Automating repetitive coding tasks with scripts

by admin in Productivity & Tools 24 - Last Update December 2, 2025

Rate: 4/5 points in 24 reviews

Automating repetitive coding tasks with scripts

I used to think the small, repetitive tasks were just the cost of doing business as a developer. Setting up a project structure, running the same sequence of git commands, cleaning build artifacts... it all felt like digital paperwork. I\'d spend the first 15 minutes of any new task just getting the boilerplate out of the way. Honestly, I didn\'t realize how much this context-switching was draining my creative energy until I forced myself to stop and think about it.

My \'aha\' moment came when I timed myself. Over a week, I spent nearly three hours on tasks that were identical every single time. That was a turning point. It wasn\'t about being lazy; it was about being efficient and preserving my focus for the complex problems that actually required my brain.

Why I believe automation is a non-negotiable skill

I had to shift my mindset from \'it\'s faster to do this manually just this one time\' to \'this is the last time I\'m doing this manually.\' Investing a little time upfront to write a script pays dividends almost immediately. The real win isn\'t just the minutes you save; it\'s the reduction in cognitive load. When you can execute a ten-step process with a single command, you stay in your flow state. You\'re not breaking concentration to remember a specific command-line flag or a directory path. You\'re buying back your focus.

The first tasks I chose to automate

I didn\'t try to boil the ocean. I started with the most frequent and annoying tasks—the low-hanging fruit. My initial targets were simple but had a huge impact on my daily routine.

Streamlining my git workflow

My commit messages needed to follow a specific format, including a ticket number from our project management tool. I wrote a tiny shell script that prompts me for the ticket number and a short description, then formats and executes the `git commit` command perfectly every time. It\'s a simple thing, but it eliminated a constant point of friction.

Project scaffolding

Every time I started a new microservice, I\'d create the same directory structure, copy over the same linter and config files, and initialize a git repository. I consolidated all of that into a single script. Now, I run `./new-service [service-name]` and in seconds, I have a perfectly structured, ready-to-code project. It feels like magic.

The simple tools that power my workflow

You don\'t need a complex CI/CD platform to start. In fact, I believe in starting with the simplest tools available. For me, that meant re-discovering the power of the command line.

Shell Scripts (Bash/Zsh): For 90% of my automation needs, a simple shell script is more than enough. They are perfect for chaining commands, manipulating files, and interacting with other command-line tools. The key for me was adding a custom `~/scripts` directory to my system\'s PATH so I could run my scripts from anywhere.
Python: When a task required more complex logic, like parsing JSON from an API response or performing more intricate file manipulation, I reached for Python. Its clear syntax and powerful standard library make it my go-to for anything a shell script can\'t handle gracefully.

Ultimately, automating the mundane isn\'t just a time-saver. For me, it has become a professional discipline. It\'s a commitment to valuing my own focus and dedicating my most creative energy to solving problems that truly matter, not just checking boxes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What's the easiest way to start automating coding tasks?

Start small. I always recommend identifying one task you do more than five times a day, like creating a git commit with a specific format. Then, write a simple shell script or an alias for it. The goal isn't to build a complex system overnight but to get a quick win that saves you a few minutes every day. That momentum is powerful.

Are shell scripts (like Bash) still relevant for automation?

Absolutely. I find that for most of my simple automation needs—things like file manipulation, running commands, or basic git workflows—a simple Bash or Zsh script is the fastest and most efficient tool. They're universally available on most developer systems and require no extra setup. I only reach for something like Python when the logic gets more complex.

When should I use a script versus a dedicated tool or IDE feature?

My personal rule of thumb is this: if the task is highly specific to my personal workflow and not covered by a standard IDE feature, a script is perfect. For example, a script to pull data from a specific API and format it for a test environment. If it's a common task like code linting or refactoring, I almost always defer to the battle-tested tools built into my IDE.

How do I avoid spending more time writing scripts than I save?

That's a classic trap I've fallen into myself. I use what I call the 'five-minute rule.' If I can't write a basic, working version of the script in about five to ten minutes, the task might be too complex or not worth automating yet. Start with the low-hanging fruit. Over-engineering your scripts is a form of procrastination.

What is a common mistake developers make when starting with scripting?

The biggest mistake I see, and one I made early on, is not making scripts easily accessible. You can write the most brilliant script, but if you have to navigate to a specific directory to run it, you won't use it. I learned to put my scripts in a dedicated `bin` folder and add that folder to my system's PATH. This way, I can call them from any terminal, which is the key to making them a seamless part of my workflow.