What the fastest-growing tools reveal about how software is being built

In 2025, the landscape of software development shifted significantly, as highlighted in the latest Octoverse report, with a focus on reducing friction through AI-assisted development rather than merely increasing code output. TypeScript emerged as the most-used language on GitHub, surpassing Python and JavaScript, largely due to the advantages of strong typing in AI-generated code, which helps catch errors early and facilitates smoother AI integration. Python maintained its critical role in AI development, particularly in production-ready systems, as nearly half of all new AI projects on GitHub were built using it. The trend towards performance and minimalism is evident in the fastest-growing tools, which prioritize speed, control, and predictable outcomes, aligning with the needs of AI-assisted workflows. Additionally, the report highlights the importance of clear documentation and contributor guides in attracting and sustaining new open-source contributors, reflecting a shift in developer values towards tools that offer faster feedback loops and reproducible environments. Overall, these trends illustrate how developers are optimizing for speed, clarity, and reliability, with AI becoming an integral aspect of development processes.