How to Use Devin

Getting started with Devin

In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up Devin, create your first coding project, and optimise your experience with this AI software engineer. After reading, you’ll be able to get Devin to handle coding tasks effectively.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to Cognition's website.
2. Click on the “Get Started” button in the top right corner.
3. Fill in your details to create an account. You may need to provide payment information, as Devin starts at $500/month for teams.
4. Once signed up, log in to your account.

Step 2: Your first project

1. After logging in, click on the “New Project” button on the dashboard.
2. Give your project a name and select the programming language you wish to use from the dropdown menu.
3. Click “Create Project” to open the project workspace.
4. In the workspace, use the “Ask Devin” input box to describe what you want to be coded. For example, type “Create a simple to-do list application.”
5. Click the “Run” button to let Devin generate the code.
6. After a few moments, review the code Devin provides. If it looks good, click “Deploy” to run the application.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Be specific with your prompts. Instead of saying “Create an app,” say “Create a to-do list app with features to add, delete, and mark tasks as complete.”
2. Use the “Debug” button if Devin generates errors. This will help you identify and fix issues in the code.
3. Regularly save your project by clicking the “Save” button in the top menu to avoid losing any progress.

Pro tip

Use the “Version Control” feature to track changes made to your project. This allows you to revert to previous versions if something goes wrong, saving you time in debugging.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid vague prompts when asking Devin to code. General requests can lead to incomplete or irrelevant results. Always provide clear and detailed instructions for the best outcomes.