GPT Pilot: an AI tool to assist developers in building applications for production environments

GPT Pilot is an open source AI development tool, developed by the Pythagora team, designed to help developers throughout the development process from idea to production environment application. It interacts with users to generate code step-by-step, debug issues, and support building fully functional applications. Based on the Large Language Model (LLM), the tool generates front-end and back-end code based on user requirements and provides real-time feedback and debugging support.GPT Pilot emphasizes collaboration with developers and is suitable for scenarios that require rapid development of complex applications. It has been starred over 32,000 times on GitHub, demonstrating widespread community acceptance. GPT Pilot is easy to use from the command line or with VS Code extensions, and supports SQLite and PostgreSQL databases.

Function List

• Application Generation: Automatically generate front-end and back-end code based on the application description entered by the user, supporting development from simple applications to complex systems.
• code debugging: Built-in Debugger agent that automatically detects code problems and suggests fixes.
• Document Generation: Generate detailed development documentation for your project automatically through the Technical Writer agent.
• user interaction: Gather user feedback through dialog to redirect code and ensure that the application meets requirements.
• Database support: SQLite is used by default, PostgreSQL is supported, and the database is switched via a configuration file.
• command-line operation: Provides CLI tools to support project management, code generation and deletion.
• VS Code Extensions: Provide integrated development environment plug-ins to simplify the operation process.
• code analysis: Support for analyzing existing GitHub repository code, generating code descriptions and answering related questions.

Using Help

Installation process

To use GPT Pilot, users need to install Python 3.8 or above and make sure they have a Git environment. Here are the detailed installation steps:

1. clone warehouse::
   Open a terminal and run the following command to clone the GPT Pilot repository:

   git clone https://github.com/Pythagora-io/gpt-pilot.git
   

   Once the cloning is complete, go to the project directory:

   cd gpt-pilot
   

2. Installation of dependencies::
   Run the following command to install the necessary Python dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt
   

   If you need to use a PostgreSQL database, you will need to install additional dependencies:

   pip install asyncpg psycopg2
   

3. Configuration environment::
   GPT Pilot requires API keys for large language models (OpenAI, Anthropic or Groq supported). Users need to set the API key in an environment variable, or in the configuration file config.json in the project root directory. The configuration file path is located in the project root directory and has the following format:

   {
   "llm_provider": "openai",
   "api_key": "<your-api-key>",
   "db": {
   "url": "sqlite:///path/to/database.db"
   }
   }
   

   If you are using PostgreSQL, modify the db.url For:

   postgresql+asyncpg://<user>:<password>@<db-host>/<db-name>
   

4. Run GPT Pilot::
   Run the following command in the terminal to start the tool:

   python pilot.py
   

   Upon startup, the tool will prompt for an application name and description. Based on the description, GPT Pilot will generate the initial code structure.

5. VS Code Extension Installation(Optional):
   Search for the "GPT Pilot" extension in VS Code and install it. Once installed, log in to the extension and enter the API key. The extension provides a graphical interface that simplifies project creation and code management.

Main Functions

1. Creating new applications

After launching GPT Pilot, enter the application name and a detailed description. For example, if you want to develop a social platform similar to Reddit, the description could be: "A social platform that allows users to post, comment, and like, using React on the front-end, and Node.js and Express on the back-end." GPT Pilot generates a project structure based on the description, which includes the front-end files, backend APIs, and database schema.

The user can enter a description via the command line or the VS Code extension. The tool generates the code and asks whether to continue or adjust it. Example:

• After entering a description, GPT Pilot generates the front-end page code.
• The user looks at the code and confirms that it meets the requirements.
• If adjustments are needed, users provide feedback, such as "change button color to blue" or "add user login".

2. Code debugging

When a problem occurs in the code, the Debugger agent runs automatically, analyzes the error and suggests a fix. For example, if the back-end API returns a 500 error, Debugger examines the logs, locates the problem (e.g., a database connection error), and generates repair code. Users can choose to accept the fix or modify it manually.

3. Documentation generation

The Technical Writer agent generates documentation for the project, containing code structure, API descriptions and usage guidelines. The documentation is stored in the docs folder. The user can run the following command to generate the document:

python pilot.py --generate-docs

4. Analysis of existing code

GPT Pilot supports analyzing GitHub repository code. Users enter a repository URL and the tool crawls the code, generates a description and answers questions. For example:

• importation https://github.com/example/repoThe
• The tool analyzes the code and generates the description, "This repository is a Flask-based blogging system."
• The user can ask: "How is the login function implemented in this repository?" The tool will parse the code and answer.

5. Project management

Users can manage projects from the command line. For example, deleting projects:

python pilot.py --delete-project <app_id>

View all commands:

python pilot.py --help

Featured Function Operation

interactive development

The core feature of GPT Pilot is interaction with the user. Each time code is generated, the tool asks for feedback. For example, after generating a login page, the tool displays the code and asks, "Did the page layout work as expected? What features need to be added?" When the user answers, the tool adjusts the code until it meets the requirements.

Support for complex applications

GPT Pilot develops complex applications such as EchoSphere (a Reddit-like social platform with about 5000 lines of code). It ensures maintainable code through step-by-step development (front-end, back-end, database). For example, when developing EchoSphere:

• Mr. Seng front end React Component.
• Redevelopment of the back-end API to support posting and commenting.
• Finally the database is configured to store the user data.

Database flexibility

SQLite is used by default for fast development. If PostgreSQL is required, users need to modify the config.json and ensure that the database service is running. The tool automatically generates the database schema and migration scripts.

application scenario

1. Rapid Prototyping
   If a developer has an idea for an application but lacks the time to realize it, GPT Pilot can quickly generate prototype code based on the description. For example, if an entrepreneur wants to develop a task management application, he only needs to provide a functional description, and the tool can generate the front-end interface and back-end API, saving development time.
2. Learning and experimentation
   Programming beginners can learn code structure with GPT Pilot. The tool generates code with documentation that explains the functionality of each module. For example, students can type "a simple to-do list app" and learn how React and Node.js are implemented.
3. Code analysis and maintenance
   Teams need to understand the code in existing GitHub repositories, and GPT Pilot analyzes the code and answers questions to help developers get up to speed quickly. For example, when taking on a legacy project, the tool parses the code and generates API documentation.
4. Application development for production environments
   Enterprises need to develop deployable applications quickly.GPT Pilot supports the generation of out-of-the-box code for production environments, including debugging and documentation, and is suitable for small teams developing complex systems.

QA

1. Does GPT Pilot require programming experience?
   Basic programming knowledge is required to provide accurate descriptions and feedback. The tool generates code, but the user needs to understand the code logic in order to redirect it.
2. What programming languages and frameworks are supported?
   Support for mainstream languages and frameworks such as Python, JavaScript, React, Node.js, etc. Users can specify the technology stack in the description.
3. How do you handle code errors?
   The Debugger agent automatically detects errors and suggests fixes. The user can accept the suggestions or modify the code manually.
4. Does it support existing programs?
   Direct import of existing projects is not currently supported, but there are plans to add this feature. Users can analyze existing code and integrate manually.
5. Free to use or paid?
   GPT Pilot is an open source free tool, but requires the user to provide an API key for LLM and may incur API call charges.