/start

pair --start

Start a new pair programming session with AI assistance.

Usage

claude-flow pair --start [options]

Options

• `--agent <name>` - AI pair partner (default: auto-select)
• `--mode <type>` - Programming mode: driver, navigator, switch
• `--verify` - Enable real-time verification
• `--threshold <0-1>` - Verification threshold (default: 0.95)
• `--focus <area>` - Focus area: refactor, test, debug, implement
• `--language <lang>` - Primary programming language
• `--review` - Enable continuous code review
• `--test` - Run tests after each change
• `--interval <time>` - Switch interval for switch mode (default: 10m)

Examples

Basic Start

claude-flow pair --start

Expert Refactoring Session

claude-flow pair --start \
  --agent senior-dev \
  --focus refactor \
  --verify \
  --threshold 0.98

TDD Session

claude-flow pair --start \
  --mode driver \
  --focus test \
  --test \
  --language javascript

Debugging Session

claude-flow pair --start \
  --agent debugger-expert \
  --focus debug \
  --review

Session Initialization

When starting a session, the system:

1. **Selects AI Partner** - Matches expertise to your needs 2. **Configures Environment** - Sets up verification and testing 3. **Establishes Roles** - Defines driver/navigator responsibilities 4. **Loads Context** - Imports project information 5. **Begins Monitoring** - Tracks quality metrics

Modes Explained

Driver Mode

You write code while AI:

• Provides real-time suggestions
• Reviews changes instantly
• Catches potential issues
• Suggests improvements

Navigator Mode

AI writes code while you:

• Provide high-level guidance
• Review generated code
• Request modifications
• Control direction

Switch Mode

Automatically alternates roles:

• Default: 10-minute intervals
• Configurable timing
• Smooth handoffs
• Shared context

Focus Areas

Refactor

• Code structure improvements
• Pattern implementation
• Performance optimization
• Readability enhancement

Test

• Test-driven development
• Test coverage improvement
• Edge case identification
• Mock creation

Debug

• Issue identification
• Root cause analysis
• Fix suggestions
• Prevention strategies

Implement

• Feature development
• API creation
• UI components
• Business logic

Quality Features

Verification

• Real-time truth scoring
• Automatic rollback on failures
• Quality gates before commits
• Continuous monitoring

Code Review

• Instant feedback
• Best practice enforcement
• Security scanning
• Performance analysis

Testing

• Automatic test generation
• Coverage tracking
• Integration suggestions
• Regression prevention

Session Output

👥 Pair Programming Session Started
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Session ID: pair_1755021234567
Partner: senior-dev
Mode: Switch (10m intervals)
Focus: Implementation
Language: JavaScript

Verification: ✅ Enabled (0.95 threshold)
Testing: ✅ Auto-run on save
Review: ✅ Continuous

Current Role: DRIVER (you)
Navigator: senior-dev is ready...

📝 Workspace: /workspaces/my-project
📊 Truth Score: 0.972 ✅
🧪 Test Coverage: 84%

Type /help for commands or start coding...

Background Execution

Start sessions in background for long-running collaboration:

# Start in background
claude-flow pair --start --background

# Monitor session
claude-flow pair status

# View session output
claude-flow pair output session_id

# End background session
claude-flow pair --end session_id

Integration

With Git

claude-flow pair --start --git --auto-commit

With CI/CD

claude-flow pair --start --ci --non-interactive

With IDE

claude-flow pair --start --ide vscode

Best Practices

1. **Clear Goals** - Define session objectives 2. **Appropriate Mode** - Choose based on task 3. **Enable Verification** - For critical code 4. **Regular Testing** - Maintain quality 5. **Session Notes** - Document decisions

Related Commands

• `pair --end` - End current session
• `pair --status` - Check session status
• `pair --history` - View past sessions
• `pair --config` - Configure defaults