Best Vibe Coding Tools in 2026

How to choose your vibe coding tools

Vibe coding tools fall into two categories: IDE-based (Cursor, Windsurf, Copilot) and terminal-based (Claude Code). Some run in the browser (Bolt, Replit, v0). The right pick depends on how you work.

Here is what matters when choosing:

• Context window: How much of your codebase can the AI see at once?
• Agentic mode: Can it plan and execute multi-step tasks, or just autocomplete?
• Multi-file edits: Can it change several files in one go?
• Price: What do you actually pay per month?

Full comparison table

Claude Code

Claude Code is a terminal-based AI coding agent from Anthropic. It reads your entire project, plans multi-step changes, and executes them. This is the tool we use most at Devvela for production projects.

Why it stands out

• Sees your full codebase, not just the open file
• Plans and executes multi-file changes in one go
• Runs shell commands (tests, builds, git) directly
• Works with any language and framework
• CLAUDE.md file lets you set project-specific rules

Limitations

• Terminal-only. No visual UI for file browsing.
• Requires Node.js 18+ installed locally
• API usage can get expensive on large projects without Pro plan

Setup

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
claude login
cd your-project
claude

Example session

You: Create a new React component called Button with primary and secondary variants

Claude: I'll create a Button component for you...
[Creates src/components/Button.jsx]
[Creates src/components/Button.css]

You: Add a loading state to the button

Claude: I'll add a loading state with a spinner...
[Updates Button.jsx with isLoading prop]

Cursor

Cursor is a code editor built for AI-assisted development. Based on VS Code, so all your extensions and shortcuts work. It combines inline autocomplete with an agent mode that can plan and execute changes.

Why it stands out

• Familiar VS Code interface
• Cmd+K to edit selected code with AI
• Agent mode for multi-step tasks
• Codebase indexing for better context
• @file and @folder references in prompts

Limitations

• Pro plan needed for best models (Claude, GPT-4)
• Can struggle with very large monorepos
• Agent mode sometimes needs manual correction

Setup

1. Download from cursor.com
2. Install and sign up for an account
3. Enable "Cursor Tab" for inline completions in Settings
4. Enable "Codebase indexing" for better context
5. Set your preferred AI model (Claude Sonnet recommended)

Key shortcuts

• Cmd+K (Ctrl+K): Edit selected code with AI
• Cmd+L: Open the AI chat panel
• Tab: Accept inline AI suggestions
• Cmd+I: Open Composer (agent mode)

GitHub Copilot

Copilot is an AI extension that works inside VS Code, JetBrains, and Neovim. It started as an autocomplete tool and now has Copilot Chat and Copilot Workspace for more complex tasks.

Why it stands out

• Best inline autocomplete. Fast and accurate.
• Works in multiple editors, not just VS Code
• Copilot Chat for Q&A about your code
• Cheapest option at $10/month
• Deep GitHub integration (PR descriptions, code review)

Limitations

• Weaker at multi-file changes compared to Cursor or Claude Code
• Copilot Workspace (agentic mode) still in preview
• Less context awareness than dedicated AI IDEs

Setup

1. Open VS Code, go to Extensions (Cmd+Shift+X)
2. Search "GitHub Copilot" and install
3. Also install "GitHub Copilot Chat" for the chat panel
4. Sign in with your GitHub account

// Write a comment, Copilot suggests the implementation
// Function to validate email address
function validateEmail(email) {
  // Copilot fills in the code here
  return /^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/.test(email);
}

Windsurf

Windsurf (by Codeium) is a free AI IDE with Cascade, its agentic coding mode. It reads your codebase, suggests multi-file changes, and runs commands. The free tier is generous.

Why it stands out

• Free tier with solid capabilities
• Cascade agent plans and executes multi-step tasks
• Very beginner-friendly interface
• Auto-detects project context

Limitations

• Smaller community than Cursor or Copilot
• Free tier has usage limits on premium models
• Extension ecosystem not as rich as VS Code

Setup

Download from windsurf.com. Install, sign up, and open your project. Cascade is enabled by default.

Browser-based tools

These tools run entirely in your browser. No local setup needed. Great for prototyping and learning.

Bolt.new

Describe an app and Bolt generates it. Full-stack projects with React, Next.js, or vanilla HTML. You can edit, preview, and deploy without leaving the browser. Best for: quick prototypes and MVPs you want to test fast.

Replit Agent

An AI agent inside Replit that can create, run, and deploy apps. Handles both frontend and backend. You describe what you want in plain English. Best for: people who do not want to install anything locally.

v0 by Vercel

Generates React + Tailwind CSS components from text descriptions. Outputs clean, production-ready code. Does not build full apps, but excellent for UI work. Best for: frontend components and landing pages.

Which vibe coding tools do we use?

At Devvela, we use a combination of tools depending on the project:

• Claude Code for most backend work, refactoring, and complex multi-file changes
• Cursor for frontend work where visual feedback helps
• GitHub Copilot for quick inline completions during manual coding
• v0 for rapidly prototyping UI components

No single tool does everything. The best vibe coding setup uses 2-3 tools together. Start with one, add more as you find gaps in your workflow.

Want to see these tools in action? Check our case studies or full vibe coding tools review.

Essential prerequisites

Regardless of which AI tool you pick, you need these basics installed:

Node.js

Required for most JavaScript projects. Download from nodejs.org (LTS version recommended).

Git

Version control is essential. Download from git-scm.com or install via your package manager.

A code editor

If not using Cursor or Windsurf, install VS Code. Free and works on all platforms.

Checklist: Ready to code?