How to Use AI Tools to Write Cleaner Code in 30 Minutes

As indie hackers and solo founders, we’re constantly juggling multiple tasks, and the last thing we want to deal with is messy code. It’s not just about getting the project done; clean code makes maintenance easier, improves collaboration, and boosts overall productivity. In this guide, I’ll show you how to leverage AI tools to write cleaner code in just 30 minutes. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Prerequisites

Before diving in, make sure you have the following:

• Basic understanding of programming concepts
• Code editor (like VSCode or Atom)
• Access to the internet for AI tool usage
• A project or code snippet you want to clean up

Step 1: Choose Your AI Tools

Here’s a roundup of AI tools that can help you write cleaner code, along with their pricing, best use cases, and limitations.

| Tool Name | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |--------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|----------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo | Autocompleting code snippets | Limited to supported languages | We use it for quick suggestions. | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Autocompletion and suggestions | May suggest overly complex solutions | Great for JavaScript projects. | | Codeium | Free | Code completion and suggestions | Limited integrations with IDEs | We use it for general coding. | | Sourcery | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Refactoring Python code | Focused only on Python | We don’t use it since we use JS. | | Replit | Free tier + $20/mo pro | Collaborative coding | Performance issues on large projects | Great for pair programming. | | Codex | $0.01 per token | Natural language to code translation | Limited to OpenAI API usage | Not our primary tool, but useful.| | Ponic | $15/mo | Code reviews and suggestions | Requires learning curve | We use it for team code reviews. | | DeepCode | Free tier + $25/mo pro | Static code analysis | Limited to certain languages | Good for catching bugs early. | | AI Code Reviewer | $19/mo | Code quality checks | Not suited for all programming languages | We find it helpful for feedback. | | CodeGPT | Free tier + $29/mo pro | AI-driven code generation | Can be too verbose in suggestions | We don’t use it much. |

What We Actually Use

In our experience, we primarily use GitHub Copilot for its versatility and Tabnine for JavaScript projects. DeepCode is also a go-to for static analysis.

Step 2: Set Up Your Environment

1. Install Your Chosen Tools: For example, with GitHub Copilot, install the extension in your code editor.
2. Create or Open Your Project: Make sure you have a code snippet or a project ready for cleaning.
3. Familiarize Yourself with Tool Features: Spend a few minutes exploring the features of the tools you've chosen.

Step 3: Start Writing Cleaner Code

1. Autocomplete with GitHub Copilot

• Begin typing a function or method.
• Allow Copilot to suggest completions. Accept suggestions by pressing Tab.
• Example: Start typing function calculateArea and see how Copilot fills in the rest.

2. Refactor with Tabnine

• Select a block of code you want to improve.
• Use Tabnine's suggestions to optimize the code structure.
• Example: Highlight a complex function and see if Tabnine can simplify it.

3. Run Static Analysis with DeepCode

• Once you’ve made your changes, run DeepCode on your project.
• Review suggested improvements and apply them accordingly.

4. Collaborate with Replit (if applicable)

• If working with others, share your project on Replit.
• Use its live collaboration feature to get real-time feedback.

Troubleshooting

• Issue: Tool not suggesting anything.

  • Solution: Make sure your code is in a supported language and check your internet connection.

• Issue: Suggestions are irrelevant.

  • Solution: Sometimes, the context may not be clear. Try adding comments or clearer variable names.

What’s Next?

After cleaning your code, consider setting up a continuous integration pipeline with tools like GitHub Actions or CircleCI to ensure code quality going forward. This will automate testing and enforce coding standards.

Conclusion

Using AI tools to write cleaner code doesn’t have to be a lengthy process. By spending just 30 minutes setting up and using these tools, you can improve your code quality significantly. Start with GitHub Copilot and Tabnine, and incorporate others as needed.

Ready to clean up your code? Get started with your favorite AI tools today!