How to use Claude to modernize an old iOS app
Claude Code helped modernize an old iOS music app, but the author had to revert incorrect core changes and closely guide repairs. They considered the roughly $30 weekend effort worthwhile.
news.ycombinator.com
Original prompt
Shared by the source author. See source notes for context.
do whatever you need to to modernize this code
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See placements →Evidence at a glance
Sourced account- Source poster / publisher
- sriku
- Original account
- Read the source ↗
- Published
- Source link checked
- Reported result
- The author considered a day of modernization work useful at approximately $30, despite needing to revert and closely guide incorrect core changes. App Store restoration was not confirmed.
- Human involvement
- The author inspected the changes, corrected mistakes, reverted damaged core code and micromanaged subsequent edits.
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How the agent did it
- Give Claude Code a broad instruction to modernize the old app.
- Inspect its changes and correct the mistakes.
- Revert incorrect changes to core application code.
The author spent a weekend day working to revive an old iOS music application. It had been removed from the App Store after they stopped keeping up with changes and devices, and music students were asking when it would return.
They gave Claude Code a broad modernization instruction and let it work before correcting its mistakes. The author found many of the mechanical changes useful. They also describe valuing help with incidental details across the software system's many small languages.
The same broad instruction also led to serious problems in core code. The author says some changes made no sense, so they reverted them and closely directed the replacement edits. Their assessment therefore includes both useful automation and substantial intervention rather than an entirely unattended repair.
They considered the day's work a success and estimated spending approximately $30. The excerpt does not state that the application was resubmitted, approved or restored to the App Store. Its confirmed endpoint is the author's positive assessment of the modernization work completed that weekend.
Who it's for: Developers who can inspect and correct changes to an existing application.
Prompt
Original prompt
Source: Hacker News · sriku
Frequently asked questions
What instruction did the author give Claude Code?
The author describes using Claude Code in “do whatever you need to to modernize this code” mode.
Was the app confirmed back in the App Store?
No. The excerpt describes a useful day of modernization work, including reversions and corrections, but does not confirm App Store restoration.
More details
Remaining steps
- Closely direct subsequent changes to the affected core code.
About this account
Claude initially worked under a broad modernization instruction, followed by close human direction where core changes were incorrect.
Platform: Hacker News. Attribution: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44094659. Prompt: Original (quoted from source). Sourced by the Agents In Use pipeline.
Credit: sriku on Hacker News
Source published
Added to Agents In Use
Source checked
Tools and topics
Claude Code
iOS · App maintenance · Code modernization
Editorial completeness: 100/100. Measures documented fields, not agent performance or verified outcomes.