It sounds like you're generally unfamiliar with using AI to help you at all? Or maybe you're also being disingenuous? It's insanely easy to figure this stuff out, I literally know a dozen people who are not even engineers, have no programming experience, who use these tools. Here's what Claude (the free version at claude.ai) said in response to me saying "i have no idea how to use AI coding assistants, can you succinctly explain to me what i need to do? like, what do i download, run, etc in order to try different models and services, what are the best tools and what do they do?":
Here's a quick guide to get you started with AI coding assistants:
## Quick Start Options (Easiest)
*1. Web-based (Nothing to Download)*
- *Claude.ai* - You're here! I can help with code, debug, explain concepts
- *ChatGPT* - Similar capabilities, different model
- *GitHub Copilot Chat* - Web interface if you have GitHub account
*2. IDE Extensions (Most Popular)*
- *Cursor* - Full VS Code replacement with AI built-in. Download from cursor.com, works out of the box
- *GitHub Copilot* - Install as VS Code/JetBrains extension ($10/month), autocompletes as you type
- *Continue* - Free, open-source VS Code extension, lets you use multiple models
*3. Command Line*
- *Claude Code* - Anthropic's terminal tool for autonomous coding tasks. Install via `npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code`
- *Aider* - Open-source CLI tool that edits files directly
## What They Do
- *Autocomplete tools* (Copilot, Cursor) - Suggest code as you type, finish functions
- *Chat tools* (Claude, ChatGPT) - Explain, debug, design systems, write full programs
- *Autonomous tools* (Claude Code, Aider) - Actually edit your files, make changes across codebases
## My Recommendation to Start
1. Try *Cursor* first - download it, paste in some code, and ask it questions. It's the most beginner-friendly
2. Or just start here in Claude - paste your code and I can help debug, explain, or write new features
3. Once comfortable, try GitHub Copilot for in-line suggestions while coding
The key is just picking one and trying it - you don't need to understand everything upfront!
Here's a quick guide to get you started with AI coding assistants:
## Quick Start Options (Easiest)
*1. Web-based (Nothing to Download)* - *Claude.ai* - You're here! I can help with code, debug, explain concepts - *ChatGPT* - Similar capabilities, different model - *GitHub Copilot Chat* - Web interface if you have GitHub account
*2. IDE Extensions (Most Popular)* - *Cursor* - Full VS Code replacement with AI built-in. Download from cursor.com, works out of the box - *GitHub Copilot* - Install as VS Code/JetBrains extension ($10/month), autocompletes as you type - *Continue* - Free, open-source VS Code extension, lets you use multiple models
*3. Command Line* - *Claude Code* - Anthropic's terminal tool for autonomous coding tasks. Install via `npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code` - *Aider* - Open-source CLI tool that edits files directly
## What They Do
- *Autocomplete tools* (Copilot, Cursor) - Suggest code as you type, finish functions - *Chat tools* (Claude, ChatGPT) - Explain, debug, design systems, write full programs - *Autonomous tools* (Claude Code, Aider) - Actually edit your files, make changes across codebases
## My Recommendation to Start
1. Try *Cursor* first - download it, paste in some code, and ask it questions. It's the most beginner-friendly 2. Or just start here in Claude - paste your code and I can help debug, explain, or write new features 3. Once comfortable, try GitHub Copilot for in-line suggestions while coding
The key is just picking one and trying it - you don't need to understand everything upfront!