Chapter 2. Choosing your new partner: the AI development tool

Key points

• There are several AI development tools, but the thinking is the same whichever you pick
• Choose by situation: want to start free, already subscribed to something
• The free Antigravity is enough to begin with

The thinking is the same whichever you pick

There are various AI development tools. You may wonder which to choose, but everything this guide teaches applies to all of them. The screens and the operations differ; the basic flow — instruct the AI, it builds — is the same. So there is no "wrong choice" to be made.

They are introduced here in three groups, by cost.

1. Free to start

Antigravity. The free Google tool mentioned in the previous part. A Google account is all you need, and the free plan is capable enough. It is strong on the design side and makes a good first step into AI development tools. This guide describes operations assuming Antigravity (the basic flow is the same in other tools).

Gemini CLI. Also from Google, used from a terminal (the screen where you type commands). It takes a little getting used to, but the free allowance is generous.

2. If you already pay for a chat AI

Codex. From OpenAI. Strong on fixing complicated bugs. Available at no extra cost if you have ChatGPT Plus or above.

Claude Code. From Anthropic. Broad in what it can do, with frequent additions. Requires Claude Pro or above.

3. Tools with their own subscription

Cursor / Windsurf. Both are capable editors (software for writing code) with AI built in. Suited to people who want to read and write some code themselves as they go.

If you cannot decide

• Not subscribed to anything → start with the free Antigravity
• Subscribed to ChatGPT → Codex, which you can use as-is
• Subscribed to Claude → Claude Code, which you can use as-is

Everything here carries across whichever you pick. Start by touching whichever caught your eye.

Chapter 2 summary

• There are several tools, but the thinking is shared
• Choose by situation; there is no wrong choice
• This guide proceeds with the free Antigravity