When a coding agent can edit multiple files, run commands, or open a pull request, choosing an editor is only part of the problem. The team also needs to know which requirements the agent should follow, what it may change, who approves the result, and where delivery status is recorded.

A practical way to evaluate these tools is to trace one representative task through the whole workflow: from a requirement or issue, through agent-assisted work, to review and delivery status. Choose tools based on where that work needs context and control—not only on how well they generate code.

Start by defining the workflow boundary

First decide what you want an agent to do. The boundary might be a code suggestion in an IDE, a multi-file change, work on a GitHub issue that ends in a pull request, or a prototype that is built and hosted in one environment.…