Streamlining AI Workflow: The Quest for Enhanced Developer Efficiency in VSCode Copilot

The 'Keep/Undo' Conundrum for Developer Efficiency

In the fast-paced world of software development, tools that promise to boost developer efficiency are always under scrutiny. GitHub Copilot, particularly its Agent mode in VSCode, has become a powerful ally for many. However, a recent community discussion highlights a point of friction: the persistent 'Keep'/'Undo' UI that appears after Copilot Agent makes modifications.

The original poster, bgrainger, articulated a common sentiment among experienced developers: the UI, featuring buttons by each change, at the bottom of the editor, and in the chat panel, feels "far too chatty." For users who are already tracking changes with Git, or who trust the AI's initial output enough to iterate with new prompts rather than meticulously reviewing each line, this step can feel redundant and disruptive to their flow. The core request is simple: an option to disable this UI and have changes immediately written to disk, trusting version control for any necessary reverts.

Why Advanced Users Seek a Streamlined Experience

For developers deeply integrated into Git workflows, the 'Keep'/'Undo' prompts can impede developer productivity. When the expectation is for an AI assistant to accelerate coding, an extra layer of confirmation for every change can feel like a step backward. This isn't about dismissing the utility for new users or those without version control; it's about tailoring the experience for those whose performance metrics for developers are tied to rapid iteration and seamless integration of AI-generated code.

The discussion points to a broader desire for customization in AI-powered developer tools. As these tools become more sophisticated, the ability to fine-tune their interaction models to match individual developer preferences and existing workflows becomes crucial for maximizing their impact on overall developer efficiency.

Community Echoes and a Timely Workaround

This isn't an isolated concern. The discussion thread links to similar conversations across Reddit and Stack Overflow, indicating a widespread desire for this functionality. Fortunately, the community itself provided a valuable workaround:

• The Workaround: Adjusting the chat.editing.autoAcceptDelay setting in VSCode.

By navigating to vscode://settings/chat.editing.autoAcceptDelay and setting it to a very small, non-zero value like 0.01, developers can significantly reduce the display time of the 'Keep'/'Review' UI. While not a complete removal, it offers a temporary reprieve from the constant prompts.

// In your VSCode settings.json
"chat.editing.autoAcceptDelay": 0.01

As bgrainger noted, while this workaround is effective, it's not easily discoverable and still shows the UI briefly. The ideal solution would be a native option to disable it entirely, offering a truly streamlined experience for those who prefer it.

Driving Future Developer Tools with Feedback

This discussion underscores the vital role of community feedback in shaping developer tools. As AI assistants like Copilot become more integral to our daily coding lives, the nuanced preferences of advanced users, particularly regarding workflow interruptions, are critical. Insights like these help product teams understand how to evolve their offerings to truly enhance developer efficiency, ensuring that powerful features don't inadvertently create friction for experienced users.