AI Programming Assistant Showdown: GitHub Copilot, Cursor and Emerging Challengers

AI is reshaping software development, with more than 76% developers already adopting AI programming assistants in their workflows, according to a survey by Stack Overflow. [1] Tools are iterating much faster than expected, and this article will review several mainstream and emerging AI programming tools to help developers in the GitHub Copilot,Cursor as well as Kiro,Trae Choosing between rookies like.

GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is one of the most popular AI development tools available today, and it has a lot to offer by virtue of its partnership with the Visual Studio Code cap (a poem) JetBrains series of IDEs for seamless integration, making it the first choice for many developers. [3]

For developers dealing with large business code, theCopilot The code completion feature is very useful. After commenting or partially completing the code, press the Tab The key generates code suggestions, which greatly improves the efficiency of local modifications and new feature writing.

In addition.Copilot The chat function of the VS Code technical exchanges and ideas within the organization, and allows switching of GPT-4 and many other large models. Crucially, the service is stable and can usually be accessed without a proxy network.

Installation and Configuration

exist VS Code Search for and install the GitHub Copilot cap (a poem) GitHub Copilot Chat Ready to go.

After installation, click on the editor's upper right corner of the Copilot icon, the chat window will be evoked.

Claude Code

Unlike the graphical tools integrated into the IDE, theAnthropic Officially launched Claude Code is a command line AI tool. It provides an alternative for developers who are used to working in a terminal environment.

Claude The model is known for its strong long contextual understanding and excels in code refactoring, debugging, and generating complex code blocks that provide thorough explanations and high quality code. [1, 2]

Installation and use

First, you need to make sure that you have installed the Node.js. After that, execute the following command in the terminal to install it:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

If you encounter problems with installation or execution, try force uninstalling and reinstalling:

npm uninstall -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code --force

After successful installation, type in the terminal claude command to start it.

For users who are not comfortable with the command line, it is also possible to add a new command line to the VS Code Indirectly through community plugins in IDEs such as Claude The ability of the

Cursor

Cursor is an IDE with natively integrated AI functionality that aims to provide an "AI-First" development experience. [2] Cursor With its powerful Agent Patterns that can understand and perform complete tasks from coding to debugging, not just code snippet patching. [2]

The tool is able to sense the context of the entire project for cross-file code refactoring and editing. [1] However, for users in mainland China, global proxy mode needs to be enabled for stable use of its cloud model due to network limitations.

Trae

Trae is an AI programming assistant launched by Byte Jump. It introduces a unique dual-mode system:Builder Patterns are used to generate applications directly from natural language descriptions, while the Chat The model provides interactive programming assistance. [This design meets a wide range of needs, from rapid prototyping to complex project development.

Trae Currently integrated Claude 3.7 Sonnet cap (a poem) GPT-4o A number of mainstream models, such as the one for code generation and comprehension, ensure the reliability of its code generation and comprehension capabilities. [1]

Kiro

Kiro attributable AWS A native AI IDE that was launched and is completely free during the preview period. It comes with built-in Claude Sonnet 4 models, providing developers with free and powerful AI support.

Kiro One of its design philosophies is "Spec-driven", i.e., development driven by requirement specifications, which gives it a unique advantage in helping developers learn new technologies and build projects quickly. For Chinese users seeking a cost-effective and stable network experience, theKiro is an attractive option.

Comprehensive Comparison

To visualize the differences between the tools, here is the updated comparison table.

Features & Prices

Scene Recommendation

AI tools are a means to improve efficiency, not an end in themselves. They cannot replace a developer's in-depth understanding of the technology and innovative thinking. Choose the right tools and combine them with your own programming skills to stay competitive in the AI era.