PA

pair-programming

Facilitates collaborative AI-assisted pair programming sessions with integrated testing and quality monitoring.

Install

mkdir -p .claude/skills/pair-programming && curl -L -o skill.zip "https://agentskills.codes/api/skills/download/503" && unzip -o skill.zip -d .claude/skills/pair-programming && rm skill.zip

Installs to .claude/skills/pair-programming

Activation

This is the description your AI agent reads to decide when to run this skill — the better it matches your request, the more reliably it fires.

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.
345 charsno explicit “when” triggerlonger than Claude Code's old 250-char listing cap (fine on current versions)
Advanced

Key capabilities

  • Manage driver and navigator roles
  • Perform real-time code reviews
  • Execute test-driven development workflows
  • Generate security and performance analysis
  • Track session productivity metrics

How it works

It manages a collaborative session between a developer and an AI agent, using specific modes and commands to verify code quality and automate testing.

Inputs & outputs

You give it
Codebase and task description
You get back
Verified code changes and quality reports

When to use pair-programming

  • Pair programming with AI
  • Test-driven development (TDD) sessions
  • Conducting code reviews for quality

About this skill

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

/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
  Prepare role handoff

Command Shortcuts

AliasFull Command
/s/suggest
/e/explain
/t/test
/r/review
/c/commit
/g/goto
/f/find
/h/help
/sw/switch
/st/status

Configuration

Basic Configuration

Create .claude-flow/pair-config.json:

{
  "pair": {
    "enabled": true,
    "defaultMode": "switch",
    "defaultAgent": "auto",
    "autoStart": false,
    "theme": "professional"
  }
}

Complete Configuration

{
  "pair": {
    "general": {
      "enabled": true,
      "defaultMode": "switch",
      "defaultAgent": "senior-dev",
      "language": "javascript",
      "timezone": "UTC"
    },

    "modes": {
      "driver": {
        "enabled": true,
        "suggestions": true,
        "realTimeReview": true,
        "autoComplete": false
      },
      "navigator": {
        "enabled": true,
        "codeGeneration": true,
        "explanations": true,
        "alternatives": true
      },
      "switch": {
        "enabled": true,
        "interval": "10m",
        "warning": "30s",
        "autoSwitch": true,
        "pauseOnIdle": true
      }
    },

    "verification": {
      "enabled": true,
      "threshold": 0.95,
      "autoRollback": true,
      "preCommitCheck": true,
      "continuousMonitoring": true,
      "blockOnFailure": true
    },

    "testing": {
      "enabled": true,
      "autoRun": true,
      "framework": "jest",
      "onSave": true,
      "coverage": {
        "enabled": true,
        "minimum": 80,
        "enforce": true,
        "reportFormat": "html"
      }
    },

    "review": {
      "enabled": true,
      "continuous": true,
      "preCommit": true,
      "security": true,
      "performance": true,
      "style": true,
      "complexity": {
        "maxComplexity": 10,
        "maxDepth": 4,
        "maxLines": 100
      }
    },

    "git": {
      "ena

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When not to use it

  • Solo coding without AI assistance
  • Non-collaborative documentation tasks

Prerequisites

Claude Flow CLIGit repository

Limitations

  • Requires Claude Flow CLI
  • Performance depends on AI model capabilities

How it compares

It formalizes the pair programming process with automated role switching and real-time truth-score verification.

Compared to similar skills

pair-programming side by side with the closest alternatives in the catalog.

SkillInstallsUpdatedSafetyDifficulty
pair-programming (this skill)69moReviewAdvanced
python-testing-patterns772moReviewIntermediate
dependency-upgrade265moReviewIntermediate
test-cases577moNo flagsBeginner

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