To evaluate candidates' coding abilities, consider implementing assessments through take-home assignments or live coding exercises during interviews. These assessments should focus on real-world scenarios that assess the candidate's problem-solving skills, algorithmic thinking, code quality, and adherence to best practices. Collaborative coding sessions or pair programming exercises can provide insight into a candidate's ability to work effectively in a team setting. Additionally, asking candidates about their experience with automated testing and test-driven frontend and backend development can reveal their approach to writing reliable and maintainable code.