How to Use AI Tools to Write Your First 100 Lines of Code in Under 2 Hours

If you've ever wanted to dip your toes into coding but felt overwhelmed by the complexity, you're not alone. As a solo founder or indie hacker, the thought of writing even a simple script can be daunting. The good news is that with the rise of AI coding tools, you can write your first 100 lines of code in under 2 hours—yes, really! In this guide, I’ll walk you through which AI tools to use, what to expect, and how to get started without breaking the bank.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start

Before diving in, make sure you have the following:

1. A computer: Any decent laptop or desktop will do.
2. An internet connection: Essential for using cloud-based AI tools.
3. A code editor: Options like Visual Studio Code (free) or Atom (free) are great choices.
4. Basic understanding of coding concepts: Familiarity with variables, loops, and functions will help, but don’t worry if you’re starting from scratch.

Step-by-Step: Writing Your First 100 Lines

Step 1: Choose Your AI Tool

Here’s a comparison of some popular AI coding tools that can help you get started:

| Tool Name | Pricing | What It Does | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo | Autocompletes code and suggests entire functions | Beginners & intermediate | Requires GitHub account; limited to specific languages | We use this for quick suggestions. | | Codeium | Free tier + $20/mo Pro | AI-powered code completion and suggestions | Quick coding tasks | Free tier has limited features | We don’t use Pro, free works fine. | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo Pro | AI code completion based on your coding style | Personal projects | Pro version needed for team collaboration | We prefer the free version. | | Replit | Free, $7/mo for Pro | Online IDE with built-in AI suggestions | Learning & sharing code | Limited offline capabilities | Great for collaboration. | | Ponicode | $29/mo, no free tier | Generates unit tests and code suggestions | Testing-focused developers | No free tier; pricing can be steep for beginners | Skip if you’re just starting out. | | CodeGPT | Free, with donation options | Natural language to code conversion | Beginners | Limited language support | Useful for quick prototypes. | | Sourcery | Free tier + $10/mo Pro | Code review and improvement suggestions | Code quality enhancement | Free tier lacks advanced features | We use it for code quality checks. | | Codex | $0-20/mo | Text-to-code generation | Quick prototyping | Can be expensive at scale | Great for MVPs. | | AI Dungeon | Free, $10/mo for Pro | AI storytelling and coding help | Creative coding | Not strictly for coding | Fun for brainstorming ideas. | | Kodezi | $0-15/mo | Code completion and debugging assistance | Debugging-focused projects | Limited to web-based platform | Good for quick fixes. |

Step 2: Set Up Your Environment

1. Install your chosen code editor.
2. Create a new project: Name it something simple, like "MyFirstCode".
3. Connect your AI tool: Follow the setup instructions specific to the tool you chose.

Step 3: Start Coding

1. Define a simple problem: For example, "Create a function that adds two numbers."
2. Use your AI tool: Start typing a comment like // function to add two numbers and let the tool suggest code.
3. Review and edit: Make sure to understand the suggestions and tweak them as necessary.

Step 4: Test Your Code

1. Run your code: Check if it works as expected.
2. Debug: If it doesn't work, use the AI tool to help identify issues.

Step 5: Iterate and Expand

1. Add more functions: Try creating a few more functions, like subtracting or multiplying numbers.
2. Refactor: Use your AI tool for suggestions on how to improve your code.

What Could Go Wrong

• Tool Limitations: If the AI tool suggests code that doesn’t work, don’t panic. AI can sometimes miss context. Always read and understand the code.
• Over-reliance on AI: While these tools are helpful, they can’t replace the need for fundamental coding knowledge. Be sure to learn as you go.

What’s Next

Once you’ve written your first 100 lines of code, consider taking the next steps:

1. Explore more complex projects: Try building a small web app or a simple game.
2. Learn from others: Check out coding forums or communities like Stack Overflow or Reddit’s r/learnprogramming.
3. Listen to podcasts: For more insights, tune into our podcast, Built This Week, where we discuss tools and experiences in building products.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you’re ready to dive into coding, start by choosing one of the AI tools listed above. GitHub Copilot is a solid choice for beginners due to its robust suggestions and ease of use. In our experience, it’s a great way to get comfortable with coding while still learning the fundamentals.

So grab your laptop, pick a tool, and let’s get coding!