Coding assistants can suggest code, explain snippets and help navigate unfamiliar projects. They can also produce insecure, outdated or incorrect changes. Keep the developer responsible for understanding what enters the codebase.

Start with a narrow task

Ask for an explanation of a small function, a test case or a focused change. Include relevant conventions and constraints, but remove secrets and private user data. Request a short explanation of assumptions alongside the proposed code.

Inspect before accepting

Read the full diff, check dependencies and licences where relevant, then run the project’s normal checks. Test boundary cases and verify that the change fits existing architecture. Treat a passing suggestion or generated test as evidence to review, not proof of correctness.

Check workspace policy

Products and account types can differ in data controls, model access and quotas. Review official documentation and your employer’s approved-tool list. Keep API keys, credentials, customer data and unreleased code out of unapproved prompts.

Give the assistant a bounded context

Share only the files needed to explain the issue and describe the expected behaviour, runtime and project conventions. Ask it to list assumptions before suggesting a patch. For unfamiliar code, request an explanation and possible edge cases first; that often reveals whether it misunderstood the interfaces or constraints.

Review the change as a maintainer

Inspect every file and dependency in the diff. Check input validation, error handling, logging, permission boundaries and licence notices. Run the project’s existing checks and add tests for the behaviour that matters. Do not accept a large rewrite when a small change will solve the problem, and do not merge code you cannot explain.

Try this: Pick a small pure function from a project you can share. Ask an assistant to explain it and suggest edge cases; write or inspect tests yourself before changing anything.

A note on accuracy and privacy

Generated code may contain security flaws or unsuitable licence material. Never merge output you cannot explain and maintain.

Official sources to check

We link to product owners’ pages so you can check current access, plan details and terms for yourself. Features and availability can change.

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This guide is general information, not professional advice. Editorial research is based on linked product and primary-source pages; we do not describe tools as hands-on tested.