidden trap:
It’s when AI-generated code tries to handle every possible edge case, writes over-engineered code and tries to future proof right away.
The code looks clean. It runs well. But underneath, it’s so over-specified that it becomes hard to touch or improve.
Even small fixes feel like big risks.
How Is Speclock Different From Normal Tech Debt?
Traditional technical debt is what we get when we cut corners to move fast - messy, buggy, and in need of cleanup.
Speclock is different.
It’s code that looks perfect and polished on the surface. But inside, it’s like a locked box.
You moved fast and built something that seems solid, but it’s so tightly built you can’t easily make changes without breaking things.
Why Does AI Create Speclock?
AI doesn’t know your product plans or deadlines. It only knows patterns and examples it learned from.
So, when AI builds code, it tries to:
- Cover every edge case it has seen before
- Build lots of abstractions to be “safe”
- Pack features to “future-proof” the system
This can create complexity that chokes your team’s ability to adapt.
How Can You Spot Speclock?
Here are a few signs:
- The code looks great, but making changes feels slow and difficult
- Code reviews take longer because many parts depend on each other
- Refactoring feels risky, like defusing a bomb
- Your team hesitates to change the code, even with AI helping
If you hear, “We can’t touch that,” or “It’s too risky to change,” you might be dealing with Speclock.
How To Avoid Getting Stuck With Speclock
- Use AI to help with small, focused parts of the code, don’t let it write whole systems.
- Favor simple, clear code over clever or complex solutions.
- Design assuming things will change, because they will … keep the first version easy to update.
- Ship what you need now, not what you think you might need later.
Final Thoughts
Moving fast is great. But moving smart is better.
The teams that learn to balance AI’s speed with thoughtful design will avoid Speclock. They’ll build codebases that can change and grow, not ones that trap them.
If you want to skip the Speclock trap and build better with AI, I’d love to talk.
Because in this new AI-powered world, the real skill isn’t just coding and shipping fast - it’s knowing when to slow down and do it right.
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Kastana Team
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