AI Coding Tools¶
The AI coding landscape is evolving rapidly. This section helps you navigate the tools available for AI-assisted development.
Tool Categories¶
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IDEs & Editors
Full-featured development environments with integrated AI capabilities.
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CLI & Terminal
Command-line tools for AI-assisted coding in your terminal.
Claude Code · Codex · Aider
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AI Models & APIs
The underlying AI models that power these tools.
How Tools Work Together¶
Many tools use multiple AI models under the hood. Understanding these relationships helps you choose the right combination:
| Tool | Type | Models Supported |
|---|---|---|
| Cursor | IDE | Claude, GPT-4, Gemini |
| Windsurf | IDE | Claude, GPT-4 |
| VS Code + Copilot | IDE | GPT-4 (Copilot) |
| Claude Code | CLI | Claude |
| Codex CLI | CLI | GPT-4 |
| Aider | CLI | Claude, GPT-4, others |
Configuration Fundamentals¶
Most AI coding tools store their configuration in your home directory. Understanding this is key to customizing your setup.
Understanding Config Directories
Choosing the Right Tool¶
New to AI coding? Start with Cursor - it has the gentlest learning curve.
Prefer the terminal? Try Claude Code or Aider.
Already using VS Code? Add GitHub Copilot to your existing setup.
Want flexibility? Cursor and Aider let you switch between models.
Community Resources¶
- agents-environment-config - Shared configurations for multiple tools
- Cursor Rules Guide - Customize Cursor's behavior