Pair Programming
Collaborative AI pair programming with intelligent role management, real-time quality monitoring, and comprehensive development workflows.
What This Skill Does
This skill provides professional pair programming capabilities with AI assistance, supporting multiple collaboration modes, continuous verification, and integrated testing. It manages driver/navigator roles, performs real-time code review, tracks quality metrics, and ensures high standards through truth-score verification.
Key Capabilities:
- Multiple Modes: Driver, Navigator, Switch, TDD, Review, Mentor, Debug
- Real-Time Verification: Automatic quality scoring with rollback on failures
- Role Management: Seamless switching between driver/navigator roles
- Testing Integration: Auto-generate tests, track coverage, continuous testing
- Code Review: Security scanning, performance analysis, best practice enforcement
- Session Persistence: Auto-save, recovery, export, and sharing
Prerequisites
Required:
- Claude Flow CLI installed (
npm install -g claude-flow@alpha) - Git repository (optional but recommended)
Recommended:
- Testing framework (Jest, pytest, etc.)
- Linter configured (ESLint, pylint, etc.)
- Code formatter (Prettier, Black, etc.)
Quick Start
Basic Session
# Start simple pair programming
claude-flow pair --start
TDD Session
# Test-driven development
claude-flow pair --start \
--mode tdd \
--test-first \
--coverage 90
Complete Guide
Session Control Commands
Starting Sessions
# Basic start
claude-flow pair --start
# Expert refactoring session
claude-flow pair --start \
--agent senior-dev \
--focus refactor \
--verify \
--threshold 0.98
# Debugging session
claude-flow pair --start \
--agent debugger-expert \
--focus debug \
--review
# Learning session
claude-flow pair --start \
--mode mentor \
--pace slow \
--examples
Session Management
# Check status
claude-flow pair --status
# View history
claude-flow pair --history
# Pause session
/pause [--reason <reason>]
# Resume session
/resume
# End session
claude-flow pair --end [--save] [--report]
Available Modes
Driver Mode
You write code while AI provides guidance.
claude-flow pair --start --mode driver
Your Responsibilities:
- Write actual code
- Implement solutions
- Make immediate decisions
- Handle syntax and structure
AI Navigator:
- Strategic guidance
- Spot potential issues
- Suggest improvements
- Real-time review
- Track overall direction
Best For:
- Learning new patterns
- Implementing familiar features
- Quick iterations
- Hands-on debugging
Commands:
/suggest - Get implementation suggestions
/review - Request code review
/explain - Ask for explanations
/optimize - Request optimization ideas
/patterns - Get pattern recommendations
Navigator Mode
AI writes code while you provide direction.
claude-flow pair --start --mode navigator
Your Responsibilities:
- Provide high-level direction
- Review generated code
- Make architectural decisions
- Ensure business requirements
AI Driver:
- Write implementation code
- Handle syntax details
- Implement your guidance
- Manage boilerplate
- Execute refactoring
Best For:
- Rapid prototyping
- Boilerplate generation
- Learning from AI patterns
- Exploring solutions
Commands:
/implement - Direct implementation
/refactor - Request refactoring
/test - Generate tests
/document - Add documentation
/alternate - See alternative approaches
Switch Mode
Automatically alternates roles at intervals.
# Default 10-minute intervals
claude-flow pair --start --mode switch
# 5-minute intervals (rapid)
claude-flow pair --start --mode switch --interval 5m
# 15-minute intervals (deep focus)
claude-flow pair --start --mode switch --interval 15m
Handoff Process:
- 30-second warning before switch
- Current driver completes thought
- Context summary generated
- Roles swap smoothly
- New driver continues
Best For:
- Balanced collaboration
- Knowledge sharing
- Complex features
- Extended sessions
Specialized Modes
TDD Mode - Test-Driven Development:
claude-flow pair --start \
--mode tdd \
--test-first \
--coverage 100
Workflow: Write failing test → Implement → Refactor → Repeat
Review Mode - Continuous code review:
claude-flow pair --start \
--mode review \
--strict \
--security
Features: Real-time feedback, security scanning, performance analysis
Mentor Mode - Learning-focused:
claude-flow pair --start \
--mode mentor \
--explain-all \
--pace slow
Features: Detailed explanations, step-by-step guidance, pattern teaching
Debug Mode - Problem-solving:
claude-flow pair --start \
--mode debug \
--verbose \
--trace
Features: Issue identification, root cause analysis, fix suggestions
In-Session Commands
Code Commands
/explain [--level basic|detailed|expert]
Explain the current code or selection
/suggest [--type refactor|optimize|security|style]
Get improvement suggestions
/implement <description>
Request implementation (navigator mode)
/refactor [--pattern <pattern>] [--scope function|file|module]
Refactor selected code
/optimize [--target speed|memory|both]
Optimize code for performance
/document [--format jsdoc|markdown|inline]
Add documentation to code
/comment [--verbose]
Add inline comments
/pattern <pattern-name> [--example]
Apply a design pattern
Testing Commands
/test [--watch] [--coverage] [--only <pattern>]
Run test suite
/test-gen [--type unit|integration|e2e]
Generate tests for current code
/coverage [--report html|json|terminal]
Check test coverage
/mock <target> [--realistic]
Generate mock data or functions
/test-watch [--on-save]
Enable test watching
/snapshot [--update]
Create test snapshots
Review Commands
/review [--scope current|file|changes] [--strict]
Perform code review
/security [--deep] [--fix]
Security analysis
/perf [--profile] [--suggestions]
Performance analysis
/quality [--detailed]
Check code quality metrics
/lint [--fix] [--config <config>]
Run linters
/complexity [--threshold <value>]
Analyze code complexity
Navigation Commands
/goto <file>[:line[:column]]
Navigate to file or location
/find <pattern> [--regex] [--case-sensitive]
Search in project
/recent [--limit <n>]
Show recent files
/bookmark [add|list|goto|remove] [<name>]
Manage bookmarks
/history [--limit <n>] [--filter <pattern>]
Show command history
/tree [--depth <n>] [--filter <pattern>]
Show project structure
Git Commands
/diff [--staged] [--file <file>]
Show git diff
/commit [--message <msg>] [--amend]
Commit with verification
/branch [create|switch|delete|list] [<name>]
Branch operations
/stash [save|pop|list|apply] [<message>]
Stash operations
/log [--oneline] [--limit <n>]
View git log
/blame [<file>]
Show git blame
AI Partner Commands
/agent [switch|info|config] [<agent-name>]
Manage AI agent
/teach <preference>
Teach the AI your preferences
/feedback [positive|negative] <message>
Provide feedback to AI
/personality [professional|friendly|concise|verbose]
Adjust AI personality
/expertise [add|remove|list] [<domain>]
Set AI expertise focus
Metrics Commands
/metrics [--period today|session|week|all]
Show session metrics
/score [--breakdown]
Show quality scores
/productivity [--chart]
Show productivity metrics
/leaderboard [--personal|team]
Show improvement leaderboard
Role & Mode Commands
/switch [--immediate]
Switch driver/navigator roles
/mode <type>
Change mode (driver|navigator|switch|tdd|review|mentor|debug)
/role
Show current role
/handoff