Throw Away The Vibes: Context Engineering Is All You Need

We've all been there: GitHub Copilot promises to be your coding companion, but instead feels more like that overeager intern who confidently writes brilliant code for the wrong problem. As AI-assisted development tools become ubiquitous, the industry narrative promises revolutionary productivity gains. Yet many practitioners find themselves playing an exhausting game of context whack-a-mole—constantly explaining, re-explaining, and fixing what their AI "partner" confidently got wrong.

Having spent considerable time wrestling with this gap between AI promises and reality, I've discovered that the real challenge isn't prompt engineering—it's context engineering. This talk explores why "vibe coding" is fundamentally broken and introduces the systematic discipline that separates magical AI experiences from expensive disappointments. Through the constraint-context matrix and real examples like the Breadcrumb Protocol, I'll demonstrate why human expertise in scaffolding, steering, and domain understanding isn't just relevant—it's the secret ingredient that makes AI actually work. You'll leave with practical strategies for engineering context systematically and a framework for building sustainable human-AI collaboration that leverages both your skills and the machine's capabilities.

Transcript

1. Throw Away The Vibes: Context Engineering Is All You Need 2nd Sep 2025 Dasith Wijesiriwardena @dasiths Melb .NET Meetup
2. I am here because I have a love hate relationship with distributed systems. HELLO! I AM Dasith @dasiths dasith.me
3. Context Engineering The Vibe Coding Problem Agenda Lessons & Patterns Why AI Coding Fails @dasiths
4. @dasiths “ ..Our philosophy is don't fix the code. Fix the context.. https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/how-is-ai-different-than-other-technology-waves-with-bret-taylor-and-clay-bavor
5. So, What’s the Problem With Vibe Coding? @dasiths
6. Promise vs Reality @dasiths
7. @dasiths
8. @dasiths ▪ It doesn’t work, I don’t know why. ▪ It works but I don’t know why. ▪ It works with my prompt. Growing Pains
9. @dasiths ▪ It doesn’t work, I don’t know why. ▪ It works but I don’t know why. ▪ It works with my prompt. Growing Pains
10. @dasiths ▪ It doesn’t work, I don’t know why. ▪ It works but I don’t know why. ▪ It works worked with my prompt. Growing Pains
11. @dasiths ▪ It doesn’t work, I don’t know why. ▪ It works but I don’t know why. ▪ It works worked with my prompt. Growing Pains
12. Looking at @dasiths
13. Coding Agents @dasiths “Senior implementation skills with junior design judgment” - Someone, 2025
14. Coding Agents @dasiths “Senior implementation skills with junior design judgment” - Someone, 2025
15. @dasiths https://blog.thepete.net/blog/2025/05/22/why-your-ai-coding-assistant-keeps-doing-it-wrong-and-how-to-fix-it/
16. @dasiths https://blog.thepete.net/blog/2025/05/22/why-your-ai-coding-assistant-keeps-doing-it-wrong-and-how-to-fix-it/ Granular tasks
17. Reality Check @dasiths
18. @dasiths
19. • Poisoning • Distraction • Confusion •Clash How Long Context Fails @dasiths https://www.dbreunig.com/2025/06/26/how-to-fix-your-context.html
20. Give your model the… > Right Context At the… > Right Time Let’s Fix Context @dasiths
21. Give your model the… > Right Enough Context At the… > Right Time Let’s Fix Context @dasiths https://blog.langchain.com/multi-needle-in-a-haystack/
22. Context Engineering @dasiths Foundations of
23. Context Engineering involves creating systems that provide the correct information and tools, in the proper format, exactly when needed, so that a large language model (LLM) has everything required to complete a task. The What? @dasiths https://www.philschmid.de/context-engineering
24. Context Engineering involves creating systems that provide the correct information and tools, in the proper format, exactly when needed, so that a large language model (LLM) has everything required to complete a task. The What? @dasiths https://www.philschmid.de/context-engineering
25. Context Engineering involves creating systems that provide the correct information and tools, in the proper format, exactly when needed, so that a large language model (LLM) has everything required to complete a task. The What? @dasiths https://www.philschmid.de/context-engineering
