How to Code with AI in Minutes

1. Create a GitHub Account or Log In

If you don't have a GitHub account yet, head to GitHub.com and create one. If you already have an account, simply log in. GitHub is the platform where you'll store and manage your code, and it's essential for using CodeSpaces effectively.

2. Create a New Repository and Open it in CodeSpaces

After logging in, create a new repository (repo) for your project. This will be where all your code lives. Once your repository is set up, click the "Code" dropdown and select Open in CodeSpaces. GitHub CodeSpaces provides a full-featured development environment directly in the cloud, saving you from the hassle of setting up a local environment and allowing you to start coding immediately with all necessary pre-configured tools. You can code right in your browser from your puny laptop.

3. Create an OpenRouter Account and Get Your API Key

Visit OpenRouter.ai to create an account. Once you've signed up, navigate to your account settings to generate an API key. This key is crucial as it enables you to connect and interact with various AI models, which can help you build and refine your code more efficiently. There are free AIs you can use, but spend $10, and you'll get your money's worth.

4. Install Cline in Your VSCode in CodeSpaces

Cline is a powerful VS Code extension that integrates directly into your development environment. To install Cline in your CodeSpaces VS Code instance, search for "Cline" in the Extensions Marketplace within VS Code and click Install.

Cline allows you to interact seamlessly with AI models from within your IDE, streamlining your workflow by integrating AI-powered suggestions and making it easy to access advanced coding assistance without leaving your editor.

5. Configure Cline with Your OpenRouter Key and Choose Claude 3.5 Beta

Once Cline is installed, you must configure it with your OpenRouter API key to connect to the AI models. To do this, follow these steps:

• Open Cline settings in VS Code, hit the gear icon and paste in your API key.
• Choose Claude 3.5 Beta as the AI model to assist you in your development.

Claude 3.5 Beta is a cutting-edge model that provides contextual coding suggestions, creative problem-solving, and innovative solutions, making it a powerful asset in your development toolkit.

6. Tell Cline What You Want to Build

Now it's time to start building! Use Cline to tell the AI exactly what you want to create. For example, you can start with something like:

"Create a Twitter clone that will let me rule the world!"

The AI will help you generate boilerplate code, create components, and even suggest improvements. The more descriptive you are about your requirements, the more precise the AI will be. Don't hesitate to experiment and refine your inputs to get the best results.

7. Iterate, Refine, and Improve

Once the initial code is generated, review it carefully and iterate upon it. The AI can make further adjustments based on your feedback. Add more details, tweak the generated components, or completely refactor sections. This collaborative development process allows the AI to act as your coding partner, supporting and enhancing your productivity while you maintain creative control.

8. Commit and Push Your Changes Regularly

Regularly committing your changes helps keep your work organized and ensures that you can track the progress effectively.

Committing often keeps your project history clean, making it easy to revert if necessary. Once your changes are committed, push them to GitHub to ensure your code is backed up and accessible from anywhere.

AI coding breaks often, so you're going to want to be able to revert to a point that worked.

9. Deploy Your Project

Once you're satisfied with the code, it's time to deploy your project to a hosting platform. CodeSpaces integrates seamlessly with services like Vercel or Netlify, allowing you to deploy your application with minimal configuration. Follow their deployment guides, and you'll have your project live and accessible in no time.

Final Thoughts

Using GitHub CodeSpaces, OpenRouter, and Cline, with AI models like Claude 3.5, makes coding faster, more creative, and more accessible than ever. By combining a cloud development environment with advanced AI tools, you can focus on building and iterating rather than getting bogged down in setup and boilerplate code. Start small, iterate often, and let AI boost your productivity. Happy coding! If you want more help with this, send me a message.