Project Setup
Set up your development environment to use AI tools safely and effectively.
Set up your coding assistant
1. Install an AI coding assistant
Install a coding assistant from the Allowed Tools for Defra Pilot list.
2. Turn on privacy settings
Important: You must enable privacy settings to protect government data. Privacy settings stop your code and data being stored on AI providers’ servers. They also prevent your data being used to train AI models.
For information on the appropriate privacy settings for your chosen AI tool, see the Defra Tools Guidance
3. Add AI rules files
Add Rules for AI to your repository and commit them to version control.
4. Configure MCP connections (pilot projects only)
MCP is currently under review and limited to designated pilot projects. If your project is approved, follow the Defra MCP Guidance to connect AI tools to systems like Jira, GitHub or Azure DevOps.
Set up repository documentation
You need access to artifacts like user stories, technical designs, diagrams and interface designs from within your coding assistant.
Use Obsidian Vault (optional)
Use Obsidian (opens in new tab) to manage all your project artifacts centrally. You can add an obsidian vault to your code repo or create a separate repo and link to it using git submodules (opens in new tab)
You don’t have to use Obsidian, you can use another approach that suits your team.
