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AI Coding Tools Overview

Choose the right AI coding tool for your workflow and skill level. Each tool has unique strengths and is suited for different development scenarios.

Tool Comparison​

AI Coding ToolKey FeaturesBest For
CursorVS Code fork with AI completion, code rewriting, agent modeDevelopers wanting familiar VS Code experience with powerful AI
Claude CodeCommand-line tool with granular controlTerminal-focused developers who want precise control
WindsurfVS Code fork with cascade interface, agentic modeDevelopers seeking advanced AI collaboration features
Augment CodeContext-aware AI with codebase understandingTeams working on complex, large codebases
Roo CodeLightweight AI coding assistantDevelopers wanting simple, fast AI assistance

Choosing the Right Tool​

For Beginners​

  • Replit Agent: Cloud-hosted, no setup required
  • Lovable: Chat-based interface, great for web projects
  • Cursor: Familiar VS Code interface with powerful AI

For Experienced Developers​

  • Claude Code: Terminal-based, granular control
  • Windsurf: Advanced collaboration features
  • Zed: High performance, collaborative editing

For Teams & Enterprise​

  • Augment Code: Advanced codebase understanding
  • Mistral Code: On-premise deployment, enterprise security
  • Cursor: Team collaboration features

For Specific Use Cases​

  • Web Development: Replit Agent, Lovable
  • Performance-Critical: Zed
  • Large Codebases: Augment Code
  • Autonomous Development: Devin, OpenAI Codex
info

Most developers benefit from trying 2-3 tools to find what works best for their workflow. Many tools offer free tiers or trials.

Installation & Setup​

Each tool has different installation requirements:

  • Cloud-based: Replit Agent, Lovable, OpenAI Codex
  • Desktop Applications: Cursor, Windsurf, Zed
  • Command-line Tools: Claude Code, Augment Code
  • IDE Extensions: Gemini Code Assist, Mistral Code
  • Hybrid: Roo Code (both CLI and extension options)

Getting Started​

  1. Start with one primary tool that matches your current workflow
  2. Follow the specific installation guide for your chosen tool
  3. Try the basic examples provided in each tool's documentation
  4. Gradually explore advanced features as you become comfortable
  5. Consider adding a secondary tool for specialized tasks
warning

Remember to review and test all AI-generated code. These tools are assistants, not replacements for understanding and validating your code.

Next Steps​