From Prompt to Pull Request: Human-led, AI-assisted workflows for building Drupal features
Time: Wednesday 13th May 11:40-12:10
Room: Te Aro
Track: Drupal Development
AI tools are everywhere - but despite the hype, they are neither autonomous builders nor replacements for experienced developers.
In this talk, we’ll look at a realistic, production-tested workflow where developers stay firmly in control, and AI agents act as fast, tireless implementers of clearly defined ideas.
Using real examples from consumer-facing Drupal sites, we’ll walk through a feature development lifecycle that starts with human planning and ends with tested, reviewable code. This includes:
- Planning features before prompting
- Using AI agents (including cloud-based code agents) to implement scoped tasks
- Generating tests, wiring integrations, and linking code - without skipping engineering fundamentals
- Reviewing, refining, and owning the final outcome as a developer
Rather than treating AI as a magic button, this session shows how to use it as a force multiplier: accelerating delivery while preserving code quality, architectural intent, and developer accountability.
Attendees will leave with a clear mental model for where AI fits into modern Drupal development - and where it absolutely does not.
In this talk, we’ll look at a realistic, production-tested workflow where developers stay firmly in control, and AI agents act as fast, tireless implementers of clearly defined ideas.
Using real examples from consumer-facing Drupal sites, we’ll walk through a feature development lifecycle that starts with human planning and ends with tested, reviewable code. This includes:
- Planning features before prompting
- Using AI agents (including cloud-based code agents) to implement scoped tasks
- Generating tests, wiring integrations, and linking code - without skipping engineering fundamentals
- Reviewing, refining, and owning the final outcome as a developer
Rather than treating AI as a magic button, this session shows how to use it as a force multiplier: accelerating delivery while preserving code quality, architectural intent, and developer accountability.
Attendees will leave with a clear mental model for where AI fits into modern Drupal development - and where it absolutely does not.
Speakers
Alex Skrypnyk
With over 15 years of experience in Drupal, I specialise in architecting and developing Drupal sites and solutions. I maintain and utilise a suite of open-source tools that streamline development and enhance project delivery.
I designed and led the implementation of the CivicTheme design system, contributed significantly to the architecture of the GovCMS 2.0 and Tide/Ripple/Bay platforms, and maintain the Vortex project template for Drupal.
As a strong advocate for automated testing, open-source technologies, and DevOps practices, I am passionate about improving the developer experience and enabling streamlined, high-quality project delivery.
I designed and led the implementation of the CivicTheme design system, contributed significantly to the architecture of the GovCMS 2.0 and Tide/Ripple/Bay platforms, and maintain the Vortex project template for Drupal.
As a strong advocate for automated testing, open-source technologies, and DevOps practices, I am passionate about improving the developer experience and enabling streamlined, high-quality project delivery.