Linus Torvalds Turns to Claude Code for Linux Kernel Work

Linus Torvalds, the creator and long-time steward of the Linux kernel, has never hidden his pragmatic view of artificial intelligence: he has repeatedly described it as a useful tool. Now it turns out that the tool has made its way into his own workflow as well.

Torvalds has previously relied on AI to help with kernel debugging. Outside the kernel tree, he has also tried his hand at "vibe coding" — working on code alongside an AI assistant — using Google's Antigravity.

According to Phoronix, Torvalds is now using Claude Code to work on new features for the Linux kernel. This is reportedly not a matter of minor tweaks but a substantial improvement, meaning the AI is being brought into the meaningful part of development rather than just bug hunting.

For a project that has for decades been associated with painstaking manual work and strict standards for code quality, this is a telling step. Torvalds's attitude toward AI remains level-headed: he sees it as an aid, not a replacement for the developer. But the very fact that such tools are finding use in kernel work at the highest level suggests that AI assistants are gradually becoming part of everyday practice even among the most demanding engineers.

Source: Phoronix