How to Speed Up Your Coding with AI in Just 1 Hour

As indie hackers and solo founders, we’re all too familiar with the feeling of being buried under a mountain of code. You want to ship fast, but sometimes it feels like you're stuck in the weeds. The good news? AI coding tools have made significant strides in 2026, and you can leverage them to speed up your development process. In this guide, I'll show you how to integrate AI into your workflow in just one hour, using tools that actually work without breaking the bank.

Prerequisites: What You’ll Need

Before diving in, make sure you have:

• A basic understanding of coding (JavaScript, Python, etc.)
• An IDE (like VSCode or PyCharm) set up on your machine
• An internet connection to access AI tools
• A willingness to experiment and adapt your coding habits

Step 1: Choose Your AI Coding Tools

The first step is selecting the right AI tools. Here’s a curated list of 12 tools that can help you code faster, along with their pricing and limitations.

AI Coding Tools Comparison Table

| Tool Name | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |---------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------|----------------------------------|-------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo, free tier available | Auto-completing code | Limited language support | We use this for quick code suggestions. | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Code completions & suggestions | Less effective for complex logic | We prefer Copilot for better context. | | Codeium | Free | Multi-language support | Lacks advanced features | Good for beginners, but we outgrew it. | | Replit | Free tier + $20/mo pro | Collaborative coding | Limited to their environment | Great for quick prototypes. | | Sourcery | $19/mo, free tier available | Python code improvement | Only for Python | Helps clean up our code. | | Kite | Free | Python, JavaScript completions | Slower than competitors | We don’t use this much anymore. | | Codex | $0-30/mo depending on usage | API integrations | Requires setup | Powerful but can be overkill. | | DeepCode | $15/mo, free tier available | Code review | Not real-time | Useful for team projects. | | Ponic | $29/mo, no free tier | Full-stack coding assistance | Expensive for solo projects | We don’t use it due to cost. | | AI Dungeon | Free | Game development | Not for standard coding | Fun for side projects. | | PolyCoder | Free | Custom model training | Requires ML knowledge | We haven’t tried this yet. | | Snorkel | $0-20/mo for indie scale | Data-centric projects | Focus on data, not code | We don’t use this for coding. |

What We Actually Use

In our experience, we primarily use GitHub Copilot for its seamless integration and powerful suggestions. Sourcery is our go-to for Python projects, helping us keep our code clean.

Step 2: Set Up Your Tools

1. Install GitHub Copilot:

   • Go to your IDE’s marketplace.
   • Search for GitHub Copilot and install it.
   • Sign in with your GitHub account.

2. Set Up Tabnine (optional):

   • Install Tabnine through the IDE marketplace.
   • Create an account and customize your settings.

3. Integrate Code Review Tools:

   • If using Sourcery or DeepCode, follow the installation instructions on their respective sites.

Step 3: Start Coding with AI Assistance

Once your tools are set up, it’s time to start coding. Here’s a quick workflow to maximize your efficiency:

1. Begin with a clear task: Define what you need to code.
2. Use AI for suggestions: Start typing and let Copilot or Tabnine suggest completions.
3. Iterate and refine: Accept suggestions that make sense and modify them as needed.
4. Review with Sourcery: After your initial coding, run your code through Sourcery to finalize and clean up.

Expected Output: You should complete your task significantly faster than coding without AI assistance.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• Tool Conflicts: Sometimes, multiple AI tools can interfere. Stick to one main tool per language for best results.
• Misleading Suggestions: AI isn’t perfect. Always review suggestions critically.
• Performance Issues: If the IDE slows down, consider disabling unused plugins.

What’s Next?

Once you’ve integrated AI into your coding workflow, consider exploring more advanced features of your chosen tools. Look into automation for testing or deploying your applications.

Conclusion: Start Here

To kickstart your coding productivity in 2026, focus on GitHub Copilot and Sourcery. Spend an hour setting them up and integrating them into your workflow. You’ll be surprised at how much faster you can code with the right AI tools.