There are 100s of AI coding tools and many more are coming. Here're...
CJ Zafir@cjzafir
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Feb 14, 2025
~4 min read
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There are 100s of AI coding tools and many more are coming.
Here're the TOP 5 tools that will be perfect for your AI Coding Workflow: 🧵
Here're the TOP 5 tools that will be perfect for your AI Coding Workflow: 🧵
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1. @cursor_ai
Cursor is still the #1 AI Coding IDE right now. If you want to build production ready applications, Cursor can handle that.
But here're some key findings:
1. provide deep context about your project
2. write .cursorrules file (project rules now)
3. create a detailed implementation plan for AI
4. use "agent mode" in composer for fast build
5. use ai friendly tech stacks and file structure
6. use new composer for new features or tasks
7. deploy the app after major steps to minimize build errors
8. use 'chat' to understand the issue, and 'agent' to fix it
Limitations:
- Cursor is a bit complex IDE for beginners
- It can mess up the codebase if you don't provide project context
Cursor is still the #1 AI Coding IDE right now. If you want to build production ready applications, Cursor can handle that.
But here're some key findings:
1. provide deep context about your project
2. write .cursorrules file (project rules now)
3. create a detailed implementation plan for AI
4. use "agent mode" in composer for fast build
5. use ai friendly tech stacks and file structure
6. use new composer for new features or tasks
7. deploy the app after major steps to minimize build errors
8. use 'chat' to understand the issue, and 'agent' to fix it
Limitations:
- Cursor is a bit complex IDE for beginners
- It can mess up the codebase if you don't provide project context
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2. @CodeGuidedev
It is ChatGPT for AI coding tools. It writes detailed project coding documents for your projects.
Docs like:
- project requirements doc (PRD)
- tech stack doc.
- app flow doc.
- file structure doc
- .cursorrules (project rules file)
- frontend guidelines
- backend structure
All you need to do is attach these documents to any AI coding tool and AI will understand what do I need to code.
AI coding formula = {project documentation (context)} + {step by step instructions (plan)}
CodeGuide provide both: context & the implementation plan.
Limitations:
- No trial available.
It is ChatGPT for AI coding tools. It writes detailed project coding documents for your projects.
Docs like:
- project requirements doc (PRD)
- tech stack doc.
- app flow doc.
- file structure doc
- .cursorrules (project rules file)
- frontend guidelines
- backend structure
All you need to do is attach these documents to any AI coding tool and AI will understand what do I need to code.
AI coding formula = {project documentation (context)} + {step by step instructions (plan)}
CodeGuide provide both: context & the implementation plan.
Limitations:
- No trial available.
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3. @windsurf_ai
Similar to Cursor Windsurf is an AI coding IDE, but it is beginner friendly. (There are no composer, debugger and chat interfaces like Cursor)
Windsurf has its own agentic interface "Cascade" which is simple to use.
Some key findings:
1. windsurf team is quite innovative & add features fast
2. attach project docs to start and make sure Cascade understood the project scope.
3. use "turbo mode" to let AI agent automatically run commands
4. add .windsurfrules for project specific guidelines
5. use web search feature to fetch latest docs from web
6. use ‘@ mentions’ to provide the AI with specific file context.
limitations:
- Windsurf can be unstable sometimes. (UX needs a little more work)
- For heavy codebases, It can start to brea if you don't provide detailed prompt and file context.
Similar to Cursor Windsurf is an AI coding IDE, but it is beginner friendly. (There are no composer, debugger and chat interfaces like Cursor)
Windsurf has its own agentic interface "Cascade" which is simple to use.
Some key findings:
1. windsurf team is quite innovative & add features fast
2. attach project docs to start and make sure Cascade understood the project scope.
