AstraAI v1

Abstract

AstraAI is an open-source, structure-aware AI coding agent designed for large scientific and DOE-HPC codebases such as AMReX-based applications. Unlike general-purpose coding assistants, AstraAI combines retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) with compiler-level Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) analysis to perform precise, scope-constrained code modifications. It identifies exact function spans, enforces locality of edits, and maintains cross-file invariants, enabling deterministic and build-safe transformations in complex C++/GPU environments. AstraAI is intended for developers working on large, evolving HPC frameworks where correctness, reproducibility, and structural integrity are critical. Typical use cases include modifying physics kernels, updating GPU device lambdas, and performing multi-file refactors without breaking compilation or runtime semantics. Compared to conventional LLM-based coding agents - even those with repository access - AstraAI provides structural guarantees rather than free-form text patches. It minimizes unintended diffs, prevents scope drift, preserves formatting and build stability, and reduces structural hallucinations. By integrating compiler tooling directly into the generation loop, AstraAI transforms AI-assisted coding from probabilistic text editing into deterministic, structure-preserving program transformation suitable for mission-critical scientific software.