Code Generation That Actually Works
How to prompt AI for production-quality code, not just snippets.
7 min read
1 quiz questionsThe difference between garbage AI code and production-quality AI code comes down to one thing: context. The more context you give about your codebase, constraints, and standards, the better the output.
- Language & framework: "TypeScript with Next.js 15 App Router"
- Existing patterns: "We use server components by default, client only when needed"
- Error handling: "Use try/catch with typed errors, never silent catches"
- Testing: "Include unit tests with Vitest"
- Style: "Follow existing codebase conventions" (paste an example)
Feature Implementation
Generates production-quality code with your codebase patterns.
Implement [FEATURE DESCRIPTION]. Tech stack: [LANGUAGE/FRAMEWORK] Existing patterns to follow: ``` [PASTE EXAMPLE OF SIMILAR CODE FROM YOUR CODEBASE] ``` Requirements: - [Requirement 1] - [Requirement 2] - [Requirement 3] Constraints: - Must handle: [error cases] - Must not: [anti-patterns to avoid] - Performance: [any performance requirements] Include: - The implementation - Error handling - Input validation - TypeScript types/interfaces - Brief inline comments for complex logic only
Always paste a real example from your codebase. AI mimics patterns — if you show it good patterns, it produces good code. If you give no context, it defaults to tutorial-quality code.
Code Review
Thorough code review catching bugs, security issues, and performance problems.
Review this code for: 1. Bugs or logic errors 2. Security vulnerabilities (injection, XSS, etc.) 3. Performance issues 4. Missing error handling 5. Code style improvements Be specific: point to exact lines and explain the issue and fix. Don't suggest style changes unless they impact readability. Assume this is production code. ```[LANGUAGE] [PASTE CODE] ```
Prompt Templates
Debug This
Focused debugging that finds the root cause.
This code has a bug. The expected behavior is [EXPECTED]. The actual behavior is [ACTUAL]. Error message (if any): [ERROR] Code: ``` [CODE] ``` Don't rewrite the whole thing. Find the specific bug, explain why it happens, and show the minimal fix.
Test Your Knowledge
Knowledge Check
1 / 1
What's the most important context to include when asking AI to generate code?
Key Takeaways
- ✓Context is the difference between tutorial code and production code
- ✓Always include existing codebase examples in your prompts
- ✓Specify constraints and anti-patterns, not just requirements
- ✓Code review prompts should explicitly list what to check for