Tools & Environments

AI-Native IDEs

These are code editors with AI deeply integrated — chat, inline completion, multi-file editing.

Cursor

A VS Code fork built around AI. Features Cmd+K for inline edits, chat panel, multi-file context, and "Composer" mode for large changes. Supports Claude, GPT, and other models.

Windsurf (Codeium)

An AI IDE with "Cascade" — a multi-step coding flow that plans, implements, and tests changes. Strong free tier. Supports multiple model providers.

Great Free Tier

VS Code + GitHub Copilot

Microsoft's extension for VS Code. Excellent tab completion, chat panel, and workspace editing. Powered by GPT-4o with optional Claude support.

Biggest Ecosystem

Zed

A blazingly fast editor written in Rust with native AI integration. Supports Claude and GPT models. Great performance but smaller community.

Fastest Editor

Browser-Based Builders

Type a prompt, get a running app. No install, no setup.

Bolt.new

Full-stack web apps from a single prompt. Generates React/Next.js apps with instant live previews. Can deploy directly. Uses Claude under the hood.

Best for Full-Stack

Lovable

Describes itself as "the AI full-stack engineer." Generates complete apps with database integration, authentication, and responsive design from natural language.

Most Complete

v0.dev

Vercel's UI builder. Specializes in generating React components with Tailwind CSS. Excellent for creating individual UI components and pages.

Best for UI Components

Replit

Online IDE with "Replit Agent" — an AI that can build and deploy full applications. Supports many languages. Great for learning and quick prototypes.

Best for Learning

CLI Agents

Terminal-based AI that reads your codebase, makes changes, and runs commands autonomously.

Claude Code

Anthropic's official CLI agent. Reads your entire project, understands context, makes multi-file edits, runs tests, and fixes issues. Powered by Claude models.

Most Capable Agent

Aider

Open-source CLI coding assistant. Works with Claude, GPT, and local models. Excellent git integration — auto-commits with meaningful messages.

Best Open Source

OpenAI Codex CLI

OpenAI's terminal agent. Runs code, browses docs, and makes edits. Good for GPT-focused workflows.

OpenAI Ecosystem

Common Implementations

What people actually build with these tools:

Project Type	Best Tool	Typical Time
Landing page / portfolio	Bolt, v0, Lovable	10-30 minutes
Chrome extension	Cursor, Claude Code	30-60 minutes
CRUD web app	Bolt, Lovable, Cursor	1-3 hours
API / backend service	Claude Code, Cursor	1-4 hours
Data dashboard	Cursor, Claude Code	2-4 hours
Mobile app (React Native)	Cursor, Windsurf	4-8 hours
Full SaaS product	Cursor + Claude Code	Days to weeks
Game (simple)	Bolt, Cursor	1-3 hours
CLI tool / automation	Claude Code, Aider	30-90 minutes

Tool Comparison

Feature	Cursor	Bolt.new	Claude Code	Copilot
Setup required	Install app	None (browser)	npm install	VS Code extension
Multi-file edits	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Good
Model support	Claude, GPT, etc.	Claude	Claude only	GPT, Claude
Tab completion	Yes	No	No	Yes
Deployment	Manual	Built-in	Manual	Manual
Free tier	Limited	Limited	Limited	$10/mo student free
Best for	Daily dev work	Quick prototypes	Complex projects	Existing VS Code users

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