CodiumAI PR-Agent Dominates the Dev World with Versatility and Open-Source Power
Tags: codiumai, opensource, githubcopilot, pullrequest
Published: 2023-12-03 13:09:12

In the fast-paced world of software development, where every line of code matters, effective collaboration is non-negotiable. Yet, the often-overlooked practice of thorough pull request documentation can hinder the clarity and efficiency crucial to a project’s success. 

[CodiumAI PR-agent (Git Plugin)](https://www.codium.ai/products/git-plugin/) is an automatic action tool that responds to **pull request (PR)** events in or to your repository; PR created, PR merged, Issues Created, and Labels created.

In this article, we explore how this solution empowers developers, streamlines workflows, and elevates the collaborative coding experience, in comparison to the GitHub Co-pilots PR solution.

# Key Features

To describe some of these features, I’ll use a recently [merged pull request](https://github.com/Codium-ai/pr-agent/pull/490) I made to the [CodiumAI](https://codium.ai/) PR agent project. A live scenario like that makes it easy to understand.

### **Auto Description (`/describe`) Prompt**:
I made a PR to the CodiumAI PR agent project on GitHub. The maintainer wanted to properly format the PR message I made, so he queried the agent via the `/describe` prompt.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/izc2hoozcrr4i292z73s.png)

> Prompt made by an Open Source Maintainer
>

This prompt generated a description of the PR. It contains the following: *title, type, description, main files walkthrough, and labels.* It also edited my initial comment.
_**1) Title**_
The **Title** of the PR is renamed when the prompt `/describe` is called. Below we can see the before and after effects of this.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/kqvqei29lg4m2ptnsxg6.jpeg)
**_2) Type_**
This is the label name. The _“Refactoring”_ label name was used because, in the commit I made, I was restructuring the code to improve its readability
**_3) Description_**
This is a summary of the PR.
**_4) Main Files Walkthrough_**
This provides a closer explanation of what was changed in the file I committed in this PR.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/7v1nddh4ih1orpxdenjc.jpeg)
> Contributors' comments were edited due to the prompt
> 

**_5) Labels_**
This labels the PR properly.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/p0s8zzu3zomhzyol5pbl.jpeg)

### **Question Answering (`/ask ...`) Prompt**:
This allows a maintainer to question the commit more to be sure if it's worth a merge.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/91ck94wk6lbjifl5do99.png)
In this PR I opened, the maintainer asked more questions, and when he was satisfied, he merged the PR. This is a real-world implementation and it's amazing how the agent provided great feedback.

### **Update Changelog (`/update_changelog`) Prompt**:
This prompt updates the change log file in the repository. A change log file, often named **CHANGELOG.md** in a repository, tracks and describes version-specific updates, like new features or bug fixes, aiding users and contributors.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ja6sedj5d55ij40swizz.png)

### **Auto Review (`/review`) Prompt**:
This is similar to the /describe prompt but with an extra description.
- It reviews if relevant tests are added to the code. If it is a simple .md file used for documentation or a .txt file used for outlining dependencies to be installed, no tests are required.
- It also scales how deep it needs to review a commit depending on whether it is documentation or actual code.
- It reviews the code for security issues and recommends a fix if a flaw is found.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/yhdg9xzd08ltullu0b5o.jpeg)
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/h8qaya0qsinai0k0paob.jpeg)

### **Code Suggestions (`/improve`)**:
This prompt suggests the best of what other developers have figured. It comes as a suggestion, and then you have choices:
- Commit the suggestions you are given.
- Address the suggestion by resolving it.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/fodl5crga3t54w52tn5q.jpeg)
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/v7s0yjydi0bvi7xtyyh5.jpeg)
Here the PR agent suggested I use a later version of the Python Request library.

> In a real-world use case, it's important to ensure that a new version committed is compatible with the existing codebase and that it doesn't introduce any breaking changes or conflicts with other dependencies.
> 

### **Generate Custom Labels (`/generate_labels`) Prompt**:
The outcome of this prompt is similar to a part of the result in the `/describe` prompt; therefore, add labels.
In the below example, an `enhancement` label was added because I committed a suggestion made by the agent via the `/improve` prompt.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/u1hu8yt1v3a5jzxtoze9.png)

### **Add Documentation (`/add_docs`) Prompt**:
This prompt suggests the necessary documentation for the commit.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ha7df3qb0zld4ss0i13o.png)
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ue946f303ccw2ak4r804.png)
I ended up using this suggestion.

### **Find Similar Issue (`/similar_issue`) Prompt**:
This prompt suggests similar open issues in the repository.
In the below example, a user opened an [issue](https://github.com/Codium-ai/pr-agent/issues/207) about inconsistencies in the Bitbucket documentation section of the CodiumAI PR agent. To find similar issues in the repository, one of the maintainers issued a `/similar_issue` prompt. One similar documentation issue here is the _“1. [GITLAB] Installation Guide for GitLab please?”_
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xu8kgoxd38o00toh50x3.png)
# Comparative Analysis: CodiumAI vs. GitHub Copilot
In the dynamic landscape of collaborative coding, CodiumAI PR-Agent, and GitHub Copilot PR emerge as notable contenders, each with its unique strengths and characteristics.

