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Documents authored by Galster, Matthias

Document
Emerging Results, Vision & Reflection Track Paper
DOI: 10.4230/LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.54
An Exploratory Study of Agent Plans for Agentic AI Coding Tools in Open-Source Software

Authors: Muhammad Auwal Abubakar, Seyedmoein Mohsenimofidi, Jai Lal Lulla, Jie M. Zhang, Christoph Treude, Sebastian Baltes, and Matthias Galster

Published in: LIPIcs, Volume 394, 20th International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM 2026)

Abstract
Repository-level configuration artifacts allow developers to provide guidance for agentic AI coding tools, e.g., Claude Code, Gemini. Although prior research has examined repository-shared context files that capture project-level instructions and conventions (e.g., AGENTS.md files), little is known about more task-oriented artifacts such as Agent Plans. We present an exploratory study of Agent Plans in open-source software repositories, examining how plan files are preserved, which development activities they support, and what information they provide to guide agent execution. We screened 36,710 GitHub repositories belonging to engineered software projects and identified 85 Markdown plan files from 10 repositories. Within this concentrated corpus, Agent Plans supported several kinds of software engineering work, including maintenance, design, construction, quality-related work, and process support. They also provided task-oriented execution guidance, most commonly through implementation steps, concrete files and locations, and testing and validation information. Overall, repository-preserved Agent Plans in these tool-specific directories appear to be a narrow but informative artifact for studying task intent and execution guidance in human-agent workflows.
Cite as

Muhammad Auwal Abubakar, Seyedmoein Mohsenimofidi, Jai Lal Lulla, Jie M. Zhang, Christoph Treude, Sebastian Baltes, and Matthias Galster. An Exploratory Study of Agent Plans for Agentic AI Coding Tools in Open-Source Software. In 20th International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM 2026). Leibniz International Proceedings in Informatics (LIPIcs), Volume 394, pp. 54:1-54:14, Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik (2026)

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@InProceedings{abubakar_et_al:LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.54,
  author =	{Abubakar, Muhammad Auwal and Mohsenimofidi, Seyedmoein and Lulla, Jai Lal and Zhang, Jie M. and Treude, Christoph and Baltes, Sebastian and Galster, Matthias},
  title =	{{An Exploratory Study of Agent Plans for Agentic AI Coding Tools in Open-Source Software}},
  booktitle =	{20th International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM 2026)},
  pages =	{54:1--54:14},
  series =	{Leibniz International Proceedings in Informatics (LIPIcs)},
  ISBN =	{978-3-95977-450-5},
  ISSN =	{1868-8969},
  year =	{2026},
  volume =	{394},
  editor =	{Feldt, Robert and Paasivaara, Maria and Mendez, Daniel and Wagner, Stefan and Bar\'{o}n, Marvin Mu\~{n}oz},
  publisher =	{Schloss Dagstuhl -- Leibniz-Zentrum f{\"u}r Informatik},
  address =	{Dagstuhl, Germany},
  URL =		{https://drops.dagstuhl.de/entities/document/10.4230/LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.54},
  URN =		{urn:nbn:de:0030-drops-280222},
  doi =		{10.4230/LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.54},
  annote =	{Keywords: Agentic AI Coding Tools, Configuration Mechanisms, Plans}
}
Document
Emerging Results, Vision & Reflection Track Paper
DOI: 10.4230/LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.66
Does Gamification Improve Video-Based Soft Skills Training of Software Engineering Professionals?

Authors: Pasan Peiris, Matthias Galster, Antonija Mitrovic, Sanna Malinen, Raul Vincent Lumapas, and Jay Holland

Published in: LIPIcs, Volume 394, 20th International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM 2026)

Abstract
Soft skills are essential for software engineers. For example, effective communication and collaboration are critical for the design and delivery of software solutions. However, many organizations lack the resources to systematically support soft skills training. Although video-based training provides a flexible approach, it easily leads to shallow learning. To support engagement, active video watching integrates reflective activities, such as commenting on videos and reviewing peers’ comments. Gamifying these activities can further increase engagement. However, effective gamified training must carefully consider the target audience of the training. Therefore, this emerging results paper investigates the impact of gamification on the engagement, learning, and attitudes of software professionals participating in video-based soft skills training. We conducted an experiment involving 48 software professionals who completed a presentation skills training program. Our findings indicate that gamified video-based training did not significantly improve engagement or learning when compared to a non-gamified training. Nevertheless, participants generally expressed more positive attitudes toward gamified training. Based on these findings, we discuss several design considerations for technology-supported professional development for software professionals.
Cite as

Pasan Peiris, Matthias Galster, Antonija Mitrovic, Sanna Malinen, Raul Vincent Lumapas, and Jay Holland. Does Gamification Improve Video-Based Soft Skills Training of Software Engineering Professionals?. In 20th International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM 2026). Leibniz International Proceedings in Informatics (LIPIcs), Volume 394, pp. 66:1-66:14, Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik (2026)

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@InProceedings{peiris_et_al:LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.66,
  author =	{Peiris, Pasan and Galster, Matthias and Mitrovic, Antonija and Malinen, Sanna and Lumapas, Raul Vincent and Holland, Jay},
  title =	{{Does Gamification Improve Video-Based Soft Skills Training of Software Engineering Professionals?}},
  booktitle =	{20th International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM 2026)},
  pages =	{66:1--66:14},
  series =	{Leibniz International Proceedings in Informatics (LIPIcs)},
  ISBN =	{978-3-95977-450-5},
  ISSN =	{1868-8969},
  year =	{2026},
  volume =	{394},
  editor =	{Feldt, Robert and Paasivaara, Maria and Mendez, Daniel and Wagner, Stefan and Bar\'{o}n, Marvin Mu\~{n}oz},
  publisher =	{Schloss Dagstuhl -- Leibniz-Zentrum f{\"u}r Informatik},
  address =	{Dagstuhl, Germany},
  URL =		{https://drops.dagstuhl.de/entities/document/10.4230/LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.66},
  URN =		{urn:nbn:de:0030-drops-280344},
  doi =		{10.4230/LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.66},
  annote =	{Keywords: Software engineering, Soft Skills, Gamification, Video-based training, Empathy, Communication Skills, Professional development}
}

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