tech
Opus 4.8 scored 81 in my benchmark. I still wouldn't default to it. (The full breakdown + Nate's Community Slack)
Claude Opus 4.8 is excellent. The harder question is where it should replace your current workflow, where it should be a specialist, and where turning the reasoning dial up can make the work worse.
TL;DR
- Claude Opus 4.8 leads the benchmark suite with a score of 81, surpassing GPT-5.5 (71) and other models.
- Opus 4.8 excels in areas like source discipline, operational judgment, and self-correction, which are critical for professional AI output.
- Despite its high score, Opus 4.8 has weaknesses, including visual and front-end issues, and was outperformed by other models on specific tasks like the Artemis visualization.
- The article questions the 'smartest model' approach, suggesting that effective model choice requires considering factors like work type, task length, source material needs, tool usage, and error handling.
- The author will not treat Opus 4.8 as a universal replacement but will use it aggressively for specific tasks and provide guidance on choosing between Opus 4.8, Codex/5.5, and GPT-5.5.
- The article promises a breakdown of tests, discussion on the 'effort-level trap,' guidance on choosing daily tools, and role-specific advice for builders, leaders, and executives.