How I code 159% Faster using AI (Cursor + Sonnet 3.5)
TLDRThis video explores Cursor, an AI-enhanced code editor based on Visual Studio Code, which significantly boosts coding speed. The author demonstrates how Cursor's AI features, like the chat window and command shortcuts, streamline coding tasks and refactoring. By comparing traditional coding with Cursor's assistance, the video showcases a 159% increase in coding efficiency. Features like the composer, image recognition for code generation, and intelligent code search within the codebase are highlighted, illustrating how Cursor can transform the coding experience.
Takeaways
- ๐ Cursor is a new code editor based on Visual Studio Code with integrated AI features designed to significantly speed up coding processes.
- ๐ The creator found that using Cursor made them 2.5 times faster in coding, even with their years of coding experience.
- ๐ป To get started with Cursor, one needs to download it from cursor.com, where it offers a free tier and a Pro Plan for additional features.
- ๐ The Pro Plan at $20/month is recommended for access to advanced models like Claude Sonnet 3.5, which can greatly enhance coding efficiency.
- ๐ ๏ธ Cursor's interface is familiar to Visual Studio Code users, allowing for a smooth transition and includes features like theme customization and plugin support.
- ๐ The AI in Cursor can make precise code changes when given specific instructions through the 'Control K' command.
- ๐๏ธ The 'Control L' command opens a chat window that acts like an AI assistant, already familiar with the codebase for context-aware suggestions.
- ๐ Cursor allows for multi-file changes and feature additions through its chat interface, streamlining complex tasks into a conversation with the AI.
- ๐ง The AI-generated code can be reviewed, modified, and applied directly, making the integration of AI suggestions into the codebase seamless.
- ๐ The 'Control Z' command in Cursor provides the ability to undo changes, offering a way to review and refine AI suggestions.
- ๐จ Cursor's image feature enables the generation of code from design screenshots, providing a quick start for UI implementations.
- ๐ The autocomplete and auto-tab features in Cursor predict and suggest code completions, enhancing manual coding speed and accuracy.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is about using an AI-powered code editor called Cursor to increase coding speed and efficiency.
How does Cursor differ from Visual Studio Code?
-Cursor is based on Visual Studio Code but has AI features built directly into it, which can help in coding much faster by making intelligent suggestions and modifications to the code.
What is the significance of the Pro Plan in Cursor?
-The Pro Plan in Cursor, which costs $20 a month, provides additional features and almost unlimited usage of some of the best AI models like Claude Sonnet 3.5, offering a faster coding experience.
How does the AI in Cursor help with code iteration?
-The AI in Cursor helps with code iteration by allowing users to highlight code and then press control K to give instructions to the AI for making specific changes or improvements to the code.
What is the primary feature of Cursor that the video creator finds most useful?
-The video creator finds the chat window feature (activated by pressing control or command L) most useful, as it allows for a conversational interface with the AI to make complex changes to the codebase.
How does Cursor handle changes made by its AI?
-Cursor allows users to review and accept or reject changes made by the AI. It also provides the ability to undo changes, ensuring that users have control over the final code.
What is an example of a feature added to the application in the video?
-An example of a feature added in the video is the ability to associate profile pictures with contact cards in the application called Quiron or QR contact.
How does Cursor assist in adding new features to an application?
-Cursor assists by writing code snippets or entire sections of code based on user requests through its chat interface, streamlining the process of adding new features to an application.
What is the process for adding an image upload feature to a contact card as demonstrated in the video?
-The process involves modifying the configuration page to include an image upload button, handling the file on the client side, sending it to the server, and then storing it in a cloud storage bucket while updating the card with the image URL in the database.
What is the 'Composer' feature in Cursor and how does it help with coding?
-The 'Composer' is a feature in Cursor designed for handling multi-file interactions, allowing users to create new files and refactor existing ones in a more organized manner, which can be faster than changing files one by one.
What autocomplete features does Cursor offer to assist with manual coding?
-Cursor offers autocomplete suggestions for code snippets, as well as an 'Auto Tab' feature that predicts and autocompletes the next lines of code based on the user's current input, streamlining the manual coding process.
How can Cursor help in searching through a large codebase?
-Cursor can search the entire codebase intelligently by indexing all files, allowing users to ask specific questions about variables or functions and providing direct references to where they are set or used within the code.
Outlines
๐ Introduction to Cursor: AI-Powered Code Editor
The script introduces Cursor, a new code editor built on Visual Studio Code but enhanced with AI features designed to significantly speed up coding. The author compares coding with Cursor to coding with their own experience and Google searches, finding Cursor to be 2.5 times faster. The editor is available for free to some extent, with additional features available through a Pro Plan subscription. The Pro Plan includes access to advanced AI models like Claude and Sonet 3.5. The author demonstrates Cursor's capabilities by iterating on an application called 'QR contact', which exchanges contact information via QR codes, and highlights Cursor's ability to understand and work with the existing codebase.
