Is This AI Coding Assistant Better Than Cursor?



AI Summary

Summary of Augment AI Coding Assistant Review

  • Introduction
    • The video explores Augment, an AI coding assistant designed for professional software engineers and large codebases.
    • The reviewer tests Augment in both a familiar codebase (a Tetris React application) and an unfamiliar open-source repository (HTTP server).
    • Augment is noted for its ability to sync with and understand codebases.
  • Testing in Tetris React Application
    • Augment provides a summary of the project, recognizing technologies used and project features.
    • The AI assistant accurately explains how game state is managed in the application.
    • Augment successfully edits code to allow additional keyboard controls for the game.
    • The “Next Edit” feature is highlighted for its usefulness in catching downstream effects of code changes.
    • Augment demonstrates its ability to update code across multiple files, including test files, and suggests changes proactively.
    • The AI assistant provides accurate instructions for running the application and testing changes.
  • Testing in HTTP Server Repository
    • Augment syncs with the HTTP server codebase and provides a summary of its features and requirements.
    • The reviewer challenges Augment to implement a new rate-limiting feature.
    • Augment generates a series of steps and code changes to add the new feature.
    • After some initial issues, Augment successfully implements the rate limiter, demonstrating its ability to handle substantial changes in an unfamiliar codebase.
  • Final Thoughts
    • The reviewer finds Augment to be fairly good at understanding larger codebases and making changes.
    • The “Next Edit” feature is particularly praised for preventing potential bugs.
    • Augment’s step-by-step change implementation is preferred over other AI tools that make massive changes at once.
    • While not perfect, Augment is deemed helpful and worth trying for personal workflows and repositories.

Detailed Instructions and URLs

  • No specific CLI commands, website URLs, or detailed instructions were provided in the summary.

Notes

  • The video is sponsored by Augment, but the content focuses on an unbiased review of the tool’s capabilities.
  • The reviewer emphasizes the practical testing of Augment in real-world scenarios.
  • Self-promotion from the author is excluded from the summary.