How to Improve Your Programming Skills with AI in 2 Hours

Let's face it: programming can be daunting, especially if you're trying to level up your skills. You might feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of resources available or unsure where to start. That's where AI comes in. With the right tools, you can enhance your coding skills significantly—often within just a couple of hours. In this guide, I’ll share practical tools and methods that have worked for us in 2026, so you can get straight to improving your programming skills without the fluff.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start

Before we dive in, here’s what you should have:

• A computer: Obviously, you’ll need a device capable of running coding environments.
• An IDE: Install a code editor like Visual Studio Code or JetBrains. Both have robust AI integrations.
• Basic programming knowledge: Familiarity with at least one programming language (Python, JavaScript, etc.) will help you get the most out of these tools.

Tool List: AI Coding Tools to Level Up Your Skills

Here’s a curated list of AI tools that can help you improve your programming skills, along with their pricing, best use cases, and limitations.

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |---------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------|------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo | Code completion | Limited to certain languages, may suggest bad code | We use this for rapid prototyping. | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Autocompletion | Limited features in free version | Great for enhancing productivity. | | Replit | Free + $20/mo for teams | Collaborative coding | Performance issues with larger projects | Use for quick experiments and sharing. | | Codeium | Free | Code suggestions | Limited language support | A solid free option for beginners. | | DeepCode | $19/mo | Code review | Slower updates on new programming patterns | Useful for catching bugs early. | | AI Dungeon | Free + $10/mo pro | Creative coding challenges | Not ideal for serious coding tasks | Fun for exploring coding concepts creatively. | | Snipcart | Free + usage fees | E-commerce integration | Requires knowledge of e-commerce frameworks | We integrate for client projects. | | Codex | $18/mo | Complex code generation | Not always accurate; requires fine-tuning | We use it for generating boilerplate code.| | Ponic | $30/mo | Full-stack development | High cost for solo developers | Not ideal for indie hackers on a budget. | | LeetCode | Free + $35/mo premium | Interview prep | Limited free problems | Best for brushing up before interviews. | | Hackerrank | Free + $30/mo for premium| Coding interviews | Some problems may be outdated | Great for practice, but not comprehensive. | | JetBrains IDEs | $249/yr | Professional development | Expensive for solo users | Worth it if you’re serious about coding. | | OpenAI API | $0-0.002 per token | Custom AI integration | Can get expensive depending on usage | We use it for building custom tools. | | Codewars | Free | Competitive coding | Limited structured learning | Good for sharpening skills through challenges. |

Step-By-Step: How to Use These Tools Effectively

1. Set Up Your Environment (15 minutes)

• Install your IDE: Download and set up Visual Studio Code or JetBrains.
• Integrate AI tools: For example, add GitHub Copilot or Tabnine to your IDE.

2. Choose a Project (30 minutes)

Pick a small project that interests you. It could be a simple web application, a game, or a script. The key is to choose something manageable that utilizes the programming language you want to improve.

3. Code with AI Assistance (1 hour)

• Start coding: Use your chosen AI tools to help you write code. For instance, let GitHub Copilot suggest lines of code as you type.
• Experiment: Don’t hesitate to try different approaches. If you hit a roadblock, use tools like DeepCode to review your work and suggest improvements.

4. Review and Refine (15 minutes)

Once you've completed your project, use AI tools for code review. Look for suggestions on performance improvements or best practices.

5. Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong?

• AI suggestions may be incorrect: Always review the code generated by AI tools.
• Integration issues: Sometimes, plugins may not work seamlessly. If you encounter issues, consult the tool's documentation or community forums for help.

What’s Next? Progressing Your Skills

Once you’ve completed your first project using AI, consider:

• Joining coding communities: Engage with others on platforms like GitHub or Stack Overflow.
• Taking on more complex projects: Gradually increase the complexity of your projects as your confidence builds.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re looking to improve your programming skills quickly, start by setting up an IDE and integrating AI coding tools like GitHub Copilot or Tabnine. Spend a couple of hours coding a small project, and you’ll see tangible improvements. Remember, the key is to practice consistently and leverage AI as your coding assistant, not as a crutch.

What We Actually Use

In our experience, we primarily rely on GitHub Copilot for daily coding tasks, DeepCode for code reviews, and LeetCode for interview preparation. These tools strike a balance between cost and functionality for indie developers.