AI coding agents are currently transforming the way software is developed. They plan tasks, write and modify code, run tests, and respond to feedback. In practice, however, it quickly becomes clear that a powerful model alone does not make for a reliable agent. For an agent to operate securely, transparently, and reliably, it needs the right environment. This environment is called a harness. The task of building, operating, and continuously improving it is known as harness engineering.