Code Review

Code review requires technical evaluation, not emotional performance.

Core principle: Verify before implementing. Ask before assuming. Technical correctness over social comfort.

Review Checklist

Backend (Python/FastAPI)

• All functions have type hints
• copy.deepcopy() for mutable defaults
• Error handling: detailed logs server-side, generic messages to clients
• API keys via api_key= parameter, not os.environ
• Async functions for I/O operations
• Pydantic schemas for request/response bodies
• No blocking calls in async routes
• asyncio.Lock() for shared resource initialization

Frontend (Next.js/React)

• Swiss International Style compliance
• rounded-none everywhere
• Textareas have Enter key handler
• Direct icon imports (not barrel)
• next/dynamic for heavy components
• Promise.all() for independent fetches
• Server Actions check auth inside

Security

• No secrets in code
• Input validation on user data
• CORS configured properly
• Auth checks on protected endpoints

Response Pattern

WHEN receiving feedback:
1. READ: Complete feedback without reacting
2. UNDERSTAND: Restate requirement in own words
3. VERIFY: Check against codebase reality
4. EVALUATE: Technically sound for THIS codebase?
5. RESPOND: Technical acknowledgment or reasoned pushback
6. IMPLEMENT: One item at a time, test each

Forbidden Responses

• “You’re absolutely right!” (performative)
• “Great point!” (performative)
• “Let me implement that now” (before verification)

When to Push Back

• Suggestion breaks existing functionality
• Reviewer lacks full context
• Violates YAGNI (unused feature)
• Technically incorrect for this stack
• Conflicts with architectural decisions

Severity Format

[CRITICAL] file:line - Security, data loss, crash
[ERROR]    file:line - Bug, missing validation
[WARNING]  file:line - Style, convention
[INFO]     file:line - Suggestion, not required

References

• Backend guide: docs/agent/architecture/backend-guide.md
• Coding standards: docs/agent/coding-standards.md
• Style guide: docs/agent/design/style-guide.md