A Chinese developer on Cnblogs challenges the widely adopted file mention patterns in code agents, specifically the @ and ! commands popularized by Claude Code. The author, who acknowledges using GLM 5.2 for structural editing and research, argues that these patterns, while initially appealing, may introduce complexity and cognitive overhead that outweigh their benefits. The article delves into the nuances of agent UX design, questioning whether such patterns truly enhance productivity or merely create a false sense of control. This perspective is timely as the industry rapidly adopts similar patterns in tools like Cursor and GitHub Copilot. For developers building or using code agents, this offers a valuable counterpoint to the prevailing design philosophy, encouraging a more critical evaluation of interaction patterns. The article's self-aware use of AI for editing adds an interesting meta-layer to the discussion.
This article critically examines the file mention patterns (using @ and !) popularized by Claude Code, arguing they may not be as effective as assumed.