Technical solutions are described for augmenting cognitive scope of a programming object in a programming development system. For example, a computer-implemented method includes determining, by a processor, a scope of a programming object in a computer program. The method further includes generating, by the processor, a cognitive programming user-interface mask corresponding to a programmer profile. The method further includes applying, by the processor, the cognitive programming user-interface mask to a user-interface of the programming development system, the user-interface displaying an indication of the scope of the programming object.