How AI IDEs Are Supercharging My Productivity

Over the last week, I've been experimenting with AI-powered IDEs—specifically Cursor—and I've been blown away by how much they improve my workflow. In this post, I'll share my experiences with Cursor, why I love its features, and a sneak peek into my plans to compare it with Windsurf in the future.

Quick and Seamless Content Swapping

One of the standout benefits of using Cursor is its ability to switch out content quickly. Whether I'm implementing new features or building custom tooling, Cursor makes it easy to swap in new code in situ. I can review the changes immediately before accepting them, ensuring that every modification is exactly what I need.

Smart Prompts and Command Suggestions

I love that Cursor doesn't just update my code—it also prompts me to run essential commands. For instance, it suggests when to install new packages or create new folders. This interactive guidance is a game changer for keeping my development environment organized and efficient.

10x Faster Coding, Testing, and Documentation

Before discovering AI IDEs, writing tests and detailed README files was often an afterthought. With Cursor, I've been able to write my solutions up to 10x faster. Not only am I coding more efficiently, but I'm also creating tests and comprehensive documentation that I previously skipped due to tight deadlines. This holistic improvement in my workflow is incredibly satisfying.

A Seamless Transition from VS Code

Another major win is the seamless installation and setup. Switching from VS Code to Cursor was effortless. The "copy extensions" button allowed me to duplicate my entire VS Code setup without any hassle, making the transition smooth and straightforward.

Looking Ahead: Comparing with Windsurf

I haven't used Windsurf yet, but I'm excited to dive into it soon. I plan to write a comparison article to explore how Windsurf stacks up against Cursor. Stay tuned for that review!

Final Thoughts

If you haven't tried an AI IDE yet, I highly recommend you do. The productivity gains, the smart in situ code changes, and the intuitive command prompts have completely transformed my workflow. Use them!!

Happy coding!