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AI-Assisted Development Workflow Guide

This guide outlines best practices for using AI coding assistants (like Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, etc.) in the LayerFive development workflow.

Table of Contents

  1. Getting Started
  2. Daily Workflow
  3. Feature Development
  4. Code Review
  5. Debugging
  6. Best Practices

Getting Started

Initial Setup

  1. Review Agent Files: Familiarize yourself with the agent files in this directory
  2. Understand Project Structure: Know where backend and frontend code lives
  3. Environment Setup: Ensure your development environment is working
  4. Context Loading: When starting a session, provide relevant context to the AI

Context Provision

When working with an AI assistant, provide:
  • Goal: What you’re trying to achieve
  • Current State: What’s already implemented
  • Constraints: Any limitations or requirements
  • Related Files: Relevant code locations
Example:

Daily Workflow

Morning Startup

Using AI for Daily Tasks

Quick Code Explanations

Finding Code

Writing Boilerplate

Feature Development

1. Planning Phase

Use AI to help plan the feature before coding:

2. Implementation Phase

Backend Development

Frontend Development

3. Integration Phase

Code Review

Using AI for Self-Review

Before creating a PR, use AI to review your code:

Documentation Generation

Debugging

Error Investigation

Performance Issues

Best Practices

Effective Prompting

✅ Good Prompts

❌ Poor Prompts

Iterative Development

  1. Start Small: Begin with a simple implementation
  2. Test Early: Verify each piece works before moving on
  3. Refine: Use AI to improve code quality
  4. Document: Generate documentation as you go

Validation

Always validate AI-generated code:
  • Does it follow project conventions?
  • Are there any security issues?
  • Is error handling adequate?
  • Are edge cases covered?
  • Do tests pass?
  • Is it performant?

Code Quality Checks

Specialized Workflows

Adding a New Django App

Adding a New Angular Feature Module

Database Migrations

API Integration

Collaboration with AI

Pair Programming Pattern

  1. Explain: Tell AI what you want to build
  2. Review: AI suggests implementation approach
  3. Discuss: Ask questions, raise concerns
  4. Implement: AI generates code
  5. Refine: Iterate on the implementation
  6. Test: Verify functionality
  7. Document: Generate documentation

Learning Mode

Use AI to learn while you code:

Time-Saving Tips

Templates and Boilerplate

Keep common prompts ready:
  • “Generate Django model with full CRUD API and tests”
  • “Create Angular component with service integration”
  • “Write integration test for [feature]”
  • “Generate API documentation for [endpoint]“

Bulk Operations

Refactoring

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  1. Blind Trust: Always review and test AI-generated code
  2. Over-Reliance: Understand the code, don’t just copy-paste
  3. Insufficient Context: Provide enough context for accurate suggestions
  4. Ignoring Project Patterns: Ensure AI follows your project’s conventions
  5. Security Oversights: Always verify security-critical code
  6. Missing Tests: Don’t skip test generation
  7. Poor Prompts: Vague prompts lead to vague solutions

Measuring Success

Track your AI-assisted development:
  • Time Saved: Compare development time before/after
  • Code Quality: Bugs found in AI-generated vs manual code
  • Learning: New patterns and techniques discovered
  • Productivity: Features delivered per sprint

Resources

Internal

  • Agent files in /ai directory
  • Project documentation in /docs
  • README files in backend and frontend

External

  • AI assistant documentation
  • Django best practices
  • Angular style guide
  • Testing frameworks documentation

Getting Help

When stuck:
  1. Try rephrasing your prompt
  2. Provide more context
  3. Break down the problem into smaller pieces
  4. Ask AI to explain its reasoning
  5. Consult team members for complex decisions
Remember: AI is a tool to augment your capabilities, not replace your judgment. Always apply critical thinking and validate generated code.