How to Increase Your Coding Speed Using AI in 30 Minutes

As a builder, you know that coding can often feel like a marathon, not a sprint. Between debugging, writing tests, and figuring out the best libraries to use, it’s easy to lose precious time. What if I told you that you could leverage AI tools to boost your coding speed significantly? In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to integrate AI into your workflow in just 30 minutes, using tools that are practical and cost-effective.

Prerequisites: What You Need to Get Started

Before we dive in, make sure you have these:

• A code editor (VSCode is a great free option)
• An AI coding assistant tool (we’ll cover several)
• Basic knowledge of the programming language you’re using
• Internet connection for tool integrations

Step 1: Choose Your AI Coding Tool

Not all AI coding tools are created equal. Here are some of the best options available in 2026:

| Tool Name | Pricing | What It Does | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |------------------|-----------------------|------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/month | Autocompletes code and suggests snippets | All-purpose coding | Limited to GitHub repositories | We use it for boilerplate code | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo | AI-based code completion | JavaScript and Python | Free version has limited features | Great for quick suggestions | | Codeium | Free | Code suggestions with context awareness | Any programming language | Still in beta, may have bugs | We love the contextual suggestions | | Replit | Free tier + $7/mo | Collaborative coding environment | Team projects | Free tier has limited resources | Good for team collaboration | | Sourcery | $19/month | Improves code quality and suggests refactors | Python projects | Limited to Python only | Helps keep our code clean | | DeepCode | Free tier + $15/mo | AI code review and security checks | Security-focused projects | Not as fast as manual reviews | We don't use it due to speed | | Ponicode | $9/month | Generates unit tests automatically | Test-driven development | Limited language support | Saves us hours on testing | | Kite | Free | Code completions with documentation pop-ups | Python and JavaScript | Slower than Copilot | We switched back to Copilot | | Codex by OpenAI | $20/month | AI-powered code generation | Diverse coding tasks | May generate incorrect code | We use it for prototyping | | ChatGPT | Free tier + $20/mo | Conversational AI for coding help | Troubleshooting and learning | Not specialized for coding | Handy for quick questions |

Step 2: Integrate Your Tool with Your Editor

Once you’ve chosen your AI tool, it’s time to integrate it into your code editor. Most tools have straightforward installation processes. For example, GitHub Copilot can be added as an extension in VSCode.

1. Install the extension from the marketplace.
2. Sign in with your account.
3. Enable the tool and start coding.

Step 3: Optimize Your Workflow

Now that your tool is set up, here’s how to maximize its potential:

• Leverage code completion: Use the autocomplete feature to reduce typing time. For instance, if you’re working with JavaScript and type fetch(, Copilot will often suggest the full function.
• Ask questions: Use tools like ChatGPT to clarify doubts or get explanations on complex topics.
• Refactor with confidence: Use Sourcery to suggest improvements in your code, ensuring it remains clean and efficient.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

Sometimes, the AI might suggest code that doesn't fit your context. Here’s how to handle it:

• Review suggestions: Always read through the suggestions before accepting them.
• Experiment: If a tool isn’t working as expected, try another one. For example, if Copilot isn't generating useful suggestions, give Tabnine a shot.
• Report bugs: Many tools are still improving, so don’t hesitate to report issues.

What’s Next: Building a Better Coding Routine

Once you’ve integrated AI into your workflow, consider the following:

• Explore more advanced features: Many tools offer advanced settings that can further enhance your productivity.
• Combine tools: For example, use Copilot for code suggestions and Sourcery for code quality checks.
• Stay updated: AI tools evolve quickly. Keep an eye on updates and new features that can improve your coding speed.

Conclusion: Start Here to Boost Your Coding Speed

Integrating AI into your coding workflow doesn’t have to be complicated. Spend 30 minutes setting up one or two of these tools, and you could see significant gains in your productivity. In our experience, GitHub Copilot and Tabnine are strong choices for most use cases, but don’t hesitate to explore others based on your specific needs.

By using AI effectively, you can focus more on building and less on typing.