๐ ๏ธ Utilizing Cursor's AI Features for Code Iteration
This paragraph delves into the practical use of Cursor's AI features, such as the command 'Control K' for making targeted code changes based on user instructions, and 'Control L' for opening a chat window that acts like an advanced version of chat GPT, familiar with the codebase. The author illustrates how Cursor can generate and apply code changes, including adding padding to a button and changing a trash icon to a menu icon with minimal user input. The chat window's ability to reference specific files and the ease of undoing changes are highlighted as key features that streamline the coding process.
๐ Refining Features and Troubleshooting with Cursor's AI
The author discusses refining features in the application by using Cursor's AI to troubleshoot and make iterative changes. They describe an issue with a menu not disappearing as expected and how they used Cursor to add clickaway functionality to resolve it. The paragraph also covers the process of adding a significant new featureโimage uploads for contact cardsโwhich involves multiple files and components. The AI's capability to understand context and make comprehensive changes across files is emphasized, along with the author's strategy of using the AI to achieve about 80% of the work, with the remaining 20% refined manually.
๐ธ Implementing Image Uploads and Reviewing Code Changes
The script describes the process of implementing image uploads for contact cards, including configuring the client-side upload feature and server-side changes for handling file storage. The author reviews the code generated by Cursor for security and functionality, making adjustments as necessary. They highlight the use of Google Cloud Storage and the importance of specifying the correct storage bucket. The paragraph concludes with a minor issue encountered during testing, which the author addresses by iterating on the code with Cursor's AI assistance.
๐ง Refactoring Code with Cursor's AI and Introducing the Composer
After adding new features, the author discusses the need to refactor the growing codebase for better manageability. They introduce Cursor's 'Composer' feature, designed for multi-file interactions, and demonstrate its use in creating new files and organizing code. However, they encounter issues with the Composer's beta version, which leads to a decision to revert to manual refactoring using the sidebar. The paragraph also mentions Cursor's autocomplete features, which facilitate writing and refactoring code more efficiently.
๐ผ๏ธ Using Cursor's Image-to-Code Feature and Advanced Autocomplete
The final paragraph showcases Cursor's ability to generate code from images, which is particularly useful for quickly implementing designs. The author describes using a screenshot of a design to generate code for a contact preview card, making adjustments to achieve the desired layout. They also highlight Cursor's advanced autocomplete feature, which predicts and suggests code completions, and its intelligent search functionality for navigating large codebases. The script concludes with an invitation for viewers to ask questions and a summary of how Cursor can enhance coding speed.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กCursor
๐กAI Features
๐กCode Editor
๐กPro Plan
๐กAPI Keys
๐กCode Refactoring
๐กAutocomplete
๐กChat Window
๐กQR Code
๐กCodebase
๐กComposer
Highlights
Cursor is a new code editor based on Visual Studio Code with AI features for faster coding.
The author found coding 2.5 times faster using Cursor compared to traditional methods.
Cursor can be downloaded from cursor.com and offers a smooth transition for Visual Studio Code users.
Cursor's Pro Plan at $20/month offers additional features and access to advanced AI models like Claude Sonnet 3.5.
AI integration in Cursor allows for code iteration with the Command+K shortcut for precise changes.
Cursor's undo feature allows reverting AI changes and reviewing code before acceptance.
Control+L summons a chat window for making extensive codebase changes with AI assistance.
Cursor indexes the entire project for AI to reference, enhancing the accuracy of code suggestions.
Users can specify which files Cursor should reference for targeted AI code modifications.
AI-generated code can be reviewed and applied directly within Cursor's interface.
Cursor facilitates iterative development, allowing for ongoing refinement of AI suggestions.
The chat window in Cursor can handle multi-file changes and large feature implementations.
Cursor's AI can write code for new features, such as image uploading in contact cards.
AI assistance in Cursor can significantly reduce the time spent on coding large features.
Cursor's autocomplete and predictive text features speed up manual coding tasks.
The composer feature in Cursor, though in beta, aims to streamline multi-file refactoring.
Cursor's image recognition can generate code from design screenshots, aiding in UI implementation.
Cursor's intelligent search helps navigate large codebases by locating specific code usage.
Cursor's AI can refactor code into smaller, more readable functions upon request.
The video demonstrates a significant increase in coding speed and efficiency with Cursor's AI features.