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Smart Diff

Highlight what the model changed in a document, file, or canvas, and group related edits for accept or reject. People should see the delta before it sticks.

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Overview

How might we design smart diff so people can trust and act on AI output?

When to use

  • Perfect for collaborative editing tools, version control systems, and document platforms where intelligent change visualization improves review and collaboration.

When to skip

  • Brand-new blank generations with no prior document to compare.
  • Tiny single-field edits where a full diff pane is heavier than undo.
  • Streaming chat replies that are not meant to mutate an existing artifact.

Rules

  • Applying AI edits with no visual diff and only a buried undo.

  • Raw line diffs that ignore semantic groupings users care about.

  • Accept-all with no way to accept hunks selectively.

  • Diffs that hide deletions or move them off-screen.

Evidence

ProductImplementation
GitHubPull request diffs and Copilot suggested-change review.
Google DocsSuggesting mode that marks AI or collaborator edits for review.
NotionAI rewrite previews that show before/after on selected blocks.
CursorInline and multi-file diffs for agent and composer edits.

FAQ

What is smart diff in AI product UX?

Smart diff shows what the AI changed relative to the prior version, often with accept/reject per hunk, so users can review model edits instead of trusting a silent overwrite.

When do I need semantic grouping?

When many line changes are one logical edit (rename, reformat, move). Grouping reduces noise compared with raw line-by-line diffs.

How does smart diff relate to human-in-the-loop?

HITL is the approval gate. Smart diff is the evidence surface that makes that approval informed. Most write-agents need both.

Should chat streaming use diffs?

Only when the model is editing an existing artifact. Pure chat answers usually stream as text; apply diffs when mutating docs or code.