Claude isn't a compiler — it's a guesser

The piece from exe.dev argues that Claude works more like a probabilistic model than a deterministic compiler. Instead of following strict rules, it samples from a distribution over possible outputs. The difference matters when you're deciding whether to trust it for a task.

A compiler either produces the right answer or crashes — you know which is which. Claude can produce a confident-looking answer that's wrong, and you won't know until you check. That's why the author says it's a "guesser": you have to validate its work, not just run it.

Why this matters for us: if we're building tools for la comunidad — la migra app, the auntie's side business — we can't treat Claude like a deterministic engine. We need to build in the checks and balances that catch its guesses before they hit someone's inbox.