Testing AI Development Tools: From ChatGPT to Cursor (and Beyond)

Are you searching for the best AI development assistant to boost your productivity? In this post, I share my hands-on experience with top AI coding tools—ChatGPT, Continue in VS Code, Ollama, Cursor, and a preview of Claude Code—and reveal why Cursor is my current favorite for daily development.

ChatGPT: The Gateway Drug

ChatGPT was my first introduction to AI-assisted development. It’s like having a knowledgeable coding partner who can:

• Explain complex concepts in simple terms
• Help debug issues with detailed explanations
• Generate boilerplate code quickly
• Suggest alternative approaches

Pros:

• Excellent at explaining concepts
• Great for learning new technologies
• Can handle complex problem-solving
• Widely available and well-integrated

Cons:

• Context switching between browser and IDE
• No direct file access or project awareness
• Sometimes generates outdated code
• Limited to conversation format

Verdict: Still my go-to for learning and complex problem-solving, but not ideal for day-to-day coding.

Continue in VS Code: The Integrated Approach

Continue brings AI directly into VS Code, offering:

• Inline code suggestions
• Chat interface within the editor
• File-aware conversations
• Command palette integration

Pros:

• Seamless VS Code integration
• Can reference and modify your actual code
• Good for refactoring and code review
• Maintains context across files

Cons:

• Sometimes feels clunky and slow
• Limited to VS Code ecosystem
• Chat interface can be overwhelming
• Not always the most accurate suggestions

Verdict: A solid improvement over ChatGPT for coding, but the interface felt a bit heavy-handed.

Ollama: The Local Powerhouse

Ollama is a game-changer for privacy-conscious development. Running models locally means:

• Complete privacy and data control
• No internet dependency
• Customizable model selection
• Offline development capability

Pros:

• Privacy-first approach
• Runs completely locally
• Multiple model options (Llama, CodeLlama, etc.)
• No usage limits or costs

Cons:

• Requires significant computational resources
• Models may be less up-to-date than cloud options
• Setup and configuration complexity
• Limited integration with IDEs

Verdict: Excellent for privacy and offline work, but the setup overhead and resource requirements make it less practical for daily use.

Cursor: The Sweet Spot for AI Coding

Cursor has become my daily driver for AI-assisted development. It’s built on VS Code but with AI deeply integrated:

• AI chat that understands your entire codebase
• Inline code generation and editing
• Intelligent code completion
• Built-in terminal with AI assistance
• Seamless file navigation and editing

Pros:

• Perfect balance of power and usability
• Excellent codebase understanding
• Fast and responsive
• Great for both small edits and large refactoring
• Built-in terminal with AI assistance
• Can generate entire features from descriptions

Cons:

• Requires internet connection
• Subscription model for advanced features
• Still relatively new, so some bugs exist

Verdict: This is where I’ve found my sweet spot. Cursor feels like the future of development.

Claude Code: The Next AI Assistant to Watch

I’ve recently seen Claude Code gaining traction as a promising AI code assistant. While I haven’t tested it yet, it’s on my radar for future experiments. If you’ve tried Claude Code, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Why Cursor Wins for My Workflow

After testing all four tools extensively, here’s why Cursor has become my favorite:

1. Intelligent Context Awareness

Cursor doesn’t just see the current file—it understands your entire project structure, dependencies, and coding patterns. This leads to much more relevant suggestions.

2. Seamless Workflow Integration

Unlike ChatGPT’s browser-based approach or Continue’s heavy interface, Cursor feels like a natural extension of my development environment.

3. Powerful Code Generation

I can describe a feature in plain English, and Cursor will generate the complete implementation, including tests, documentation, and proper error handling.

4. Excellent Refactoring Support

Need to rename a function across 50 files? Cursor handles it intelligently, understanding the context and making appropriate changes.

5. Built-in Terminal AI

The integrated terminal with AI assistance is a game-changer for debugging and system administration tasks.

My Current AI Coding Workflow

Here’s how I use these tools together:

• Cursor: Daily coding, debugging, and feature development
• ChatGPT: Learning new technologies and complex problem-solving
• Ollama: When I need to work offline or handle sensitive code
• Continue: Occasionally for VS Code-specific tasks

Leveraging Remote-SSH with Cursor for Homelab Development

One of the most powerful combinations I’ve discovered is using Cursor with Remote-SSH to code directly into my VMs. This setup has transformed my development workflow:

The Setup

• Cursor’s Remote-SSH extension connects directly to my homelab VMs
• I can edit files, run terminals, and use AI assistance all within the remote environment
• No more file syncing or context switching between local and remote

Why This Works So Well

1. Direct VM Access: I can code directly on the same system where the code runs
2. AI Context Awareness: Cursor understands the entire remote codebase, including dependencies and environment
3. Terminal Integration: Built-in terminal with AI assistance for debugging and system administration
4. Real-time Development: Changes are immediately available for testing without deployment steps

Perfect for Homelab Development

This setup is particularly powerful for homelab projects like this blog. I can:

• Edit Hugo templates and content directly on the server
• Test changes instantly without build/deploy cycles
• Use AI to help with server configuration and troubleshooting
• Maintain version control directly on the remote system

The combination of Cursor’s AI capabilities with direct remote access has made my development process incredibly efficient.

Looking Forward: The Future of AI Code Assistants

The AI development tool landscape is evolving rapidly. With new players like Claude Code entering the scene, I’m excited to see how these tools continue to improve and what new capabilities emerge.

For now, Cursor has earned its place as my primary AI development assistant. It strikes the perfect balance between power, usability, and integration that I’ve been looking for.

Share Your Experience

What’s your experience with AI development tools? Have you found a favorite, or are you still exploring? Have you tried Claude Code or another tool I should check out? Leave a comment below and let’s discuss!

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