As agents generate large multi-file diffs, review becomes the bottleneck. Inline explanations of each change aim to reduce rubber-stamp approvals by keeping explanation next to the code.
Key takeaways · AI-distilled
After a task with file changes, Explain Changes opens the multi-file diff with explanations streamed in as inline comments at each change. Because Cline has the task conversation, the comments cover why decisions were made, not only what the code does.
Each inline comment has a reply thread for follow-up questions, and clicking the thread title moves the whole discussion into Cline's main chat so it can act on it.
The /explain-changes command works on any git diff, including commits, branches, tags, PRs, staged changes or the working directory. PRs need the GitHub CLI, and the button workflow needs Checkpoints enabled.
Cline cites research that developers spend 58-70% of their time on program comprehension, and argues that keeping explanations apart from the diff forces context windowThe maximum amount of text a model can consider at once — its working memory for the current conversation or task.Full definition → switches that push reviewers toward superficial approvals.
Terms in this piece · Glossary
context window — The maximum amount of text a model can consider at once — its working memory for the current conversation or task.
