AI Multi-Engine Workflow in VS Code
Operational guide and prompt templates for GPT, Gemini, Claude, and GitHub Copilot integration in VS Code workflow.
AI Multi-Engine Workflow Introduction
This document summarizes the operational configuration for using GPT(ChatGPT), Gemini, Claude, and GitHub Copilot together in a coordinated research and engineering workflow for modeling and code development using VS Code.
Engine Roles
| Engine | Model | Role |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Copilot | GPT-4.1 |
Inline coding, refactors, reliable Apply |
| ChatGPT (OpenAI) | GPT-5.x |
Deep reasoning, model design, refactor planning |
| Gemini Pro | Gemini 2.5 Pro |
Data pipeline, schema reasoning, ETL logic |
| Claude | Sonnet / Opus |
Architecture comprehension, conceptual critique, writing |
Operational Principle
- Copilot maintains continuous full-repo awareness and applies edits.
- ChatGPT performs high-level reasoning and mathematical/system design.
- Gemini engineers data ingestion and validation pipelines.
- Claude critiques architecture and synthesizes narrative outputs.
Rule: Only Copilot performs direct code application. Other engines produce plans or diffs for manual application.
Chat Session Persistence Matrix
| Engine | Where Chats Are Stored | Persistence | How to Review Later | Export Options | Repo / File Awareness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub Copilot Chat (VS Code) | Local to VS Code (workspace session history) | Persistent per workspace | VS Code chat session history | Export / Import chat sessions (VS Code commands) | High (repo + workspace context) | Not stored as “web history” in your GitHub account. Stored locally with VS Code’s workspace/session data. |
| Claude Code (VS Code) | Local session store (Claude Code project/session files) | Persistent, but UI can be fragile | Resume / session history (when the extension UI cooperates) | Manual copy; local file-based session history is recoverable | High (project context + file reads) | Claude Code stores sessions locally; several releases have had “history not showing” bugs even when the files still exist. |
| Gemini Code Assist (VS Code) | Gemini Code Assist session history | Persists across IDE sessions (until deleted) | Gemini Code Assist history / Resume Previous Chat | Manual copy (and whatever the extension provides) | Moderate–High (open files / workspace context) | Threads persist across IDE sessions unless you clear them. |
| ChatGPT (Web / Desktop) | OpenAI account chat history | Saved until deleted (or archived) | Chat history sidebar | Copy / manual export | File awareness only via uploads/connectors | Best place to keep “reasoning logs” that I want to persist independent of an editor session. |
| OpenAI Codex (VS Code extension) | Depends on mode (cloud history + local session behavior varies) | Not reliable enough to assume persistence | Cloud history when available; local history may disappear on restart (varies by version) | Manual copy; some users recover archived/local sessions from disk | High (workspace + file context) | Treat as an execution tool, not the canonical long-term log, unless you verify your version’s persistence behavior. |
Summary Statement
Copilot applies code.
GPT-5 designs systems.
Gemini engineers data pipelines.
Claude critiques architecture.
The SOC prompt governs them all.