Inline AI Editor

The inline editor is a powerful feature that allows you to make targeted changes to your code directly within the papertlab interface. This document explains how to use the inline editor effectively.

How to Use the Inline Editor

1. Select Code: In the main editor, select the block of code you want to modify.

2. Initiate Inline Edit: Press Ctrl+I (or Cmd+I on Mac) to open the inline edit dialog.

3. Describe Changes: In the dialog that appears, describe the changes you want to make to the selected code. Be as specific as possible.

4. Review Suggested Changes: The AI will analyze your request and present a diff view showing the

5. Accept or Reject Changes:

   • Click "Accept" to apply the changes to your code.

   • Click "Reject" to discard the changes and return to the main editor.

Best Practices

1. Be Specific: When describing desired changes, be as clear and specific as possible. For example, instead of "make this better", say "replace the for loop with a list comprehension".

2. Review Carefully: Always review the suggested changes carefully before accepting them. The AI is a tool to assist you, not replace your judgment.

3. Start Small: For complex changes, it's often better to make several small, focused edits rather than trying to change everything at once.

4. Maintain Context: The inline editor works best when it has full context. Try to select complete functions or logical blocks of code when making edits.

Tips and Tricks

• Multiple Changes: You can request multiple changes in a single edit. For example, "Rename the variable 'x' to 'total' and add error handling to the division operation."

• Formatting: The inline editor will attempt to maintain the original code formatting. If you need to change the formatting, make that part of your request.

• Comments: You can ask the inline editor to add, modify, or remove comments in your code.

• Refactoring: Use the inline editor for quick refactoring tasks like renaming variables, extracting methods, or simplifying complex expressions.

Troubleshooting

• No Changes Applied: If you accept changes but don't see them reflected in your code, check the console for any error messages. There might be issues with file permissions or the exact matching of the code block.

• Unexpected Changes: If the changes are not what you expected, simply reject them and try again with a more specific description of what you want to change.

• Performance Issues: For very large files or complex changes, the inline editor might take a moment to process. Be patient, and if issues persist, try breaking your changes into smaller steps.

Limitations

• The inline editor works on a single file at a time. For changes across multiple files, you'll need to use it multiple times.

• While powerful, the AI is not perfect. Always review suggested changes for correctness and unintended side effects.

• The inline editor requires an active internet connection to function, as it relies on AI services.

Feedback and Support

If you encounter any issues or have suggestions for improving the inline editor, please open an issue on our GitHub repository or contact our support team.

Remember, the inline editor is a tool to enhance your productivity, not replace your expertise. Use it wisely, and happy coding!