Post Opus 4.5, this pundit who does not write software has concluded that the case for coding agents has gotten weaker, not stronger, to the point where we might as well declare the debate settled in his favor. It takes him 8,000 words to do so.
"You're not allowed to tell me that the fledgling technology that has been getting steadily better for the past 3 years is likely to continue getting better." ...and there's my cue to close the window.