26. Context Engineering involves creating systems that provide the correct information and tools, in the proper format, exactly when needed, so that a large language model (LLM) has everything required to complete a task. The What? @dasiths https://www.philschmid.de/context-engineering https://x.com/karpathy/status/1937902205765607626
27. vs Prompt Engineering @dasiths https://www.philschmid.de/context-engineering Aspect Prompt Engineering Context Engineering Core Definition Crafting the perfect set of instructions in a single text string Designing and building dynamic systems that provide the right information and tools, in the right format, at the right time Scope Single interaction optimization System-level design and architecture Approach Static template refinement Dynamic, adaptive system construction Focus "What to say" to the model "What context to provide" to the model Nature String-based System-based Timing Fixed at prompt creation Dynamic, created on-the-fly
28. 1. Write Context 2. Select Context 3. Compress Context 4. Isolate Context Core Tactics @dasiths https://rlancemartin.github.io/2025/06/23/context_engineering/ https://www.dbreunig.com/2025/06/26/how-to-fix-your-context.html
29. 1. Write Context 2. Select Context 3. Compress Context 4. Isolate Context @dasiths https://rlancemartin.github.io/2025/06/23/context_engineering/ https://www.dbreunig.com/2025/06/26/how-to-fix-your-context.html Core Tactics
30. 1. Write Context 2. Select Context 3. Compress Context 4. Isolate Context @dasiths https://rlancemartin.github.io/2025/06/23/context_engineering/ https://www.dbreunig.com/2025/06/26/how-to-fix-your-context.html Core Tactics
31. 1. Write Context 2. Select Context 3. Compress Context 4. Isolate Context @dasiths https://rlancemartin.github.io/2025/06/23/context_engineering/ https://www.dbreunig.com/2025/06/26/how-to-fix-your-context.html Core Tactics
32. 1. Write Context 2. Select Context 3. Compress Context 4. Isolate Context @dasiths https://rlancemartin.github.io/2025/06/23/context_engineering/ https://www.dbreunig.com/2025/06/26/how-to-fix-your-context.html Core Tactics
33. Lessons @dasiths Patterns
34. ▪ Optimize for KV Cache ▪ Prefer tool masking over removing ▪ File system as context ▪ Manipulate attention mechanism through recitation ▪ Error recovery as core capability ▪ Pattern mimicry problem @dasiths https://manus.im/blog/Context-Engineering-for-AI-Agents-Lessons-from-Building-Manus Lessons from Manus.im
35. ▪ Optimize for KV Cache ▪ Prefer tool masking over removing ▪ File system as context ▪ Manipulate attention mechanism through recitation ▪ Error recovery as core capability ▪ Pattern mimicry problem @dasiths https://manus.im/blog/Context-Engineering-for-AI-Agents-Lessons-from-Building-Manus Lessons from Manus.im
36. ▪ Optimize for KV Cache ▪ Prefer tool masking over removing ▪ File system as context ▪ Manipulate attention mechanism through recitation ▪ Error recovery as core capability ▪ Pattern mimicry problem @dasiths https://manus.im/blog/Context-Engineering-for-AI-Agents-Lessons-from-Building-Manus Lessons from Manus.im
37. ▪ Optimize for KV Cache ▪ Prefer tool masking over removing ▪ File system as context ▪ Manipulate attention mechanism through recitation ▪ Error recovery as core capability ▪ Pattern mimicry problem @dasiths https://manus.im/blog/Context-Engineering-for-AI-Agents-Lessons-from-Building-Manus Lessons from Manus.im
38. ▪ Optimize for KV Cache ▪ Prefer tool masking over removing ▪ File system as context ▪ Manipulate attention mechanism through recitation ▪ Error recovery as core capability ▪ Pattern mimicry problem @dasiths https://manus.im/blog/Context-Engineering-for-AI-Agents-Lessons-from-Building-Manus Lessons from Manus.im
39. ▪ Optimize for KV Cache ▪ Prefer tool masking over removing ▪ File system as context ▪ Manipulate attention mechanism through recitation ▪ Error recovery as core capability ▪ Pattern mimicry problem @dasiths https://manus.im/blog/Context-Engineering-for-AI-Agents-Lessons-from-Building-Manus Lessons from Manus.im
40. @dasiths
41. ▪ Inconsistent Implementation – “The overeager intern” ▪ Knowledge Silos – “When the why is missing” ▪ Progress Fragmentation – “Worked with my prompt” @dasiths https://dasith.me/2025/04/02/vibe-coding-breadcrumbs/ The Misalignment Problem
42. The cost of this misalignment grows as development continues. ▪ Code reviews become more difficult ▪ Onboarding new team members takes longer ▪ The AI becomes less effective as a collaborator over time. @dasiths https://dasith.me/2025/04/02/vibe-coding-breadcrumbs/ The Misalignment Problem
