AI Latency Tolerance

AI latency tolerance is a skill that separates frustrated vibe coders from productive ones. AI responses take time, and how you handle that time affects both productivity and satisfaction.

Understanding AI Latency

Where latency comes from:

• Model inference time (computation)
• Network round-trip (API calls)
• Context processing (longer context = longer wait)
• Server load (variable response times)

Typical latencies:

• Code completion: 100-500ms (nearly instant)
• Simple chat responses: 2-5 seconds
• Complex generation: 10-30 seconds
• Large context analysis: 30-60 seconds

Building Latency Tolerance

Accept It

AI isn't instant. Fighting this reality creates frustration.

Use Wait Time Productively

• Review previous output
• Plan next steps
• Check related code
• Update documentation

Batch Work Appropriately

• Simple queries: rapid back-and-forth
• Complex tasks: longer prompts, longer waits, more value

Choose the Right Mode

• Code completion: nearly instant, low disruption
• Chat: noticeable wait, plan around it
• Agent: longer runs, do other work meanwhile

Anti-Patterns

• Staring at loading indicator
• Sending duplicate requests
• Getting frustrated at normal latency
• Interrupting long generations

Tools for Latency Management

• Streaming responses: See output as it generates
• Background agents: Run while you work elsewhere
• Multiple sessions: Switch between conversations
• Smaller requests: Faster responses for simple tasks

Latency tolerance is a mindset shift. The wait isn't wasted time if you use it well.