The latest articles on DEV Community by asem ahmed (@asem_ahmed_84f1af93d6326a). https://dev.to/asem_ahmed_84f1af93d6326a https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4242790%2F20435239-7641-41b1-aa14-df29478df147.png https://dev.to/asem_ahmed_84f1af93d6326a en asem ahmed Fri, 13 Nov 2026 13:51:05 +0000 https://dev.to/asem_ahmed_84f1af93d6326a/building-a-shared-whiteboard-for-ai-coding-agents-g93 https://dev.to/asem_ahmed_84f1af93d6326a/building-a-shared-whiteboard-for-ai-coding-agents-g93 <p>Coding agents can make progress quickly, but the plan is often buried in a conversation. After a long run, it can take work to reconstruct which steps are complete, which decisions changed, and where human review is needed.</p> <p>OpenBoard explores a different interface: a shared canvas that both the developer and the agent can read and update. It does not replace the coding agent. It gives the agent and its user a persistent place to work together.</p> <h2> What the board adds </h2> <p>An agent can map a repository, lay out a feature plan, or add questions and risks alongside tasks. A person can select cards to give context, leave comments, and accept or reject proposed changes. For multiple agents, claims and activity indicators help make ongoing work visible.</p> <p>The board lives in the project as JSON, so it can be inspected and versioned. The default setup is local. An optional shared mode lets other people and agents connect using invitation links and roles.</p> <h2> How an agent connects </h2> <p>OpenBoard exposes its board operations through MCP. Its tools support reading an outline or a selected part of a board, applying validated operations, commenting, asking questions, and tracking changes. Agent clients such as Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex can connect through their MCP configuration.</p> <p>The repository includes client-specific integration instructions and a generic setup. To try the current pre-release, clone the repository and follow the README. You need Node.js 22 or newer; the project is not yet published to a package registry.</p> <h2> What I'd like feedback on </h2> <p>I'm interested in whether a visual plan helps in real multi-step work: does it make review easier, or does the overhead outweigh the benefit? Which parts of the setup or the agent interaction should be simpler?</p> <p>Repository and setup instructions: <a href="https://github.com/asasemahmed/openboard" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://github.com/asasemahmed/openboard</a></p> <p>OpenBoard is source-available under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0. Personal and other noncommercial use is permitted; commercial use requires a separate license.</p> agents ai coding softwaredevelopment