A Practical Guide to AI Development
This guide will show you how to set up and use the essential tools for AI-assisted development. You'll learn how to choose the right tools, optimize your workflow, and integrate different tools effectively.
Having the right tools and workflows is like having a well-organized kitchen - everything is where you need it when you need it. Good tool selection and workflow optimization make development smoother and more efficient.
# Cursor Essential Setup ## Required Models 1. Primary: Claude 3.5 Sonnet (20241022) - Default for most tasks - Best for code generation - Strong at explanation 2. Backup: Gemini Models - Specific use cases - Alternative perspective - Different strengths 3. Fallback: GPT-4 - Complex problem solving - When other models struggle - Specialized tasks ## Key Settings - Enable agent mode - Configure keyboard shortcuts - Set up file associations - Enable terminal integration
# Cursor Modes ## Agent Mode (Recommended) - Full file system access - Terminal integration - Enhanced context - Best for development ## Chat Mode - Quick queries - Documentation checks - Simple clarifications - Status updates
# Voice Input Configuration ## Tool: Whisper Flow - Free tier available - High accuracy - Quick response time - Multiple language support ## Best Uses 1. Long explanations 2. Complex instructions 3. Documentation dictation 4. Quick commands ## Setup Steps 1. Install Whisper Flow 2. Configure shortcuts 3. Test recognition 4. Create command templates
# Development Session ## Session Start - [ ] Clear objectives - [ ] Relevant files ready - [ ] Tools configured - [ ] Documentation open ## During Session - [ ] Track context usage - [ ] Document decisions - [ ] Save key snippets - [ ] Monitor performance ## Session End - [ ] Summarize progress - [ ] Document next steps - [ ] Save context state - [ ] Update tasks
# Search Process ## Using Perplexity 1. Format query using template: Looking for: [specific topic] Version: [if applicable] Context: [current setup] Need: [exact requirement] 2. Cross-reference results: - Check multiple sources - Verify version match - Test solutions locally - Document findings 3. Integration: - Test in isolation - Document changes - Update related files - Add to knowledge base
# Update Schedule ## Daily - Check tool status - Update documentation - Monitor performance - Log issues ## Weekly - Review workflows - Update scripts - Check versions - Test integrations ## Monthly - Major version updates - Process reviews - Team training - Tool evaluation
Start with essential tools and add more as needed. Too many tools can lead to confusion and reduced productivity.