But... by the time I get to run the script I've already written the code so I have no more need to know what that auto signified.

Hmm perhaps auto should be an IDE function and not a language feature? Type:

auto blih = *that_custom_collection_from_the_legacy_code_base->begin();

and when you press enter it replaces it with the proper type.

True story. I could use that right now :)