What is a coding agent?
An AI agent that plans, edits, runs, tests, and evaluates software changes through tools such as a repository, shell, browser, compiler, and deployment environment.
Why is this important?
Coding agents can complete multi-step engineering work only when they inspect real state and verify outcomes. Text generation alone is not execution.
How it works
The agent reads the task and repository, plans, modifies files, runs checks, observes errors, revises the change, and stops at acceptance criteria.
Technical example
A coding agent adds an API endpoint, updates tests, runs the type checker, fixes the resulting error, and produces a reviewable diff.
Implementation notes
Use isolated environments, least-privilege credentials, bounded commands, protected branches, deterministic tests, and human review for destructive changes.
