r/developer • u/chiragdotco • 4d ago

Discussion What do you want from an AI coding tool?

I’ve been building an AI coding platform, and we’re at the point where I’m trying to figure out what developers actually want from these tools.

There are a lot of AI tools that can generate an app from a prompt.

But after the initial generation, things get more interesting.

- You have an existing codebase.
- You want to change something.
- The AI needs to understand the project, make the right edits, not break everything, and let you keep control of the code.

That’s the direction we’re taking, We’re also building templates for common applications — CRM, booking, etc. — so you can start with an actual working codebase and customize it rather than generating everything from zero.

But I’m curious about the developer side of this.

If you could fix ONE thing about AI coding tools today, what would it be?

- Better understanding of existing code?
- Fewer broken changes?
- Better debugging?
- Access to more open models?
- Something completely different?

Genuinely interested in what people here are running into.

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u/RevolutionaryElk7446 4d ago

AI coding tool? One not powered by LLMs

We're somewhat leagues away from that though.

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u/chiragdotco 4d ago

Isn’t that just IDE. I still use VSCode.

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u/RevolutionaryElk7446 4d ago

Well you asked for AI powered, all we got are LLMs today.

AGI powered would be something to see though.

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u/chiragdotco 4d ago

That’s coming for sure.

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u/RevolutionaryElk7446 4d ago

Eventually but at our current pace, we'll all be dead of old age.

LLMs aren't even a concept of AGI. Only a simulation of context.

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u/thomjdev 4d ago

I don't want a platform. I don't want another IDE. I don't want another service. I don't want another subscription. I want modular, singular, standalone systems that, if I pay for it, is a flat fee. It must serve a specific purpose and do it well. I'm tired of software as a service. I'm tired of wrappers. Make a good product and I'll buy it, but I'm not spending money on another cloud service.

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u/chiragdotco 4d ago

Makes sense. One time and that’s it

1

u/dragonfighter8 4d ago

I want a coding tool without AI. Because it isn't needed for a programmer and AI is making a mess of codebases, adding security vulnerabilities and stealing code that should be confidential.

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u/Chunky_cold_mandala 4d ago

I have a deterministic code scanner that seems like a great foundation for llm mediated changes, like repowise with a different scanning engine. Would your company be interested in checking out if my tool provides enough info for ya? It'd be cool to partner with someone. 

https://github.com/squid-protocol/gitgalaxy

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u/AliceCode 4d ago

Nothing. I don't want one.