AI Smell

Detects signs of unreviewed AI-generated code: console.log, generic names, obvious comments.

Rule ID:ai-smell

Examples#

BadConsole.log, generic names, obvious comments

// console.log left in production
console.log('data:', data);
console.log('user fetched');

// Generic variable names
const data = await fetchData();
const result = processData(data);
const temp = result.filter(item => item.active);
const info = getInfo();

// Obvious comments restating code
// Set the user name
const userName = user.name;
// Check if active
if (isActive) { /* ... */ }

// Generic file: utils.ts, helpers.ts
// Placeholder code
throw new Error('Not implemented');

GoodDescriptive names, meaningful comments, no console.log

// Proper logging
logger.info('User fetched', { userId });

// Descriptive variable names
const activeUsers = await fetchActiveUsers();
const sortedByDate = activeUsers.sort(byCreatedAt);
const recentSignups = sortedByDate.filter(isRecentSignup);

// Comments explain WHY, not WHAT
// Rate limit to 100 req/min per GDPR compliance requirement
if (requestCount > RATE_LIMIT) { /* ... */ }

// Specific file names: date-formatters.ts, auth-validators.ts
// Complete implementations, no placeholders

What It Detects#

mediumconsole.log in production code

console.log left in production code

Fix: Remove console.log or replace with a proper logger.

infoGeneric variable names (data, result, temp, info, item)

Generic variable name "{name}" — lacks semantic meaning

Fix: Rename to describe what it actually holds.

lowObvious comments restating code

Obvious comment that restates the code

Fix: Remove comments that restate WHAT. Good comments explain WHY.

mediumGeneric file names (utils.ts, helpers.ts, misc.ts)

Generic file name — likely a dumping ground

Fix: Rename to describe its purpose.

highPlaceholder code (throw new Error("Not implemented"))

Placeholder code detected — not production-ready

Fix: Complete the implementation or remove the placeholder.

lowAI attribution comments (Generated by ChatGPT/Claude)

AI attribution comment — code may need human review

Fix: Review AI-generated code carefully. Remove attribution after verification.

Configuration#

This rule is enabled by default. To disable it:

.vibertestrc.jsonjson

{
  "rules": {
    "ai-smell": {
      "enabled": false
    }
  }
}

#016 Hardcoded Secrets #018 Abandoned TODO/FIXME