{"slug":"build-a-coding-agent-stack","id":"build-a-coding-agent-stack","type":"guide","title":"Build a Coding Agent Stack","description":"A practical recipe for building a coding-agent workflow with model selection, repo access, tests, permissions, review, and rollback.","last_updated":"2026-04-24","last_verified":null,"verification_status":"unverified","markdown_url":"/content/guides/build-a-coding-agent-stack.md","html_url":"/guides/build-a-coding-agent-stack","api_url":"/api/v1/guides/build-a-coding-agent-stack.json","content_hash":"10135c57326cd05a79bfce606d6bca5b1a2ae1d9c5fc11de3f920f6cc5b11984","sha256":"10135c57326cd05a79bfce606d6bca5b1a2ae1d9c5fc11de3f920f6cc5b11984","tags":["recipe","coding-agent","software-engineering","agents","workflow"],"relationships":{"links":[{"text":"coding playbook","href":"/guides/choose-a-coding-model","html_path":"/guides/choose-a-coding-model","target_id":"choose-a-coding-model","target_type":"guide","target_title":"Choose the Best AI Coding Model"}],"related":[{"id":"build-ai-research-assistant","title":"Build an AI Research Assistant","type":"guide","html_url":"/guides/build-an-ai-research-assistant","markdown_url":"/content/guides/build-an-ai-research-assistant.md","shared_tags":["recipe","agents"],"score":4},{"id":"choose-a-coding-model","title":"Choose the Best AI Coding Model","type":"guide","html_url":"/guides/choose-a-coding-model","markdown_url":"/content/guides/choose-a-coding-model.md","shared_tags":["software-engineering","agents"],"score":4},{"id":"agent-tooling-compatibility","title":"Agent Tooling Compatibility","type":"guide","html_url":"/guides/agent-tooling-compatibility","markdown_url":"/content/guides/agent-tooling-compatibility.md","shared_tags":["agents"],"score":3},{"id":"agent-usage-guide","title":"Agent Usage Guide","type":"guide","html_url":"/guides/agent-usage","markdown_url":"/content/guides/agent-usage.md","shared_tags":["agents"],"score":3},{"id":"ai-failure-modes","title":"AI Failure Modes","type":"guide","html_url":"/guides/failure-modes","markdown_url":"/content/guides/failure-modes.md","shared_tags":["agents"],"score":3},{"id":"build-agent-readable-docs-site","title":"Build an Agent-Readable Docs Site","type":"guide","html_url":"/guides/build-an-agent-readable-docs-site","markdown_url":"/content/guides/build-an-agent-readable-docs-site.md","shared_tags":["recipe"],"score":3}],"explicit":{}},"metadata":{"title":"Build a Coding Agent Stack","type":"guide","id":"build-a-coding-agent-stack","description":"A practical recipe for building a coding-agent workflow with model selection, repo access, tests, permissions, review, and rollback.","last_updated":"2026-04-24","tags":["recipe","coding-agent","software-engineering","agents","workflow"]},"content_text":"# Build a Coding Agent Stack\n\nUse this recipe when a user wants an AI system that can work on a codebase, not just answer coding questions.\n\n## Minimal Stack\n\n- Coding agent: Claude Code, Copilot Agent Mode, Devin, or custom framework\n- Model: start with the [coding playbook](/guides/choose-a-coding-model)\n- Repo access: read/write scoped to the project\n- Test command: known and repeatable\n- Review path: diff review before merge\n- Rollback path: git branch or pull request\n\n## Workflow\n\n1. Create a branch per task.\n2. Give the agent the goal and acceptance checks.\n3. Let the agent inspect the repo before editing.\n4. Require tests or targeted verification.\n5. Review diff before merge.\n6. Record what changed and why.\n\n## Guardrails\n\n- No secrets in prompts.\n- No broad shell permissions without review.\n- No production deploys from an unreviewed agent.\n- No dependency upgrades unless requested.\n- No destructive git operations by default.\n\n## Model Guidance\n\nUse a strong model for planning and hard edits. Use cheaper models for repetitive transformations only when tests catch regressions.\n\n## Failure Mode\n\nThe common mistake is giving an agent a vague task and full repo permissions. A coding agent performs best with a narrow goal, a known verification path, and bounded write access.","content_length":1646,"generated_at":"2026-04-24"}