How to Use AI for Coding: Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)

Using AI for coding means letting AI help you write, edit, and understand code. This guide walks you through setup, workflows, and habits that make it practical.

Quick Answer

1. Choose a tool — extension (GitHub Copilot, Continue), IDE (Cursor, Windsurf), or browser builder (Bolt.new, v0).
2. Install and sign in — follow the tool's setup flow.
3. Describe what you want in clear language, review the output, and iterate.
4. Start small — e.g., "add a button that fetches data" — and build from there.

Step 1: Choose Your Tool

See our best AI tools for VS Code and cursor tutorial for deeper guides.

Step 2: Install and Configure

Extensions (VS Code):

1. Open Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X).
2. Search for your tool (e.g., "GitHub Copilot" or "Continue").
3. Install and sign in (or add API keys for tools like Continue).

AI IDEs:

1. Download from cursor.com or windsurf.com.
2. Sign up and activate.
3. Open a project folder and start a prompt.

Browser builders:

1. Go to bolt.new, v0.dev, or lovable.dev.
2. Sign in.
3. Describe your project or pick a template.

Step 3: Learn the Core Workflows

Inline completions

• Type or write a comment; gray "ghost" suggestions appear.
• Press Tab to accept, Esc to dismiss.
• Use Alt+] / Alt+[ (Windows/Linux) or Option+] / Option+[ (Mac) to cycle suggestions.

Chat / prompt

• Open the chat panel (side or inline).
• Describe what you want: "Add a loading spinner to the Login component."
• Review the proposed changes before applying.

Multi-file edits (Cursor, Windsurf)

• Use Composer or Cascade to describe a change across files.
• Review diffs per file.
• Accept or reject each change.

Vibe coding (browser builders)

• Describe the app or feature in plain language.
• Iterate with feedback: "Add a dark mode toggle" or "Make the hero section taller."

Step 4: Write Better Prompts

Do:

• Be specific: "Add a /profile route that fetches from /api/user and shows name and avatar."
• Include context: "Use our existing Button component from components/Button.tsx."
• Break work into steps: One feature or bug per prompt.

Avoid:

• Vague requests: "Fix the bug" or "improve the code."
• Huge scope: "Build a full e-commerce site" in one prompt.
• Skipping review: Always check output before committing.

Step 5: Build a Sustainable Loop

Common Pitfalls

Final Takeaways

1. Clear prompts + small steps + careful review — that is the sustainable loop.
2. Start with one tool that matches your environment and one concrete task.
3. Use our directory and compare page to explore options.

Related guides: Best AI tools for VS Code | cursor-tutorial">How to use Cursor | What is vibe coding? | Free AI coding tools