Lesson 1703 of 2116
AI tools: pair-programming workflows that don't slow you down
Treat the AI as a junior pair: drive intent, accept its drafts, throw away its mistakes fast. Don't argue with it.
Lesson map
What this lesson covers
Learning path
The main moves in order
- 1The premise
- 2pair programming
- 3AI workflow
- 4fast rejection
Concept cluster
Terms to connect while reading
Section 1
The premise
AI pair programming is most productive when you stay in the driver's seat — defining intent and accepting good output — rather than negotiating with the AI as an equal. The cost of rejecting a draft is low; the cost of debating one is high.
What AI does well here
- Produce multiple alternatives on request
- Restart cleanly when given a fresh prompt
- Accept rejection without explanation
What AI cannot do
- Take real ownership of architectural decisions
- Know when its previous suggestion was bad without you saying so
- Substitute for understanding what you're building
Key terms in this lesson
End-of-lesson quiz
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