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Using AI to jump-start code samples

by Tom Johnson on Sep 29, 2024
categories: technical-writing • ai

In this article, I provide a strategy for one of the most challenging topics in prompt engineering with docs: using AI to help with code samples. At the extreme end, this could mean using AI to generate code samples from documentation; at the other end, it could mean describing code that’s already been written. My approach is more of a hybrid between the two. After describing a typical scenario, I explore the difference between test code and application code and why engineers are reluctant to provide code samples in documentation.

Read the post here: Using AI to jump-start code samples.

About Tom Johnson

Tom Johnson

I'm an API technical writer based in the Seattle area. On this blog, I write about topics related to technical writing and communication — such as software documentation, API documentation, AI, information architecture, content strategy, writing processes, agent skills, tech comm careers, and more. Check out my AI courses for more on the latest in AI and tech comm. If you're looking for info about documenting APIs, see my API documentation course.

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Finally, I want to note a couple of things. I usually write the first drafts of my posts myself and then use AI to improve accuracy, clarity, and detail in places, so my writing is a mix of human and AI. (Hopefully that's not too off-putting.) Also, the opinions I express on my blog are my own perspectives, not those of my employer.

© 2026 Tom Johnson