Buddy programming is a way to get the benefits of another developer’s guidance and feedback while working on code. The term can mean continuous pair programming, or solo work with planned check-ins and code review. For onboarding, it usually means pairing a new engineer with an experienced teammate for real, manageable work—then adjusting the amount of pairing to the person and task.
What is buddy programming?
There is no single definition used by every team. In one common usage, buddy programming is another name for pair programming: two developers collaborate on the same work, often with one driving and the other observing, questioning, and suggesting. Risk First describes that model and its driver and navigator roles (Risk First).
Other approaches use “buddy programming” for work that is mostly solo but includes active partner contact. Harvey Mudd College uses the term for solo programming in which partners stay engaged as they work; its teaching guidance suggests making the transition explicit, such as saying, “In 30 minutes we’ll switch to buddy programming” (Harvey Mudd College). In Beyond Legacy Code, O’Reilly describes developers working independently for most of the day and using the final hour to review each other’s work (O’Reilly).
So the useful question is not whether one definition is correct, but how much collaboration the team intends: working together continuously, checking in during solo work, or combining the two.
#1 Best Overall
How buddy programming differs from pair programming
Pair programming typically means two people collaborating on the same task at the same time. Buddy programming can mean that, but it can also describe a looser arrangement with separate work and scheduled feedback. The distinction is in the way a team uses the term, rather than a universal rule.
| Aspect | Continuous pairing | Buddy review or hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Two developers work together through much of a task. | Developers work independently for a planned block, then review or discuss work together. |
| Interaction | Usually a shared workstation or remote shared environment. | Separate work followed by a review or check-in; a team may also add short pairing sessions. |
| Roles | One person may drive while the other observes and suggests; switch roles regularly. | Discussion and review are shared, without requiring fixed driver and navigator roles. |
| Cadence | During a pairing session or task. | At scheduled intervals, such as daily or weekly, or by task or iteration. |
| Typical uses | Onboarding, teaching, debugging, and collaborative delivery. | Feedback on solo work, review, and maintaining contact while preserving focus time. |
A team can choose one model or mix them. For example, two developers might pair on a new or unfamiliar task, then work separately and meet to review changes. Be clear about the handoff and when partners are expected to engage.
How to use a programming buddy for onboarding
A buddy helps a new engineer learn the codebase and team practices by doing real work with someone who can explain context as it arises. Thoughtworks recommends moving a new hire quickly into pair programming on real functionality; its guidance connects that practice with knowledge transfer, quality and code-style norms, trust, and collective ownership (Thoughtworks onboarding guidance). GitLab recommends pairing on a new engineer’s first few merge requests, so they can learn the workflow and get feedback without first having to absorb all the documentation (GitLab).
- Choose a buddy with relevant context and capacity. Assign someone familiar with the team or domain who has time to answer questions and work together. Keep a clear primary contact, even if the new hire also meets other teammates.
- Prepare a small, low-risk task. Before the first session, arrange access to the needed systems and development tools, and select work that can be understood without putting a critical change at risk. CodePath’s onboarding guide recommends low-risk shared tasks and an experienced engineering buddy (CodePath, October 13, 2023).
- Start with a bounded coding session. CodePath recommends setting aside at least 30 minutes for the newcomer and buddy to write code together. Treat that as practical guidance, not a universal minimum for every team or task.
- Let the new hire drive when the aim is learning. Ask them to explain their reasoning as they work. The buddy can prompt, describe local conventions, and give feedback in real time without taking over the keyboard or making every decision.
- Review the first changes together. Walk through the first changes or merge requests, including workflow choices and feedback. Connect the code review to how the team expects work to be tested and delivered.
- Pair on the first deployment when practical. Thoughtworks recommends pairing during a new hire’s first deployment. The session can reveal setup or pipeline friction while showing how the team deploys.
- Adjust the mix of pairing and solo work. Check in regularly about what is helping. GitLab advises tailoring the balance to the individual rather than prescribing one fixed amount of pairing (GitLab); CodePath also recommends feedback and adjustment during onboarding.
What should a buddy-programming session look like?
Set a goal, agree on how you will work together, and finish with a clear next step. The agenda should fit whether the session involves continuous pairing or review after solo work.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor a live pairing session
- State the goal and the task’s boundaries before coding.
- Agree who will drive and who will observe, question, and suggest. Switch roles regularly so both people contribute.
- Have the learner explain their reasoning when the purpose is onboarding or teaching; use questions and explanations rather than taking over.
- Pause to clarify unfamiliar conventions, tools, or decisions instead of silently changing direction.
- End by identifying what was learned, what remains, and who owns the next action.
For solo work with a buddy review
- Agree in advance on a review time and what the buddy should look at.
- Work separately during the focus block, then examine each other’s changes and discuss questions or feedback.
- Decide whether another check-in or a different buddy would help. Teams may rotate buddies daily, weekly, by task, or by iteration while keeping a primary contact where needed.
Benefits and trade-offs
Buddy programming can speed knowledge transfer, expose team conventions as they are used, and give developers immediate feedback. In onboarding, working together can help build relationships and psychological safety; shared work can also reinforce collective ownership. Pairing on an early deployment can surface setup and pipeline problems in context.
The practice also takes coordination. Continuous pairing may reduce uninterrupted focus time, and some people prefer more autonomy. A regular review block or hybrid approach can preserve solo time while keeping feedback in the workflow. Make the cadence and handoff explicit, then adjust them based on feedback rather than treating continuous pairing as mandatory.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
