My AI Toolkit
Last updated 2026-08-20 · 0 notes · 3 tags
Tags: ai cursor toolkit
This roadmap is the result of weeks of experimentation with various AI toolkits, free and paid APIs, IDEs and agents. This is what has worked for me, given my requirements. Buying a Claude Code or Codex subscription and letting it handle all the decisions may just be the easiest way for you to get started...
1. Tool Matrix
| Category | Primary | Secondary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Chats | ChatGPT (Planning) | Gemini (Analysis) | DeepSeek (Atomic Edits) |
| Coding IDE | Cursor Starter | VS Code | Cursor for daily work, VS Code for edge cases |
| APIs | OpenAI (Paid) | Gemini (Free) | OpenAI for quality, Gemini for volume |
| Models | OpenRouter (Paid) | When you need other models for coding / analysis |
2. APIs & BYOK Matrix
| Tool | Grok | OpenAI | Gemini | OpenRouter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | — | Built-in | — | — |
| Gemini | — | — | Built-in | — |
| Cursor Starter | ✅ Included | ✅ BYOK | ✅ BYOK | ❌ |
| VS Code + Continue/Roo | BYOK | BYOK | BYOK | ✅ |
| Personal Projects | — | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
3. What Each Is Best At
| Need | Default |
|---|---|
| Everyday Coding IDE | Cursor (Grok) |
| Optional Coding IDE | VS Code + Cline/Roo + Paid/Free BYOK APIs |
| CLI Coding | Aider + Paid/Free BYOK APIs |
| Advanced Coding | Cursor (OpenAI BYOK) |
| Limited Hi-quality AI Processing | OpenAI (Paid) API |
| Bulk AI Processing | Gemini (Free) API but with throttles |
| Model Experiments | OpenRouter (Paid) + Model of choice |
ABC Ladder
🟢 A — Default (Use First)
- ChatGPT → Research, writing
- Cursor (Grok) → Coding
- DeepSeek Chat → Precise code edits
🟡 B — Better (Escalate)
Use when A isn't good enough.
- Cursor + OpenAI BYOK
- Gemini/DeepSeek/ChatGPT for difficult reasoning
- OpenAI (Paid) API current models for higher-quality outputs
🔴 C — Specialist (Only if Needed)
- OpenRouter for latest models
- VS Code for OpenRouter-centric workflows
- DeepSeek/Gemini Chat for second opinions
Decision Rule
| If... | Then... |
|---|---|
| It's a normal coding task | Cursor (Grok) |
| The code/problem is difficult | Cursor (OpenAI BYOK) |
| It's research or planning | ChatGPT |
| It's a production project | OpenAI API |
| It's high-volume & low-cost | Gemini Free API |
| You want to try another model | OpenRouter |
This content repository is based on the hands-on experience of Naveen Bachwani. AI tools were also used in augmenting and refining it. The goal is to help non-technical users get familiar with these tools, so they may be able to use them effectively.
Readers are responsible for using any commands or instructions provided here with appropriate caution. The creator of this site accepts no responsibility for system damage, data loss, or other consequences resulting from their use.