43. The solution lies in creating an external, persistent shared context that both humans and AI can access and update. It’s a structured workflow consisting of… - Structured Planning & Task Management - Centralized & Accessible Knowledge Context - Living Documentation & Shared Understanding @dasiths https://dasith.me/2025/04/02/vibe-coding-breadcrumbs/ Solution: Breadcrumb Protocol
44. https://github.com/dasiths/VibeCodingBreadcrumbDemo
45. https://github.com/dasiths/VibeCodingBreadcrumbDemo Instructions
46. https://github.com/dasiths/VibeCodingBreadcrumbDemo Convention Based Folder Structure
47. https://github.com/dasiths/VibeCodingBreadcrumbDemo Spec or PRD File
48. https://github.com/dasiths/VibeCodingBreadcrumbDemo Domain Knowledge
49. https://github.com/dasiths/VibeCodingBreadcrumbDemo Breadcrumbs
50. https://github.com/dasiths/VibeCodingBreadcrumbDemo Breadcrumb Example
51. @dasiths Solution: Breadcrumb Protocol
52. @dasiths https://blog.thepete.net/blog/2025/05/22/why-your-ai-coding-assistant-keeps-doing-it-wrong-and-how-to-fix-it/
53. @dasiths https://blog.thepete.net/blog/2025/05/22/why-your-ai-coding-assistant-keeps-doing-it-wrong-and-how-to-fix-it/
54. @dasiths Human
55. @dasiths “You’re going to see progress made. They’re going to get better. But I think that there’s an upper limit with the way that autoregressive transformers work that we just won’t get past.” - Microsoft Azure CTO Mark Russinovich Upper Limit?
56. @dasiths “As we take charge of bridging the gap, the machine claims the praise.” > We Often Overestimate Machines and Undervalue Ourselves Using large language models (LLMs) for programming requires many supporting skills. However, these skills are not clearly defined and depend a lot on the situation, so right now, the best way to improve is through lots of practice and learning from mistakes. https://ferd.ca/the-gap-through-which-we-praise-the-machine.html
57. ▪ Start with one context tactic and measure results ▪ Build systematic practices around context management ▪ Recognize context engineering as core technical skill @dasiths Practical Takeaways
58. ▪ Start with one context tactic and measure results ▪ Build systematic practices around context management ▪ Recognize context engineering as core technical skill @dasiths Practical Takeaways
59. Context engineering is a systematic discipline Skilled practitioners will define the future of AI-assisted development @dasiths
60. Title Description URL [1] Pete Hodgson's Constraint-Context Matrix Primary problem framework https://blog.thepete.net/blog/2025/05/22/why-your-ai-coding-assistant-keeps-doing-it-wrong-and-how- to-fix-it/ [2] Drew Breunig's "How to Fix Your Context" Six practical tactics for context management https://www.dbreunig.com/2025/06/26/how-to-fix-your-context.html [3] Lance Martin's Context Engineering Four-strategy foundation https://rlancemartin.github.io/2025/06/23/context_engineering/ [4] Philipp Schmid's Context Engineering Context vs. prompt engineering distinction https://www.philschmid.de/context-engineering [5] Anthropic Research Context offloading (54% improvement) https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/claude-think-tool [6] "Less is More" Paper Smart tool selection (44% improvement) https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.15399 [7] Fred Hebert's Human-Machine Gap Operator skills importance https://ferd.ca/the-gap-through-which-we-praise-the-machine.html [8] Microsoft Azure CTO Warning Industry reality check on vibe coding hype https://www.geekwire.com/2025/reality-check-microsoft-azure-cto-pushes-back-on-ai-vibe-coding-hype- sees-upper-limit-long-term/ [9] Domain Understanding Requirement Context engineering needs domain expertise https://medium.com/@springrod/context-engineering-needs-domain-understanding-b4387e8e4bf8 [10] Breadcrumb Protocol Foundation workflow https://dasith.me/2025/04/02/vibe-coding-breadcrumbs/ [11] Manus Production Context Engineering Real-world lessons from building AI agents at scale https://manus.im/blog/Context-Engineering-for-AI-Agents-Lessons-from-Building-Manus References
61. Any questions? THANKS! @dasiths dasith.me https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/asia/sri-lanka/
62. Presentation template designed by powerpointify.com Special thanks to all people who made and shared these awesome resources for free: CREDITS Photographs by unsplash.com Free Fonts used: https://www.fontsquirrel.com/fonts/oswald @dasiths