AI usage

Yes, I used AI extensively while building ProtoTest. I used multiple models from different providers.

This is the first personal project where I have used AI this much.

Why did I use it?

I wanted to build ProtoTest. I had already built a similar testing framework by hand before the AI boom. It was worse in several ways, but I learned a lot from building and using it.

ProtoTest itself was built from scratch, but I already had the vision for most of its integrations. Some integrations are new. Others were split up or reworked because I wanted to do them better this time.

AI allowed me to work through ideas, alternatives and implementations much faster. It also helped me learn more about protocols I had less experience with.

How did I use it?

I did not just ask a model to create a testing framework and release what it generated.

I used different models because I am critical of AI output and know what it can produce without enough direction. I compared suggestions, kept setting boundaries, said no often and changed direction when something did not fit.

I wanted the speed, but I did not want AI to decide what ProtoTest became.

AI helped write code and documentation. The problems ProtoTest tries to solve, the earlier experience behind it and the direction I kept pushing it towards came from me.

Do I regret using it?

I don't know yet.

It feels strange seeing how much it sped things up, but also how easy it is to lose your own voice or let a project grow too quickly. That is one reason I am going through the documentation and public explanation again in my own words.

I maintain ProtoTest and decide what is included. If generated code is wrong, that is still my problem to understand and fix.

ProtoTest is still what I wanted to build.