James Montemagno and Kai Maetzel provide a close look at how the VS Code engineering team uses AI and agent-based workflows in their DevOps processes, sharing practical lessons for Microsoft developers.

Building Agent-Based Workflows in VS Code: Insights from Kai Maetzel

In this closing session from Agent Sessions Day, James Montemagno sits down with Kai Maetzel, engineering lead for Visual Studio Code. They discuss the real-world integration of AI and agent-based architectures in Microsoft’s flagship code editor team.

Key Discussion Points

• From Pipelines to Actor-Based Workflows:

  • The team describes their transition from classic software development pipelines to actor-based workflows, enabling more granular automation and flexibility.
  • Actor models allow independent agents to handle specialized tasks, improving the ability to scale and adapt workflows rapidly.

• Leveraging Multiple Models for Multiple Jobs:

  • VS Code’s engineering team employs different AI models for distinct tasks within their process, selecting the best-fit model depending on requirements.
  • This modular approach supports experimentation and incremental improvement.

• Rapid Prototyping at Scale:

  • Kai emphasizes his hands-on strategy for prototyping new workflows and features quickly, using agents as testbeds.
  • Fast cycles help isolate problems and speed up learning within the team.

• AI-Driven Evolution of Engineering Practices:

  • The integration of AI is not just about productivity but also fundamentally changes how the VS Code team collaborates and delivers value.
  • The team is adopting AI-driven automation and decision-making to streamline DevOps and coding practices.

Resources

• VS Code Agent Sessions
• VS Code Insiders
• VS Code Live
• Agent Sessions Blog
• Awesome Copilot

Practical Takeaways

• Embracing actor-based patterns and automation can enhance development velocity and resilience.
• Experimenting with multiple models and rapid prototyping leads to faster innovation.
• AI adoption within Microsoft’s engineering ecosystem is accompanied by shifts in process and culture.

About the Speakers

• James Montemagno: Microsoft developer advocate and host for Agent Sessions Day.
• Kai Maetzel: Engineering lead, Visual Studio Code, known for a hands-on, experimental approach to AI workflow integration.