How AI Helps Computer Programmers
Small dev teams carry old code that few people understand and that is slow to change. 12² builds team setup of coding assistants (e.g., GitHub Copilot), repo-specific instructions, test-generation workflow and review rules.
Legacy Code Modernization Assistant · From $4,500 + $349/mo, by team size · proposed estimate · It says it is an automated assistant whenever it talks to someone directly, and your team reviews what it drafts before it goes out.
Ai for legacy code modernization: the short answer.
AI can help a computer programmer explain and document legacy code, generate unit tests before changes, draft refactors for review, and write migration scripts. In a randomized experiment, developers using GitHub Copilot finished a coding task 55.8% faster. That was one task; tests and code review still decide what ships.
Sources
- RCT: GitHub Copilot users finished a coding task 55.8% faster (Peng et al. 2023); single task, quality not measuredarxiv.org
- GitHub Copilot plans: Free, Pro $10/mo, Pro+ $39/mo (public pricing page)github.com
Where the hours go now.
Legacy code and write documentation
Small dev teams carry old code that few people understand and that is slow to change.
Generating unit tests around old code before changes
Written up by hand, one at a time, after the real work is done.
Drafting refactors
Rebuilt from scratch each time, usually at the end of the day.
What it handles, and what it never does.
What it handles
- Legacy code and write documentationIt explains legacy code and write documentation.
- Generating unit tests around old code before changesIt generates unit tests around old code before changes.
- Drafting refactorsIt drafts refactors for developer review.
- Writing migration scripts with testsIt writes migration scripts with tests.
- Hand-off to your teamAnything that needs a person goes to the right person, with the details attached.
What it never does
- Make up a price or a factIt works only from the documents, records and price lists you give it. Anything it can't find goes to your team.
- Promise a resultQuestions about outcomes go to the person who does the work.
- Pretend to be a personIt says it is an automated assistant whenever it talks to someone directly.
- Send anything on its ownDrafts wait for your team's approval before anything goes out.
Built and tested on your own work.
Before handoff, we run your build on your own real examples and fix anything that misses.
- Tested on your own workBefore handoff, we run your build on your own real examples and fix anything that misses.
- Retainer, then balance on deliveryRetainer up front. Work starts once the retainer is paid; the balance is due on delivery when the agreed test cases pass.
- Fixed price, scope and timelineAll three in writing before work starts. The timeline is set in your quote.
- What 12² buildsTeam setup of coding assistants (e.g., GitHub Copilot), repo-specific instructions, test-generation workflow and review rules.
- How it connectsWe confirm how it connects to the tools you already use on the first call and write it into your quote.
Related solutions: Dev Team AI Workflow Setup · Web Team Build Accelerator · IT Help Desk Answer Assistant · all solutions
See also: all industry packages · pricing
From $4,500 + $349/moSetup + monthly, by size. The monthly fee covers monitoring, fixes and re-tests for your package as your templates, documents and staff change. AI and software usage is billed at cost. Proposed starting estimates by team size, not fixed prices; the final price is in a written quote.
- Small: Small team (1-10 developers)From $4,500 + $349/mo. The core build for 1-10 developers: team setup of coding assistants (e.g., GitHub Copilot), repo-specific instructions, test-generation workflow and review rules. Proposed estimate. Small tier is about the size of a 12squared.ai Proof build; monthly covers hosting, monitoring and fixes.
- Mid-size: Mid team (11-50 developers)From $9,500 + $750/mo. Everything in Small team, for more users, inboxes and calendars, with hand-off rules set for each role. Proposed estimate. Mid tier is about the size of a Core build (more users, more integrations).
- Enterprise: Large org (50+ developers)From $25,000, custom quote. Everything in Mid team, across locations or departments, with system integrations and a security review scoped in your custom quote. Proposed estimate. Starts near the Product build range; scope, integrations and security review set the final number. No cap.
- Retainer up front Work starts once the retainer is paid; the balance is due on delivery when the agreed test cases pass. Scope, price and timeline are agreed in writing before work starts.
- You own itThe accounts, scripts, templates and data sit in your name. You can leave at any time.
- Compliance and dataCode/IP confidentiality; customer SOC 2 asks; license checks on generated code.
Straight answers.
We already have Copilot. What do you add?
Repo-specific setup, test workflows and review rules so the team gets consistent results, not just autocomplete.
How does payment work?
Retainer up front. Work starts once the retainer is paid; the balance is due on delivery when the agreed test cases pass.
How long does it take?
Timelines are set per project in the quote, after we see your systems and volume.
Are these prices final?
No. They are proposed starting estimates. You get a written custom quote after a short scoping call.
Tell us how you handle legacy code and write documentation now.
A few lines is enough. If it's a fit we'll say so, and if it isn't we'll tell you why.
- A real replyWritten for you by 12², within one business day. Never an autoresponder.
- A free 20-minute callHow the work runs now, what gets missed, and what your team needs from it.
- A fixed quoteYour size, scope, date and price in writing before any work starts.
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