How to Start Using AI for Coding
Hey everyone! 👋
Thanks for all the responses to my last post.
After spending some time experimenting with AI chat tools and coding assistants, I wanted to share what I learned and how I think beginners can get started.
You don't need to be an AI expert or know every tool available. Just start small and learn as you go.
1. Start with an AI Chat
The easiest way to get started is by using an AI chat to help with your daily coding tasks.
You can use it to:
- Understand parts of your code.
- Get ideas for implementing a feature.
- Fix bugs and understand error messages.
- Learn new concepts and technologies.
- Review your code and suggest improvements.
I recommend starting with ChatGPT and using it for a week or two. Try different tasks and see how it fits into your workflow.
After that, experiment with other models like Claude or Gemini.
You'll start noticing differences in their responses, coding abilities, and how they approach problems.
In my experience, the model matters more than the brand. Don't limit yourself to just one tool.
2. Try an AI Coding Assistant
Once you're comfortable using AI chat, the next step is letting it work directly with your code.
I recommend trying GitHub Copilot in VS Code.
It's a good way to understand how AI coding assistants work because you can see the changes happening in your project.
You can:
- Ask AI to create or modify files.
- Let it implement features while you follow along.
- Review the changes before accepting them.
- Work on a small project and learn from the generated code.
A good way to learn is to start a simple project and let AI help you build it.
Don't just accept everything it generates. Read the code, ask questions, and try to understand why it made those decisions.
You can even write some code yourself while AI handles other parts of the project.
GitHub Copilot also gives you access to different models, including options from OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini, depending on your plan.
In my current experience, Claude has been particularly good at coding tasks. OpenAI models can also be a good choice for everyday development.
The best option depends on what you're building and how you use it.
3. Give OpenCode a Try
After using GitHub Copilot for a while, I started experimenting with OpenCode.
It's similar to Copilot in what it can do, but it offers a different experience. Instead of working mainly inside your editor, OpenCode is designed around a terminal-based workflow.
You can use it to explore a project, modify files, implement features, and run commands.
One thing I like is that you can get started with some free model options without paying immediately.
I'd recommend trying those first to understand how the tool works. If you enjoy using it, you can consider a paid plan or connect other models using your own API keys.
OpenCode gives you more flexibility in choosing models, but keep in mind that different providers have their own pricing and usage limits.
After testing both tools, I currently prefer OpenCode. However, GitHub Copilot is still a great option, especially if you're learning and want everything integrated into VS Code.
4. Understand Tokens, Requests, and Limits
This is probably one of the most important things to understand when using AI coding tools.
No matter which tool you choose, you'll eventually run into usage limits.
It's worth learning the basics of:
- Tokens: How AI processes the text and code you send.
- Requests: How your interactions with the model are counted.
- Usage limits: How much you can use a model within a given period.
- API costs: How much you may pay when using a model through an API.
Different tools and plans have different limits, so don't assume that paying for one subscription means unlimited usage.
I learned this the hard way when I started using AI coding tools more frequently.
Understanding these limits will help you avoid interruptions and unexpected costs.
Final Thoughts
If you're just getting started, my recommendation is simple:
- Start with an AI chat like ChatGPT.
- Experiment with different models.
- Try GitHub Copilot in VS Code.
- Explore OpenCode when you're ready for a terminal-based workflow.
- Learn how usage limits and API costs work.
You don't need to use every tool or pay for multiple subscriptions right away.
Start with what you have, build something small, and learn how AI can fit into your workflow.
I'm still experimenting with these tools myself, and my preferences may change as they improve.
Thanks for reading!
If you've tried other AI coding tools or have tips for beginners, I'd love to hear about them in the comments. 😄
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