**CodiumAI PR-Agent:**
- Excels with a comprehensive set of commands, providing developers with enhanced control over pull requests.
- Showcases platform flexibility, operating seamlessly across various environments beyond GitHub.
- Boasts an open-source model, fostering transparency and community engagement.
- It offers versatility by being available not only in Git but also in IDEs like VScode and IntelliJ IDEA.
- The commands are free for developers.

**GitHub Copilot:**
- Stands out for its strong focus on code generation within the GitHub environment.
- Currently features a more limited set of commands; summarizing pull requests, but plans to expand in the future.
- It is primarily confined to the GitHub ecosystem.
- Operates with a closed-source model, potentially limiting visibility into the development process.
- The commands are only free for 30 days; afterward, they are available in a paid plan.

**Comparative Conclusion:**
For developers seeking a robust, all-encompassing solution with a diverse command toolkit, platform flexibility, and transparency, CodiumAI PR-Agent proves to be a superior choice. Its open-source nature and compatibility with various environments provide a more versatile and collaborative coding experience. While GitHub Copilot excels in certain aspects, developers may find CodiumAI PR-Agent better suited for projects requiring broader functionality, flexibility, and community engagement. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on specific project requirements and preferences in the collaborative coding journey.

# Community Impact
## How Open Source Projects Use It
[CodiumAI](https://codium.ai/) PR-Agent’s influence extends deeply within open-source projects. An exemplary illustration is [Kubescape](https://kubescape.io/), a Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) sandbox project. Since its adoption in [August](https://github.com/kubescape/kubescape/commit/f36d8c31b021755784205d5873fe62c0ce277d4f), Kubescape has been utilizing the PR-Agent service. They also recently had a public [bug bounty](https://www.codium.ai/bug-bounty-collaboration/Kubescape) collaboration with CodiumAI. This program added an extra layer of community-driven scrutiny, encouraging contributors to utilize simple commands like `/describe` for effective [pull request](https://github.com/kubescape/kubescape/pull/1534) messages.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/jjfygc5abfl3mb0woe20.png)![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ftu9kjheciwn59xs4cvf.png)
Here the contributor wanted to better describe the PR, so he used the `/describe` prompt.

# Challenges and Solutions: CodiumAI PR-Agent
1. **Learning Curve:**
    - **Challenge:** Initial complexity in understanding diverse commands.
    - **Solution:** Provide user-friendly documentation, tutorials, and community support.
2. **Compatibility Issues:**
    - **Challenge:** Integrating with diverse repositories may pose compatibility challenges.
    - **Solution:** Regularly update for compatibility, and encourage prompt issue reporting.
3. **Command Understanding:**
    - **Challenge:** Users may find nuances in commands challenging. Like understanding when and where to apply certain commands based on the specific context of a pull request.
    - **Solution:** Enhance command explanations, offer contextual help, and provide examples.
4. **Community Engagement:**
    - **Challenge:** Ensuring sustained community involvement.
    - **Solution:** Implement bug bounties, feature requests, and collaborative projects. Communicate updates and involve the community in decisions.
5. **Security Concerns:**
    - **Challenge:** Addressing security concerns in an open-source environment.
    - **Solution:** Conduct regular security audits, encourage responsible disclosure, and maintain transparent communication channels.
6. **Limited Platform Awareness:**
    - **Challenge:** Users may not be fully aware of platform availability.
    - **Solution:** Improve visibility through clear documentation, platform-specific guides, and marketing efforts.
7. **Command Evolution:**
    - **Challenge:** Evolving commands without overwhelming users.
    - **Solution:** Prioritize user feedback, conduct usability testing, and communicate updates.

# Future Roadmap
- **Repository Control Configuration:** The new feature builds upon GitHub Actions’ existing configurability, allowing users to refine and tailor the behavior of CodiumAI PR-Agent within their private repositories. This enhancement provides organizations with a more granular approach to managing collaborative coding processes while maintaining the flexibility to choose the level of automation that suits their workflow.

## Conclusion: Why CodiumAI PR-Agent Dominates the Dev World with Versatility and Open-Source Power
In summary, [CodiumAI](https://codium.ai/) PR-Agent is a versatile and open-source tool that empowers developers and enhances collaboration in software development. With features like auto description, question answering, update changelog, and code suggestions, it provides comprehensive support for pull requests. Compared to GitHub Copilot, CodiumAI PR-Agent offers platform flexibility and transparency. Despite challenges, it continues to evolve with a future roadmap focused on repository control configuration and advanced testing integration. Overall, CodiumAI PR-Agent is a dominant force in the development world.