MLA 022 Code AI Tools

Machine Learning Guide

Notes and resources at ocdevel.com/mlg/mla-22

Try a walking desk to stay healthy while you study or work!

UPDATE 2025-04-08: After much tinkering, I currently favor Roo Code. Plus either gemini-2.5-pro-exp-03-25 for Architect, Boomerang, or Code with large contexts. And Claude 3.7 for code with small contexts, eg Boomerang subtasks. Many others favor Cursor, Aider, or Cline. Copilot and Windsurf are less vogue lately. I found Copilot to struggle more; and their pricing - previously their winning point - is less compelling now.

Why I favor Roo. The default settings have it as stable and effective as Cline, Cursor. But you can tinker more with these settings - eg, for Gemini 2.5 I disable partial file reads (since it has a huge context window). Their modes are elegantly just custom system prompts (an oversimplification), making custom workflows very powerful. A potent example is their Boomerang Mode, which is an orchestrator that delegates planning and edit subtasks, to keep context windows tight. Boomerang mode specifically is a plugin-seller, it's incredibly powerful. Aider is still a darn decent exacto-knife, but as Roo has grown, I haven't found much need for Aider.

Tools discussed:

1. Roo Code
2. Aider
3. Cursor
4. Cline
5. Copilot
6. Windsurf

Other:

1. Leaderboards
2. Video of speed-demon
3. Reddit

"Vibe coding" is a transformative approach to software development that utilizes AI to aid in code generation and project management. Developers are increasingly relying on a range of AI-driven tools and IDE plugins to enhance productivity and streamline the coding process.

Concepts of Vibe Coding Use of AI in Code Generation

• AI tools facilitate the generation and editing of code.
• Integration typically occurs within IDEs or as plugins.
• These tools offer features like inline editing, bug fixing, and project scaffolding.

Evolution and Adoption

• The concept is gaining popularity due to its efficiency and competitive edge in development.

Popular AI Tools for Vibe Coding Cursor

• Characteristics: Most popular, stable, with advanced agentic capabilities.
• Pricing: $20 per month, additional charges for power-use.
• Strengths: Reliable, focuses on integrating new models effectively.

Windsurf

• Characteristics: Cost-effective, a VS Code fork.
• Pricing: Starts at $15, with higher usage at $60.
• Strengths: Similar to Cursor, with a competitive pricing model.

GitHub Copilot

• Characteristics: Operates within GitHub code spaces, developed by Microsoft.
• Pricing: $10 to $40 monthly.
• Strengths: Deep integration with cloud-based development environments.

Cline

• Characteristics: Open-source, known for customizable features.
• Pricing: BYOM (Bring Your Own Model), costs based on individual API usage.
• Strengths: Community-driven, rapid development cycles.

Roo Code

• Characteristics: Fast-moving, offers the latest technological advancements.
• Pricing: Uses BYOM model, similar to Cline.
• Strengths: Frequent updates, for users wanting cutting-edge features.

Aider

• Characteristics: CLI-based, focuses on precision and minimal token usage.
• Pricing: BYOM, efficient token usage strategies.
• Strengths: High accuracy for small adjustments, good for backup use.

Implementation Choosing the Right Tool

• Beginner Recommendation: Start with Cursor for reliability.
• Experimentation: Try Copilot and Windsurf for comparisons.
• Advanced Configuration: Use Kline or Roo Code for sophisticated tasks and ER for precise adjustments.

Cost Management

• Open Router: Centralize API billing to manage interactions across multiple models, preventing fragmented payments.