Assistants are powerful, but you’re still accountable. These cut rework and risk.
1. Small commits / PRs
Scope changes to something one PR can digest; split big refactors into runnable, revertible steps.
2. Auto‑generated code needs a verification path
Spell out manual checks or tests—inputs, expected outputs, edge cases. Don’t merge “trust me” diffs.
3. Sensitive files off‑limits by default
Keys, cert paths, prod configs—templates or placeholders locally, real secrets never committed.
4. Dependency upgrades on their own PR
Don’t mix feature work with major bumps—bisecting breaks becomes impossible.
5. Humans still review for architecture
Models excel at boilerplate; naming and structure still deserve a teammate skim.
Habits beat picking “the best editor.”