Autopilot: The AI Developer's Assistant
Autopilot is a powerful AI tool designed to enhance the efficiency of software developers. By leveraging the capabilities of GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), Autopilot reads through a codebase, comprehends its context, and tackles tasks based on user requests. This innovative tool promises to be an indispensable assistant for developers, automating routine tasks and helping tackle complex coding challenges with greater ease.
How Autopilot Works
The process of using Autopilot is straightforward:
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Direct Autopilot to the Codebase: Start by pointing Autopilot at the codebase where you have a specific task that needs addressing.
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Metadata Management: Autopilot generates and maintains a database (DB) filled with metadata about the codebase files. This metadata resides within the codebase directory.
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File Selection: Using the metadata database, Autopilot selects the necessary files that are relevant for the task at hand.
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Task Implementation: Autopilot attempts to carry out the requested task on the selected files, updating the code to meet the specified needs.
Integration with GitHub
Autopilot can be used as a GitHub app, streamlining the development workflow. By installing the app from the Code Autopilot website, users can have Autopilot automatically resolve issues opened on GitHub and manage features related to Pull Requests. This integration makes it easier for developers to harness Autopilot's power directly within their existing GitHub ecosystem.
Key Features
- Pre-processing Codebase Files: Autopilot can pre-process files, setting the stage for efficient task execution.
- Automated Code Changes: The tool can automatically implement code changes, reducing manual coding effort.
- Parallel Processing: Where feasible, Autopilot conducts parallel operations to speed up task completion.
- Process Transparency: Users can see a complete log of updates, with detailed AI interactions for clarity and record-keeping.
- Interactive Mode: Developers can run Autopilot in an interactive mode, allowing for decision-making at each step with options to retry, continue, or abort tasks.
Task Capabilities
Autopilot can handle various types of tasks:
- Referencing Code: It supports referencing files and functions in multiple ways, whether by relative paths or specific business concepts.
- Executing Changes: Capable of updating existing files or creating new ones based on existing templates. However, it currently cannot start new files from scratch or delete existing ones. Some features like cascade updates for related files and self-testing of written code are still under development.
Getting Started
To begin using Autopilot, ensure you have Node.js version 18 or above. The installation process involves cloning the repository, setting up dependencies, and configuring the environment with necessary variables like the OpenAI API key. For running tasks, simple command line instructions as node ui -t "YOUR_TASK" can be used, with options for interactive modes available.
Contributing to Autopilot
The project welcomes contributions from developers! Contributions can help Autopilot evolve into an even more versatile tool. Those interested in contributing can submit pull requests and partake in the collaborative effort to enhance its functionalities.
Running Tests
Autopilot provides a comprehensive testing suite:
- All Tests: Run with
npm run test - Unit Tests: Focused test scenarios, run with
npm run unit-test - Benchmarks: End-to-end testing, run with
npm run e2e-test
By boosting efficiency and automating routine processes, Autopilot stands as a potentially game-changing assistant in the world of software development, providing support and innovation to coding endeavors.