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    AI Coding Dictionary

    The vocabulary of AI coding, translated into plain English.

    AI coding can feel like it is just for experts. The basic terms of engagement are learnable in an afternoon. Once you have them, the whole thing stops feeling like guesswork.

    Browse 60 terms

    Plain-English reference

    Skimmable definitions for the terms that make AI coding click.

    Section 1 — The Model14 termsSection 2 — Sessions, Context Windows & Turns8 termsSection 3 — Tools & Environment9 termsSection 4 — Failure Modes9 terms

    Section 1 — The Model

    14 terms
    1. Model
    2. Parameters
    3. Training
    4. Inference
    5. Token
    6. Next-token prediction
    7. Non-determinism
    8. Model provider
    9. Harness
    10. Model provider request
    11. Input tokens
    12. Output tokens
    13. Prefix cache
    14. Cache tokens

    Section 2 — Sessions, Context Windows & Turns

    8 terms
    1. Stateless
    2. Context
    3. Context window
    4. Stateful
    5. Agent
    6. System prompt
    7. Session
    8. Turn

    Section 3 — Tools & Environment

    9 terms
    1. Environment
    2. Filesystem
    3. Tool
    4. Tool call
    5. Tool result
    6. Permission request
    7. Permission mode
    8. Agent mode
    9. Sandbox

    Section 4 — Failure Modes

    9 terms
    1. Sycophancy
    2. Hallucination
    3. Parametric knowledge
    4. Knowledge cutoff
    5. Contextual knowledge
    6. Attention relationship
    7. Attention budget
    8. Attention degradation
    9. Smart zone

    Section 5 — Handoffs

    7 terms
    1. Clearing
    2. Handoff
    3. Handoff artifact
    4. Spec
    5. Ticket
    6. Compaction
    7. Autocompact

    Section 6 — Memory and Steering

    5 terms
    1. Memory system
    2. AGENTS.md
    3. Progressive disclosure
    4. Skill
    5. Subagent

    Section 7 — Patterns of Work

    8 terms
    1. Human-in-the-loop
    2. AFK
    3. Automated check
    4. Automated review
    5. Human review
    6. Vibe coding
    7. Design concept
    8. Grilling

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