3. use "turbo mode" to let AI agent automatically run commands
4. add .windsurfrules for project specific guidelines
5. use web search feature to fetch latest docs from web
6. use ‘@ mentions’ to provide the AI with specific file context.
limitations:
- Windsurf can be unstable sometimes. (UX needs a little more work)
- For heavy codebases, It can start to brea if you don't provide detailed prompt and file context.
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4. @boltdotnew
If you want to start coding quickly and your use case is Micro SaaS, than Bolt is the best right now.
It opens up in your browser and installs all packages in 1 click.
Key findings:
1. attach project docs by creating a new "instructions" folder.
2. enable "diffs" to save tokens - from settings
3. use "enhance prompt" to polish your request better
4. use "target file" to make changes to specific file
5. when you get into an error loop, say "use chain of thought reasoning to find the root cause of the issue"
6. use supabase integration to build your backend
Limitations:
- It is perfect for 4-8 pager apps but for complex apps it can start to break.
- you can fall in an "error loop" and burn tokens just debugging (use prompting tricks and you'll be fine)
If you want to start coding quickly and your use case is Micro SaaS, than Bolt is the best right now.
It opens up in your browser and installs all packages in 1 click.
Key findings:
1. attach project docs by creating a new "instructions" folder.
2. enable "diffs" to save tokens - from settings
3. use "enhance prompt" to polish your request better
4. use "target file" to make changes to specific file
5. when you get into an error loop, say "use chain of thought reasoning to find the root cause of the issue"
6. use supabase integration to build your backend
Limitations:
- It is perfect for 4-8 pager apps but for complex apps it can start to break.
- you can fall in an "error loop" and burn tokens just debugging (use prompting tricks and you'll be fine)
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5. @lovable
Lovable has the best branding and UI out of all AI coding tools. It designs high quality UI components.
Perfect for Landing pages and Micro SaaS.
Key findings:
1. paste you PRD content to start your workflow
2. start screen by screen. 1 step at a time
3. attach screenshots and lovable can replicate the UI
4. use their new "edit" function to edit content and design on-screen
5. use built-in integrations with supabase, stripe, resend
Limitations:
- lovable doesn't work with NextJS framework but works with viteJS
- you can't attach or upload .md docs.
- you can't bring public repo to Github to build on top.
Lovable has the best branding and UI out of all AI coding tools. It designs high quality UI components.
Perfect for Landing pages and Micro SaaS.
Key findings:
1. paste you PRD content to start your workflow
2. start screen by screen. 1 step at a time
3. attach screenshots and lovable can replicate the UI
4. use their new "edit" function to edit content and design on-screen
5. use built-in integrations with supabase, stripe, resend
Limitations:
- lovable doesn't work with NextJS framework but works with viteJS
- you can't attach or upload .md docs.
- you can't bring public repo to Github to build on top.
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TL;DR
1. Cursor is best for complex SaaS applications
2. @CodeGuidedev is best for writing your coding docs
3. Windsurf is best for beginner AI devs
4. Bolt is a browser based IDE, best for Micro SaaS
5. Lovable is great for modern UI design and Micro SaaS
I didn't add Replit (but its the best for quick MVPs and mobile apps)
v0: I think they lost the charm. Not many are using it actively.
1. Cursor is best for complex SaaS applications
2. @CodeGuidedev is best for writing your coding docs
3. Windsurf is best for beginner AI devs
4. Bolt is a browser based IDE, best for Micro SaaS
5. Lovable is great for modern UI design and Micro SaaS
I didn't add Replit (but its the best for quick MVPs and mobile apps)
v0: I think they lost the charm. Not many are using it actively.
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btw, you can get major discounts with CodeGuide Yearly Membership.
Join codeguide.dev here.
→ 15% discount on all Bolt .new plans
→ 20% discount on all Lovable plans
→ 90 day FREE PRO plan for Windsurf
and few more tools.
Join codeguide.dev here.
→ 15% discount on all Bolt .new plans
→ 20% discount on all Lovable plans
→ 90 day FREE PRO plan for Windsurf
and few more tools.