When to Use Autohand Code

Best use cases

Autohand Code works best when you need to make real changes across your codebase. Here are the tasks where it saves you the most time:

• Building new features from descriptions - Describe what you want and Autohand Code writes the code, tests, and wiring
• Fixing bugs and debugging errors - Paste an error or describe the problem and let Autohand Code trace it
• Refactoring and cleaning up code - Restructure modules, rename things, and apply patterns
• Writing tests for existing code - Generate test suites that match your project's conventions
• Generating documentation - Create docs, comments, and READMEs from your code
• Automating Git workflows - Stage, commit, and manage branches with clear messages

Feature development

Describe what you want to build in plain English. Autohand Code reads your codebase, plans the changes, writes the code, and verifies it works.

For example, you can run:

autohand "Add a REST API endpoint for user profiles with validation"

Autohand Code will scan your project structure, find where the endpoint belongs, generate the route handler, add input validation, and create the supporting types or models. You review the diff and approve or adjust.

Bug fixing

Paste an error message or describe unusual behavior. Autohand Code traces the problem through your codebase, finds the root cause, and writes a fix.

Example prompt:

autohand "Fix the TypeError in the checkout flow when cart is empty"

Autohand Code reads the stack trace, follows the call chain, identifies the null reference, and patches the code with proper handling. It can also add a test to prevent the bug from coming back.

Code refactoring

Point Autohand Code at messy code and describe what you want. It restructures, renames, and cleans up while keeping everything working.

Example prompt:

autohand "Refactor the payment module to use the strategy pattern"

Autohand Code understands the existing logic, creates the strategy interface and concrete implementations, updates all call sites, and makes sure existing tests still pass.

Test generation

Autohand Code reads your code, understands the behavior, and writes tests that match your project's testing patterns.

It detects your test framework (Jest, Vitest, pytest, Go testing, etc.), follows your naming conventions, and generates tests that cover the important paths - happy path, edge cases, and error handling.

Git automation

Autohand Code analyzes your staged changes and creates clear, meaningful commit messages. It understands conventional commits and your project's patterns.

Beyond commits, Autohand Code can help with branch management, interactive rebasing, conflict resolution, and creating pull request descriptions that actually explain the "why" behind your changes.

When NOT to use Autohand Code

Autohand Code is powerful, but it is not the right tool for every situation. Skip it when:

• Quick one-line edits you already know how to make - If you can type the fix faster than explaining it, just type it
• Tasks requiring real-time collaboration with other people - Autohand Code works best as a solo coding partner, not a team chat tool
• Operations on production databases without review - Always review generated SQL or migration scripts before running them in production
• Sensitive credential management - Do not pass secrets, API keys, or passwords through prompts

Next steps

• Instructing Autohand Code - Learn how to write effective prompts
• Good vs bad prompts - See real examples of what works and what does not
• SDLC integration - Fit Autohand Code into your development workflow