Ai Coding Tools

How to Write Your First 100 Lines of Code Using AI Tools

By BTW Team4 min read

How to Write Your First 100 Lines of Code Using AI Tools

Starting your coding journey can feel overwhelming. You might think, "Where do I even start?" With the rise of AI coding tools, this process has become significantly more manageable. In 2026, there are numerous AI tools designed to help beginners write their first lines of code without getting bogged down by complex syntax or concepts.

In this guide, I’ll share practical tools, their pricing, and honest insights based on our experiences. By the end, you’ll have a clear path to writing your first 100 lines of code.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start

Before diving in, let’s cover the basics:

  • Basic understanding of programming concepts: Familiarize yourself with terms like variables, functions, and loops.
  • A computer with internet access: Most AI tools are cloud-based.
  • An open mind: Be ready to experiment and learn from mistakes!

Step-by-Step: Writing Your First 100 Lines of Code

You can finish this in about 2-3 hours if you follow along with the tools and examples. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Choose Your Programming Language: Start with something beginner-friendly like Python or JavaScript.
  2. Select Your AI Tool: Pick one or more AI coding tools from the list below.
  3. Follow Tutorials: Use the built-in tutorials or guides in your chosen tool.
  4. Start Coding: Begin writing simple scripts or functions. Aim for 100 lines, experimenting with different concepts.
  5. Test Your Code: Use the debugging features in your AI tool to troubleshoot errors.

Common Troubleshooting Tips

  • Syntax Errors: Check for missing punctuation or incorrect function names.
  • Logic Errors: Review your code logic if the output isn’t what you expect.
  • Environment Issues: Ensure your tool is set up correctly and has the necessary permissions.

AI Coding Tools to Get You Started

Here’s a list of AI tools that can help you write your first 100 lines of code:

| Tool Name | What It Does | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | AI-powered code completion and suggestions | $10/mo per user | Beginners needing assistance | Limited to VS Code and some IDEs | We use this for quick code suggestions. | | Replit | Online IDE with collaborative coding and AI | Free tier + $7/mo pro | Learning and experimentation | Limited features in free tier | Great for real-time collaboration. | | CodeGPT | AI assistant for coding queries and examples | $15/mo | Beginners needing examples | Less interactive than others | We don’t use this because it’s less intuitive. | | Tabnine | AI code completion tool for various languages | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Developers in various languages| May not support niche languages | We use this for JavaScript projects. | | Ponicode | AI tool for generating unit tests | $12/mo | Testing code efficiently | Limited to testing only | A must-have for code quality assurance. | | DeepCode | AI-powered code review and suggestions | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Finding bugs and vulnerabilities| Limited to specific languages | We find this useful for security checks. | | Sourcery | AI code improvement suggestions | Free tier + $19/mo pro | Improving existing code | May not cover all libraries | Great for refactoring older projects. | | Codex by OpenAI | Natural language to code generation | $20/mo | Creating new code from scratch | Requires clear prompts | We use this for prototyping ideas quickly. | | Jupyter Notebook | Interactive coding environment with AI support | Free | Data science and visualization | Requires setup for AI features | Essential for data projects. | | PyCharm | IDE with AI features for Python | $89/year | Python development | Can be expensive for beginners | We recommend starting with the free version. |

What We Actually Use

In our experience, GitHub Copilot and Replit are the go-to tools for beginners. They’re user-friendly and provide excellent support for writing code quickly.

Conclusion: Start Here

To write your first 100 lines of code, I recommend starting with Replit for its collaborative features and ease of use. Pair it with GitHub Copilot for code suggestions. This combination will guide you through the process while keeping it interactive and fun.

Remember, the most important part is to get started and not be afraid to make mistakes. Coding is a journey, and these tools will help you along the way.

Follow Our Building Journey

Weekly podcast episodes on tools we're testing, products we're shipping, and lessons from building in public.

Subscribe

Never miss an episode

Subscribe to Built This Week for weekly insights on AI tools, product building, and startup lessons from Ryz Labs.

Subscribe
Ai Coding Tools

How to Automate Your Development Workflow with AI in 3 Easy Steps

How to Automate Your Development Workflow with AI in 3 Easy Steps (2026) As indie hackers and solo founders, we often find ourselves buried under a mountain of repetitive tasks tha

Sep 3, 20264 min read
Ai Coding Tools

How to Boost Your Coding Velocity with AI in 30 Minutes

How to Boost Your Coding Velocity with AI in 30 Minutes As a solo founder or indie hacker, you know that time is your most precious resource. The idea of boosting your coding veloc

Sep 3, 20264 min read
Ai Coding Tools

Why Most Developers Get GitHub Copilot Wrong: 5 Myths Busted

Why Most Developers Get GitHub Copilot Wrong: 5 Myths Busted As we dive into 2026, GitHub Copilot has become a staple in many developers' toolkits. However, despite its popularity,

Sep 3, 20263 min read
Ai Coding Tools

How to Use AI Coding Tools to Boost Productivity in Under 2 Hours

How to Use AI Coding Tools to Boost Productivity in Under 2 Hours As indie hackers, we all know the struggle of trying to stay productive while juggling multiple projects. The prom

Sep 3, 20265 min read
Ai Coding Tools

Vercel vs GitHub Copilot: Which AI Tool is Right for Your Project?

Vercel vs GitHub Copilot: Which AI Tool is Right for Your Project? As a solo founder or indie hacker, choosing the right tools can be a makeorbreak decision for your project. With

Sep 3, 20263 min read
Ai Coding Tools

Why GitHub Copilot is Not the Magic Bullet for Every Programmer: Debunking the Myths

Why GitHub Copilot is Not the Magic Bullet for Every Programmer: Debunking the Myths As a programmer, I’ve been there: staring at a blank screen, hoping for a burst of inspiration

Sep 3, 20264 min read