Abdicator approach:
"AI, review my code"
→ Accepts all suggestions
→ Ships without understanding
Captain approach:
"AI, review my code"
→ Reads each suggestion
→ Asks: "Why is this better?"
→ Learns the patterns
→ Can now catch similar issues without AI
Architect approach:
- Probing: "What's your confidence level on each file change?"
- Decomposition: "Let's break this into: API → Service → Tests → Docs"
- Verification: Test at each step, review the full picture at end
| Task | Recommended Mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Learning new tech | Captain | Growth opportunity |
| Routine maintenance | Architect | Efficiency focus |
| Critical decisions | Captain | Need full understanding |
| Data processing | Architect | Verify output, don't process |
| Debugging | Captain | Learn from AI's approach |
The key question: What did you learn?
If nothing → You were Abdicator If something → You were Captain or Architect