Issue with Applying AI-Generated Code Changes

[Vanuan]

Check for existing issues

• Completed

Describe the bug / provide steps to reproduce it

• Demo Example:
  Scenario: Let's say you have a simple Python function that you want to modify using Zed's AI feature:

# Original File: example.py
def greet(name):
    print("Hello, " + name)

# User wants to add a new parameter for a default greeting message

• Detailed steps

  • Open Zed Editor: Load the example.py file into Zed.
  • Use the Assistant Panel:
  • Open the assistant panel.
  • Use a slash command like /file example.py to load the file context or directly type the function into the chat.
  • Request a Modification:
    • Type in the assistant panel: Modify the greet function to accept an optional message parameter with a default value of 'Hello'. The function should use this message instead of 'Hello, '.
  • AI Response:
    • The AI responds with something like:

def greet(name, message="Hello"):
    print(message + ", " + name)

• Attempt to Apply Changes:

  • Switch to the edit window where example.py is open.
  • You need to manually copy this new function definition into example.py.

• Steps to Reproduce:

  1. Open Zed and load a file with a simple function as above.
  2. Use the assistant panel to request a modification to the function.
  3. Note the AI's response in the chat panel.
  4. Try to apply these changes back to the original file in the edit window.

• Expected Behavior:

  • There should be an easy way to apply changes (like an apply button or automatic context-aware application).
  • The new function should replace the old one with a diff view for confirmation.
  • All changes should be ready to run without manual adjustments for basic scenarios.

• Actual Behavior:

  • Manual copying of code is required.
  • The old function remains in the file unless manually deleted.
  • The application of changes feels disjointed and not at the "speed of thought" as advertised.

Zed Version and System Specs

Zed: v0.169.0 (Zed Preview)
OS: Linux X11 ubuntu 22.04
Memory: 31 GiB
Architecture: x86_64
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with Max-Q Design || NVIDIA || 535.183.01

If applicable, add screenshots or screencasts of the incorrect state / behavior

If applicable, attach your Zed.log file to this issue.

No response

[Vanuan]

So there are 3 key issues with Zed's AI assistance:

1. No chat-based code application unlike Cursor - must manually apply changes
2. Inline assist only handles single-line changes
3. Selection workflow is unclear - "Transform" feature requires selecting text first with no visual indication

The screenshot shows where inline assistance could help but doesn't:

When explicitly asked about transformations, Zed incorrectly claims to have the capability:

For comparison, Bolt.new can apply diffs directly from chat and provides minimal diff outputs to reduce tokens.

[Cheirnomus]

Thanks for clarifying these fundamental limits to Zed's use of AI. Seeing that this type of issue is still at large prompts me to agree and also point out a related issue, where a more robust but still standard usage of AI is expected.

#21259