AI tools for coding are everywhere now, but most developers still treat them like fancy autocomplete. Big mistake. With the right approach, AI isn’t just a helper — it can act like a full micro-team that writes code, reviews code, and keeps improving it in a loop. If you’re into modern vibe coding, this setup feels like supercharged pair programming with zero drama.
My setup?
- Claude (Sonnet-4.5-Thinking) writes my PHP code.
- gpt5-codex performs the AI code review.
- Claude fixes it.
- gpt5-codex reviews again.
- And the cycle repeats until nothing major stands out… at least for that moment.
It’s basically AI pair programming, except my “pair” doesn’t complain, doesn’t forget things, doesn’t get tired, and doesn’t ask for pizza.
And if you’re a WordPress plugin developer, this combo is insanely effective for keeping your PHP and WordPress architecture clean, secure, and future-proof.
Why Use AI for Coding AND Code Review Separately?
Most devs use one AI model and call it a day. But using two specialized AI agents gives you the benefits of both worlds, especially if you’re aiming for high-quality, AI-assisted WordPress development.
Claude (Sonnet-4.5-Thinking) — Best for AI-Powered Coding
- Writes clean PHP
- Handles WordPress hooks, nonces, sanitization naturally
- Great reasoning for complex plugin logic
- Low hallucination rate
- Produces readable, maintainable code that fits modern vibe coding workflows
gpt5-codex — Best for AI Code Review
- Brutal, structured AI code review
- Flags security issues
- Detects anti-patterns
- Suggests performance fixes
- Results might change with each iteration, catching new things
Using both is like pairing a patient senior engineer with a CTO who audits everything with a magnifying glass. Perfect for modern AI-driven pair programming.
The Full Loop: AI-Assisted Coding + AI Code Review
1. Claude Writes the Code
I ask Claude to build a WordPress plugin or feature, like:
“Create a REST API endpoint that fetches the latest posts. Follow best practices for security, sanitization, and capability checks.”
Claude outputs PHP that already looks like it went through a decent review. This is where AI coding really shines.
2. gpt5-codex Performs an AI Code Review
I run a strict code review prompt:
“Review this WordPress plugin code for critical, high, and medium issues. Include security concerns, WordPress best practices, naming, escaping, and potential bugs.”
gpt5-codex typically flags:
- missing sanitization
- nonce issues
- incorrect capability checks
- SQL / query concerns
- missing escapes
- unnecessary complexity
- outdated patterns
And each run might notice different things — which is actually helpful for catching more issues in your PHP and WordPress codebase.
3. Claude Fixes the Findings
Claude is wildly good at taking a review and producing a corrected version. It makes AI-driven refactoring incredibly efficient:
- security tightened
- escaping added
- WP_Query refined
- functions refactored
- docblocks cleaned
- plugin structure improved
It’s the closest thing to handing off tasks to a junior dev who’s also incredibly polite — a pretty great vibe coding experience.
4. gpt5-codex Reviews Again
Another round. Sometimes a shorter one. Sometimes it catches something new.
And again, results might change, which is why this iterative loop is gold in AI code review workflows.
I bounce between the two agents until gpt5-codex says something like:
“Nothing major stands out for now.”
“For now” is key — AI reviews aren’t deterministic. And that’s good.
Why This AI Coding Workflow Works So Well for WordPress Plugins
WordPress plugin development is a mix of:
- security rules
- capability checks
- escaping conventions
- REST nuances
- activation/deactivation quirks
- database differences
- coding standards
Humans miss things. Tired developers miss more things.
AI? AI doesn’t blink.
Claude writes code with strong reasoning. gpt5-codex audits it with a stricter eye than most human reviewers, especially helpful in WordPress development where small mistakes turn into weird bugs later.
The combo:
- improves plugin security
- reduces debugging time
- catches best-practice issues
- improves consistency
- speeds up development
This isn’t “AI writing your code.” It’s AI enhancing the developer, not replacing one — the real magic of vibe coding with AI.
Example: “Get User Drafts” Plugin Feature
Claude generated:
- a correct REST route
- permission checks
- sanitized output
- a clean class structure
gpt5-codex reviewed it and flagged:
- missing capability verification
- missing escaping
- better error handling
- docblock improvements
Claude patched everything. gpt5-codex reviewed again.
Rinse. Repeat.
Result? A clean, secure WordPress feature — far faster than doing it alone, thanks to AI-assisted PHP development and iterative AI reviews.
AI Pair Programming Feels Like Having a Tiny Dev Team
It’s honestly wild.
- Claude = the builder.
- gpt5-codex = the auditor.
- Me = the referee.
No meetings. No misunderstandings. No “Did you push your changes?” No 2-hour debates on code style.
Just a tight feedback loop that delivers cleaner PHP and more secure WordPress plugins using AI-powered pair programming.
This is the closest thing to AI-powered pair programming that actually feels useful in real life.
Why This Workflow Fits Modern Development
One thing I realized while using this setup is that it lines up really well with how modern development actually works in 2025. Teams today expect faster iteration, better code quality, and solid documentation—whether you’re building a SaaS, a WordPress plugin, or a small internal tool.
This workflow naturally pushes you in that direction:
- You write cleaner PHP because Claude gives you a strong structure from the start.
- You ship safer WordPress code because gpt5-codex keeps catching security concerns.
- You move faster because long feedback loops disappear.
- You get more consistent code because both models enforce patterns round after round.
The end result is code that’s easier to maintain, easier to extend, and less likely to explode when someone activates the plugin on a weird hosting setup. And if you’re someone building plugins for clients or releasing them publicly, that consistency is a huge win — especially when AI is keeping the quality high.
It’s not about replacing developers. It’s about building a workflow that mirrors what a good engineering team already does—just compressed into minutes instead of days through smart AI coding practices.
Final Thoughts: Try the Two-Agent AI Coding Loop
If you’re a PHP developer, plugin builder, or anyone writing backend logic, especially in the WordPress ecosystem:
Try this three-step flow:
- Claude writes
- gpt5-codex reviews
- Repeat until clean (for now)
Your future self — especially at 1 a.m. debugging that one hook — will thank you. This is the kind of AI-powered vibe coding workflow that makes modern development actually enjoyable.