AI Coding: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Windsurf · Lesson 1
The tool map: who is strong where
Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Windsurf, Aider — how they differ and which scenarios they're built for.
Categories
- IDE agents: Cursor, Windsurf — a VS Code-like environment plus a strong agent.
- Terminal agents: Claude Code, Codex CLI, Aider — they work in the shell.
- Cloud agents: Codex Cloud, Devin — they run in a sandbox.
- Former autocomplete: Copilot, Codeium — for writing lines next to the cursor.
When to use what
- Pair programming, editing "in front of your eyes": Cursor / Windsurf.
- Large changes in an existing project, routine work: Claude Code / Codex CLI.
- Long tasks in the background without your attention: Codex Cloud / Devin.
- An assistant without an agent: Copilot.
What matters for a team
- Unify the rules (AGENTS.md / CLAUDE.md / Cursor rules).
- Agree that AI does not write to main without review.
- The budget for API tokens is its own line item.
Practical exercise
What to do after this lesson
Pick 2 tools from the list and run them on the exact same task. Which is faster, which is more accurate, which is cheaper?
Ready-to-use prompt
Template for this lesson
Copy and adapt to your context. Text in angle brackets should be replaced.
Help me choose an AI coding tool. Stack: <…> Repository size: <…> Team: <…> Budget: <…> What matters more — speed / quality / autonomy: <…> Give a recommendation from Claude Code / Cursor / Windsurf / Codex.
Common mistakes
What people get wrong
- Rolling out all the tools at once — chaos.
- Not writing shared rules (AGENTS.md) — every agent behaves its own way.
- Letting AI commit to main without review.
Pro tips
What works but no one documents
- One project — one or two primary tools.
- AGENTS.md sets the style and prohibitions globally.
- Use a worktree for risky tasks.
When to use
Any development in a repo of 1k+ lines.
When not to use
Very small scripts — Copilot is enough there.
Official sources
Квиз — 2 вопроса
1.Which tool is suited for long autonomous tasks in the background?
2.Why have AGENTS.md / CLAUDE.md?
Отвечено: 0 из 2