AI coding is becoming the norm for experienced developers and vibe coders alike. However, it's not always easy to get the best results, especially as the complexity of the codebase increases.
We collected 10 battle-tested tips for effective AI coding from Reddit and X, which can help you get the most out of AI coding tools.
1. Start With Clear Instructions
Every AI session works better if you start with a simple goal. Write one or two sentences that say what you want to build and who will use it. This gives the model a clear direction.
Start with a strong, detailed vision of what you want to build and how it should work. The clearer your plan, the smoother the execution.
Next, write a short list of what tech you'll use, what the code should do, and any limits or special cases. If you treat your prompt like an API contract, you'll avoid most "garbage-in, garbage-out" problems. 1 2 3
2. Break Work Into Small, Simple Tasks
Big prompts often lead to mistakes or missing features. Break each feature into 3-5 smaller tasks and use a new chat or thread for each one.
One chat, one feature.
This "one chat, one feature" rule helps the model remember what's important and keeps things simple. 1 2
3. Keep Context Focused
AI models are like humans, they have limited attention span. Only show the AI the files or folders it needs. If your chat gets too long, just start a new one.
Use @file, @folders, @git to scope Cursor's attention to the right parts of your codebase.
- ryolu_
Keeping the context small makes answers faster, cheaper, and more accurate. It also stops the model from "forgetting" things in long chats. 1 2 3
4. Commit Early and Often
AI can sometimes make mistakes and mess up your code. To prevent loss of progress, you can commit early and often. This way, you can go back if something goes wrong.
Git is your best friend. After finishing a big feature, you must make sure to commit your code.
Learn to use version control tools like Git. Good git habits also stop big mistakes if the AI changes too much at once. 1 2 3
5. Be Explicit to Prevent Unwanted AI Changes
AI models like to "help" by renaming things or adding features you didn't ask for, or introduce unnecessary complexity.
Just a simple sentence like '(Do not change anything I did not ask for)' works very well.
Add a clear warning like this stops most unwanted changes. You can also keep a list of common mistakes in a file that the AI can reference. 1 2
6. Keep a Folder for Rules and Examples
Save your design docs, coding rules, security checklists, and example code in a folder the AI can read.
Set 5-10 clear project rules upfront so Cursor knows your structure and constraints.
- ryolu_
When you say "follow project rules," the model can look at real examples. This keeps your code style the same and means you don't have to repeat yourself. 1 2
7. Use Popular, Well-Documented Tools
AI models learn from public code. The more common the framework, the better the AI's answers.
Stick to widely-used, well-documented technologies. AI models are trained on public data. The more common the stack, the better the AI can help you write high-quality code.
If you use tools like Next.js, Supabase, or Tailwind, you'll get better code suggestions and help. Avoid rare or old stacks if you want the best results. 1 2
8. Debug Step by Step and Know When to Start Over
First, give the AI the exact error message and ask for a fix. If it doesn't work after three tries, go back, make your prompt clearer, and try again from the start.
When dealing with errors, over explain the issue if it's not fixed the first time.
Sometimes, starting fresh is faster than getting lost in a long, confusing chat. 1 2
9. Review and Test AI Output
Do not blindly trust AI-generated code. Write test cases to verify the code is working as expected.
Write tests first, lock them, and generate code until all tests pass.
- ryolu_
Review the code as if you are code reviewing a colleague. Look out for logic errors, security issues, and unnecessary changes. 1 2
10. Embrace the Process and Keep Learning
AI coding is as much about mindset as it is about technique. Embrace rapid iteration, experiment, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. If it doesn't work, just start over, refine your prompt, and try again.
Embrace the creative journey of vibe coding, experiment, learn, and have fun along the way.
The more you engage with the process, the more you'll learn. And the more you'll enjoy the creative journey of building with AI. 1 2
AI Coding with Context Management
If you are looking for a tool to help you with AI coding, you can check out 16x Prompt.
16x Prompt is a desktop GUI tool that helps you manage context effectively and streamline your AI coding workflow.
Check out our user guide to get started: