I spent 6 months trying code editors

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores their experiences with various code editors, emphasizing Cursor, Neovim, and Zed. They appreciate Cursor's seamless AI integration, including autocomplete and imports, as well as its ability to guide the AI's behavior through Cursor Rules. The speaker highlights the rapid evolution of AI-driven tools and their impact on development workflows. While they enjoy experimenting with different editors, they express a growing preference for Cursor, considering it the best fit for their needs. The video also briefly mentions other tools like WindSurf and Vzer, encouraging viewers to share their experiences with these editors.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cursor integrates AI effectively into coding workflows, with customizable rules for specific projects.
• 😀 The developer appreciates how Cursor allows AI to assist while keeping human oversight in the loop.
• 😀 Cursor's UX is praised for its resemblance to VS Code, making it familiar and easy to use for developers.
• 😀 The developer has used multiple code editors, including Neovim and Zed, but finds Cursor to be the most favorable for now.
• 😀 Cursor rules, like those from Midday, can be copied into repos and guide AI to follow specific coding practices and preferences.
• 😀 Wind Surf is another AI-powered code editor that has received positive feedback but hasn't been thoroughly explored by the developer yet.
• 😀 Vzer, developed by Vercel, is a tool that allows both developers and non-developers to build applications quickly, especially for React and Next.js.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on how learning Vim earlier might have shaped their career path but still values their journey with other tools.
• 😀 The developer expresses satisfaction with the current state of AI-powered development tools, especially their rapid progress.
• 😀 The video concludes with the developer encouraging viewers to share their experiences with code editors like Cursor, Neovim, or Zed.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video primarily discusses the author's experiences with different AI-powered code editors like Cursor, Neovim, Zed, and Vercel's Vzer, while also touching on how these tools integrate AI to improve development workflows.

What makes Cursor stand out for the author compared to other code editors?

The author appreciates Cursor for its integration of AI-powered features like autocomplete and managing imports. Its UX patterns align well with their experience in the VS Code environment, making it their favorite tool for the moment.

How does Cursor's integration of 'cursor rules' enhance development?

Cursor's 'cursor rules' allow developers to steer AI behavior in specific directions by defining preferred practices and configurations for different technologies like React, Next.js, and TypeScript, ensuring a consistent coding experience.

Why does the author appreciate using AI in their development workflow?

AI tools, such as the autocomplete and code suggestions, help streamline the coding process, making it easier and faster to work with different programming languages and frameworks, especially when handling repetitive tasks.

What does the author mention about Neovim and Zed in the context of their workflow?

The author reflects on their positive experiences with Neovim's customizability and Zed's collaborative features. While Neovim offers more control, Zed emphasizes collaboration. However, the author currently prefers Cursor over both.

What is Wind Surf, and why is it significant to the author?

Wind Surf is another AI-powered code editor the author hasn't tried yet but has heard positive feedback about. It's noted as a tool that many developers enjoy, and the author plans to explore it in the future.

What role does Vercel's Vzer play in the developer ecosystem?

Vzer is a tool by Vercel that assists developers (and non-developers) in building applications by generating both frontend and backend code. It’s particularly useful for generating UI components, especially for React or Next.js apps.

How does the author perceive the development tools space in general?

The author believes the current state of development tools, particularly with AI advancements, is exciting. There are numerous tools rapidly improving, and developers now have access to more efficient ways of writing and managing code.

If the author could go back in time, which tool would they start learning first, and why?

The author mentions that they would start learning Vim from the beginning, citing its importance in their development journey. While they had a good time with Neovim and Zed, Vim would have potentially changed the course of their workflow.

What is the author's overall take on Cursor compared to other tools like Neovim and Zed?

The author expresses a deep appreciation for Cursor, describing it as their favorite tool at the moment. While Neovim and Zed each have their strengths, Cursor is the one that stands out due to its user experience and AI integration.