Inherited a script nobody documented? The AI Code Explainer turns code into an explanation you can follow, without changing a single character of the original.
It names the language and, when evident, the framework, then sums up what the code does in two or three sentences. After that it walks through the code block by block, quoting the relevant lines, points out inputs, outputs, side effects and dependencies, and ends with notes on bugs, security or performance only when it finds real ones.
By default it writes for an intermediate developer. A note at the top of the snippet, such as Explain it for a beginner or Focus on performance, changes the level. It belongs to the Developer tools family, next to the Bug Fixer for code that already fails.
What you get
- A summary of two or three sentences on what the code does and why
- A block-by-block or line-by-line walkthrough, each part quoting the lines it explains
- The inputs, outputs, side effects and dependencies of the code
- A Notes section on bugs, security, performance or readability, only when there are real findings
What you fill in
- Code to explain required
-
Add a note at the top for a specific focus, for example “Explain it for a beginner” or “Focus on performance”. Remove passwords and keys before pasting.
How to use it, step by step
-
Open Code Explainer
You find it in the Developer tools family of the workspace. The form has a single field, Code to explain.
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Paste the code and, if you want, a focus note
Put a short note on the first line to set the level or the angle, for example explain it for a beginner. Remove passwords and keys before pasting.
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Pick the output language and generate
The explanation is written in the language you choose, while the quoted code keeps its exact syntax.
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Read the notes and act on them
If the Notes section flags a problem, check it in your environment, then use the Bug Fixer if you need a corrected version.
Example, input and output
Input
- code_section
- Explain it for a beginner function debounce(fn, delay) { let timer; return (...args) => { clearTimeout(timer); timer = setTimeout(() => fn(...args), delay); }; }
Output
## Summary
This function wraps another function so that it runs only after calls have stopped for a given time.
## Step by step
```javascript
function debounce(fn, delay) {
let timer;
```
`debounce` receives the function to delay and the wait in milliseconds. `timer` will remember the pending call.
```javascript
return (...args) => {
clearTimeout(timer);
```
It returns a new function. Each time it is called, it cancels the call that was waiting.
```javascript
timer = setTimeout(() => fn(...args), delay);
```
Then it schedules a fresh call after `delay` milliseconds, passing along the same arguments.
## Inputs and outputs
- Input: a function and a delay in milliseconds.
- Output: a new function. Side effect: it uses a timer.
Illustrative example written by the editorial team to show the expected format.
Tips for better results
- State your level in the first line. A beginner explanation and a performance review of the same code are very different answers.
- Paste a complete function or block, not a fragment cut mid-statement, so the summary describes real behavior.
- Mention the framework if the code relies on one, for example Laravel or React, to get explanations of its conventions.
Who uses it, and for what
Onboarding on a new codebase
Paste the functions you meet first and build a mental map of the project before your first change.
Students reading examples
Turn a tutorial snippet into a step-by-step lesson in your language, at your level.
Code review preparation
Get a neutral summary of a colleague's change and the side effects worth asking about.
Non-developers who must sign off
Product managers or founders can ask for a beginner-level explanation of a script before approving it.
Limits and good practice
- It cannot see code that the snippet imports or calls elsewhere, so behavior that depends on other files is described from what is visible.
- It does not run the code. Any claim about performance should be confirmed with a measurement.
- Each generation uses credits from your plan, see pricing or create an account.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get an explanation of code at my level?
Write a short note on the first line of the field, such as Explain it for a beginner, Explain it for a senior developer or Focus on security. Without a note, the tool assumes an intermediate developer and explains the code block by block with the relevant lines quoted.
Will the Code Explainer change my code?
No. It quotes your lines exactly as written and never rewrites them. If it spots a real bug, a security issue or a performance problem, it describes it in the Notes section at the end. To get a corrected version, paste the same code into the Bug Fixer.
Can I get the explanation in a language other than English?
Yes. Choose the output language in the settings and the summary, walkthrough and notes are written in it. Code, identifiers and error messages are kept unchanged, so the quoted lines still match your file.
How long can the code snippet be?
There is no fixed line limit in the form, but the length setting caps the explanation. Short snippets get a line-by-line walkthrough, longer ones a block-by-block one. For a large file, explain one function at a time.
Does it flag security problems?
When it finds a real issue, such as unsanitized input or a hard-coded secret, it lists it in the Notes section. An empty Notes section is normal, and it does not replace a security audit.
Try it in your workspace
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Sign in or create a free account, the tool opens in your workspace.