AI-Powered Development 🤖

Plan with Claude. Spec & Architecture

Before you write a single line of code, spend 30-60 minutes in Claude. This is your thinking partner, not your code monkey. Use it to:

• Define the spec, describe your idea, let Claude challenge it, narrow the scope
• Design the architecture, database schema, API routes, data flow, component tree
• Identify the risks, what's the hardest part? What might you get stuck on?
• Write the PRD, a 1-page product requirements doc you'll reference throughout

Claude's strength is long-form reasoning and conversation. Don't ask it to generate files, ask it to think with you.

Claude · Best for planning & reasoning

Prototype UI with v0 or Bolt

Take your spec and generate the UI. This isn't about perfect code, it's about seeing your idea visually in 30 minutes instead of 3 hours.

• v0 (Vercel), generates React + Tailwind components. Best for individual UI components and pages. The code is clean and production-usable.
• Bolt (StackBlitz), generates full applications in-browser. Best when you want a working prototype with routing, state, and multiple pages.

Paste your Claude spec into the prompt. Iterate 2-3 times on the design. Download the components you like. Throw away the rest.

v0 / Bolt · Best for rapid UI prototyping

Build with Cursor. Full Codebase Context

Now you're in the real code editor. Cursor is your main builder because it understands your entire project, not just the file you're looking at. Here's how to use it well:

• Add your Claude spec as a file, put `SPEC.md` in your project root. Cursor reads it for context.
• Use Composer mode for multi-file changes, "add authentication to the app" and it edits routes, middleware, and components together
• Use Chat mode for questions, "why is this API route returning 500?" with full project awareness
• Use Cmd+K for inline edits, highlight code, describe the change, done

This is where 80% of your coding time goes. Cursor replaces GPT-in-a-browser because it has your codebase, not just a chat window.

Cursor · Best for building features

Copilot for In-Line Suggestions

While Cursor handles big tasks, Copilot handles the small ones. It lives in your editor and autocompletes as you type. Think of it as predictive text for code:

• Writing repetitive code, map functions, type definitions, test cases
• Completing patterns, start a function, Copilot finishes it based on the pattern
• Import statements, it knows what you need before you type it
• Boilerplate. API handlers, form validation, config files

Copilot + Cursor work together. Cursor is the architect; Copilot is the fast typist. Use both.

GitHub Copilot · Best for inline autocomplete

When to Use Which. The Honest Comparison

Here's the cheat sheet. Bookmark this.