I was wrong about Claude Code (UPDATED AI workflow tutorial)

Summary

In this video, Chris discusses his transition from Cursor to Claude Code for his AI coding workflow. He outlines the advantages of Claude Code, including its powerful problem-solving capabilities, unique features like plan mode, sub-agents, and integration with external resources. He shares specific examples where Claude Code outperformed Cursor in tasks like building complex features and porting apps across platforms. Despite the high cost and some workflow challenges, Chris emphasizes that Claude Code offers substantial value for professional developers. He concludes by recommending it to those who make money through software development, while suggesting hobbyists stick with Cursor.

Takeaways

• 😀 Claude Code has become Chris's new AI coding tool after using Cursor for over a year, offering better performance for complex coding tasks.
• 😀 Claude Code operates directly in the terminal and can be integrated into any codebase, unlike Cursor, which is an AI tool inside a code editor.
• 😀 The new Claude Code pricing introduced by Anthropic, particularly the $200 plan, removes token-based pricing, making it suitable for heavy AI coding workloads.
• 😀 Plan mode in Claude Code helps users review problem-solving strategies before executing any code changes, ensuring better outcomes.
• 😀 Claude Code requires generating a Claude MD file (similar to Cursor rules) that acts as the brain of the AI, guiding it through tasks.
• 😀 Frequent Git commits act as a manual checkpoint system for users of Claude Code, providing a workaround for the lack of restore functionality seen in Cursor.
• 😀 Claude Code supports contextual information by allowing the upload of screenshots and entire folders, enhancing its understanding of complex tasks.
• 😀 Claude Code can access the web for documentation searches, eliminating the need for users to manually input links, saving time in development.
• 😀 Sub-agents in Claude Code can run tasks in parallel, significantly speeding up large-scale operations, such as porting apps across platforms.
• 😀 Chris emphasizes the importance of reviewing the generated code, even with Claude Code's advanced capabilities, to ensure accuracy and quality.
• 😀 Despite the benefits, the high cost of Claude Code, especially for developers on a budget, is a major downside, making it more suitable for professional developers.

Q & A

Why did the creator decide to switch from Cursor to Claude Code?

The creator switched to Claude Code after noticing better performance and faster results when solving complex coding problems. Despite using Cursor with Claude Opus for Max, Claude Code was able to deliver superior solutions, especially in handling more complicated tasks.

How does Claude Code differ from Cursor's AI features?

Claude Code is a coding agent that operates in the terminal, whereas Cursor is a code editor. Claude Code is more focused on generating solutions for coding problems directly from the terminal, without being integrated into a full code editor like Cursor.

What is the 'plan mode' in Claude Code, and how is it used?

Plan mode in Claude Code allows the agent to think through a problem without generating or modifying any code. The creator uses it to review a proposed solution thoroughly before giving the go-ahead for the agent to execute it.

What is the purpose of the Claude MD file?

The Claude MD file serves as the memory or set of rules for Claude Code when working on a project. It helps Claude remember context or modifications, ensuring that it can follow specific instructions for subsequent tasks.

How does the creator manage code checkpoints when using Claude Code?

Unlike Cursor, which has a built-in restore feature, Claude Code lacks this functionality. The creator manages checkpoints manually using Git, committing changes and reverting them when necessary to maintain control over the coding process.

What role do screenshots and folder context play in Claude Code?

Screenshots and folders are used to provide Claude Code with additional context. The creator often drags in design images, error screenshots, or folders from other codebases to help Claude understand a larger context or make informed decisions during coding.

How does Claude Code handle multiple codebases?

Claude Code allows the creator to drag in entire folders from different codebases, providing it with more context for specific tasks. Although not officially supported, this method allows Claude Code to interact with multiple codebases in parallel.

What is the advantage of using URLs with Claude Code?

Claude Code can access external documentation through URLs, enabling it to read and retrieve context directly from the web. This is useful for working with APIs or unfamiliar technologies, as Claude can search the web for up-to-date documentation.

What is the purpose of sub-agents in Claude Code, and how does the creator use them?

Sub-agents in Claude Code are parallel instances that can work on tasks simultaneously, increasing efficiency. The creator used them to port an entire iOS app to Android, breaking down the task into smaller parts that ran in parallel to speed up the process.

Why does the creator emphasize reviewing the code generated by Claude Code?

The creator stresses reviewing the code generated by Claude Code because it’s important to ensure quality. Despite Claude Code's impressive performance, reviewing the output prevents blindly accepting errors and maintains high standards in development.

What is the cost of using Claude Code, and is it affordable for most developers?

Claude Code costs around $200 per month for the full plan, which is necessary for effective use. While it can be highly valuable for professional developers, the creator notes that this cost is prohibitive for many developers, especially hobbyists or beginners.

How does Claude Code's performance compare to Cursor in terms of solving complex tasks?

Claude Code has outperformed Cursor in handling more complex tasks. Examples include custom drag-and-drop animations and integrating complex calendar features. Claude Code was able to achieve results in a fraction of the time Cursor struggled with.