/pair-programming

name: Pair Programming
description: AI-assisted pair programming with multiple modes (driver/navigator/switch), real-time verification, quality monitoring, and comprehensive testing. Supports TDD, debugging, refactoring, and learning sessions. Features automatic role switching, continuous code review, security scanning, and performance optimization with truth-score verification.

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:** 1. 30-second warning before switch 2. Current driver completes thought 3. Context summary generated 4. Roles swap smoothly 5. 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