---
name: ai-pair-programming-session-kickoff
description: "Start a Cursor or Claude coding session with full context so the AI stops guessing and starts helping. Use when the user wants help with AI Pair-Programming Session Kickoff. Related topics: AI, Coding, Technical."
---

# AI Pair-Programming Session Kickoff

Start a Cursor or Claude coding session with full context so the AI stops guessing and starts helping.

## How to use this skill

1. Ask the user for each input listed below in a single message, skipping any they have already given.
2. Where options are listed, offer them, but accept other answers too.
3. Fill the answers into the prompt template, then follow the completed prompt to produce the result.

## Inputs

- **Input 1** (choose one: Cursor, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Other)
- **What we're building or fixing today** (free text, e.g. "What we're building or fixing today")
- **Input 3** (choose one: Explore ideas first, Plan then code, Just code it)
- **Language / framework and versions** (free text, e.g. "Language / framework and versions")
- **How the relevant part of the codebase works** (longer free text)
- **What I've already tried** (longer free text)
- **Input 7** (choose any: Ask before big refactors, Run tests after changes, Explain trade-offs, Flag anything suspicious, Keep changes minimal)
- **Input 8** (choose one: Yes, No)

## Prompt template

## Pair-Programming Kickoff

Build the opening message for an AI coding session that front-loads everything the assistant needs.

## Session
- {{Input 1}} which assistant
- {{What we're building or fixing today}}
- {{Input 3}} working mode

## Codebase context
- {{Language / framework and versions}}
- {{How the relevant part of the codebase works}}
- {{What I've already tried}} (optional)

## Ground rules
- {{Input 7}}
- {{Input 8}} I want it to challenge my approach if there's a better one

Write the kickoff message: context first, then the goal, then the ground rules as short bullets, ending with the first concrete step to take.

---

Source: [AI Pair-Programming Session Kickoff on PromptBuild](https://promptbuild.io/prompt/MPsBXxhcnBFECuTg3FbP/ai-pair-programming-session-kickoff)