Code Assistant (Gemini / BUILD) outlines changes but fails to write them to local files

Google AI Studio
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1

Hello team,

I am experiencing a critical issue with the Code Assistant feature within the Google AI Console - BUILD environment. The assistant is successfully generating a plan for code changes, but it is failing to execute the write operation to the local files.

The Expected Behavior vs. The Issue:

  1. I provide instructions (e.g., “Make changes, add new features…”) to the Code Assistant.

  2. The assistant generates a detailed plan of changes (see attached screenshot for an example of the plan).

  3. The assistant processes the request, but the changes are never applied to the filesystem. The code in the affected files remains completely unmodified, and no diffs or pending changes appear.

  4. Crucially, this is not a “missing Apply button” issue. I understand that the tool is supposed to execute the file changes directly upon instruction, but the write operation is failing silently.

Specific tasks that failed to apply (from the session shown in the image):

  • App.tsx: Update routing structure to include Landing Page and protect club routes.

  • components/Dashboard.tsx: Filter people by active club and assign new people to the correct club.

  • components/SessionManager.tsx: Use club-specific session data and inventory.

Diagnostic Questions for the team:

  • Is this a known issue related to file system permissions or the local integration of the BUILD console?

  • Are there any required steps for the local development environment (e.g., specific file permissions, ensuring the IDE plugin is active) that might be missed?

Thank you for any insight into why the model can describe the work but cannot write the code.

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5 Likes
2

Hi @Dis-cord I have been facing the same issue. Did you try resetting the conversation and then added the prompt? :thinking:

3

Every now and then, I notice the same issue: the Assistant says it has updated the code or files, but nothing has actually changed.

  • Usually, I just say “approved,” and then it goes ahead and does make the code changes I requested.

Another technique I use is to “clean up the conversation” with the Assistant. I do this by:

  • Click the “Reset the conversation” button
  • Send a simple non-coding message to the Assistant (e.g. “read my custom instructions”)
  • Wait for its reply.
  • Exit the app using the “Back to start” button.
  • Return to the app and continue coding.

Does this work for you as well?

4

Right, me the same. I rebuilt the app three times now by putting all code in one txt file and rebuilt the app. But without the history etc. So frustrating!

5

Same… usually happens after a ton of context, probably due to context window overload? It’s happened in two apps I’ve built after like 50 revisions (estimating)