Ask Devin Overview

Ask Devin is your AI assistant’s window into your codebase. Once you’ve added a repository to Devin, it is automatically indexed so Devin can understand and reason about your code. With Ask Devin, you can:can:

  • Ask detailed questions about how your code works
  • Explore architecture, dependencies, and key functions
  • Work with Devin to scope and plan tasks before implementation
  • Let Devin generate its own context-rich prompt based on what it learns

Whether you’re onboarding to a new repo, planning a feature, or exploring unfamiliar parts of the codebase, Ask Devin gives you a fast and reliable way to work with your code using natural language.

To get the most out of Devin, follow this workflow:

1. Add Your Repository to Devin

After connecting your GitHub, GitLab, or other source code provider, add your repository to Devin. This gives Devin access to your codebase.

Add any repo to Devin’s machine after git permissions have been granted

2. Devin Automatically Indexes Your Code

Once added, Devin begins indexing your codebase in the background. This enables powerful tools like Devin Wiki and Ask Devin, giving you immediate insight into your code.

Devin will automatically index every repo added to its machine.

3. Use Ask Devin to Explore and Plan

Go to Ask Devin to:

  • Ask technical questions about your code
  • Understand how specific parts of your system work
  • Collaborate with Devin to plan projects or break down tasks
  • Let Devin create a context-aware prompt based on what it finds

Ask Devin any question you have about your repo.


Devin will answer your question in natural language and with diagrams, always grounded and cited with your own codebase.

4. Start a Session from Ask Devin

Once you’ve used Ask Devin to understand the code and clarify your goal, you can start a session directly from the search interface. This is the best way to initiate work with Devin because:e:

  • Devin starts with clear context from your search
  • The prompt is automatically tailored to your task and codebase
  • You’re more likely to get successful, relevant results

Simply tell Devin your task to be completed, and hit Cmd+Enter to auto-generate a prompt.


Devin will automatically write a high quality, context rich prompt, based on the entire context of the Ask Devin session

5. (Optional) If You’re Using Jira or Linear

This same workflow applies when working through the Jira or Linear integrations:

  • Tag Devin on a ticket
  • Devin will analyze the task, search the codebase, and plan its approach
  • It will generate a high-quality session prompt for you automatically

This gives you the same high-context, high-success experience—without leaving your existing task management flow.

Tag Devin on a Jira ticket to automatically trigger search, planning, and session creation.


Tag Devin on a Linear ticket to automatically trigger search, planning, and session creation.