Reference · Glossary
Coding assistant
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A **coding assistant** suggests or edits code inside a chat or IDE. It speeds drafting; you still own tests, security review, and licensing.
#When to use
Boilerplate, refactors with clear acceptance tests, explaining unfamiliar code, drafting unit tests you will run.
#When not to
Unreviewed changes to auth, payments, or crypto; pasting secrets; accepting diffs you cannot explain.
#Quality checklist
- Bounded task + files in scope
- Tests or repro steps before merge
- Read the full diff
- No secrets in prompts
#Learn next
- Compare: Coding assistants compared
- How-to: Use AI for code review