A three-step prompt pattern for AI code review: solve it yourself first, then compare with the PR
dotey · x · 2026-09-10
dotey shares his prompt pattern for having agents review code, in three steps: (1) first have the agent understand what problem the PR solves; (2) without looking at the implementation, have it sketch how it would solve the problem itself; (3) then read the PR and compare its own solution against the actual implementation before writing the review.
The trick forces the agent to form an independent view of the problem first, so the review becomes a solution comparison rather than line-by-line nitpicking.
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