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How to Use AI as a Rubber Duck That Actually Pushes Back

DEV Community·Tal Vardi·26 days ago
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Rubber duck debugging works because explaining a problem forces you to think clearly. AI can do the same thing — but better, because it asks follow-up questions. Here's a workflow I use when I'm stuck on a design decision or a gnarly bug. Takes about 10 minutes and consistently gets me unstuck. Step 1: Dump your context, not your question Most people open ChatGPT and ask "how do I fix X?" That's too narrow. Instead, give full context first: I'm working on [system/feature]. Here's what I'm trying to accomplish: [goal]. Here's what I've tried: [approach 1], [approach 2]. Here's where I'm stuck: [specific blocker]. Don't give me a solution yet. Ask me clarifying questions until you understand the problem fully. Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode That last line is the key. Forcing the model to interrogate you before answering surfaces assumptions you didn't know you were making.…

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