Helpful Tools for AI Development

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Overview

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AI-first development environments

• AI-first code editor built on VS Code
• Natural language editing and code completion
• Built-in chat with full project context
• When to use: Primary development environment for AI-assisted coding
• Getting started: Download from cursor.sh and follow MCP Setup Guide

• Advanced conversational AI for code review and architecture planning
• Excellent at creating detailed specifications and breaking down complex problems
• When to use: Architectural planning, code review, detailed specifications
• Getting started: Create account and follow MCP Setup Guide for CDP integration

• General-purpose AI assistant for development tasks
• Strong at explaining concepts and providing multiple solution approaches
• When to use: Quick questions, concept explanations, alternative solutions
• Getting started: Create account, or see AI Development Setup for AI tool recommendations

• AI pair programmer that works in your existing editor
• Inline code suggestions and auto-completion
• When to use: If you prefer to stay in your current IDE (VS Code, IntelliJ, etc.)
• Getting started: Install extension and subscribe, or see AI Development Setup for IDE recommendations

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CDP integration

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Documentation

• Gives AI tools direct access to CDP documentation
• Enables accurate code generation using latest CDP components
• When to use: Always - dramatically improves AI code quality for CDP development
• Getting started: Follow the MCP Setup Guide for step-by-step configuration

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Context

• JavaScript/TypeScript SDK for embedded wallets
• Simplifies wallet creation and user authentication
• When to use: Building consumer apps with embedded wallets
• Getting started: See Embedded Wallets Quickstart

• React components and hooks for onchain development
• Pre-built UI components for wallets, transactions, and DeFi
• When to use: Building DeFi apps or apps requiring external wallet connections
• Getting started: Follow OnchainKit Getting Started or use AI Development Setup

• Framework for building AI agents that interact with blockchain networks
• Built-in CDP SDK integration for automated trading and operations
• When to use: Building AI agents, trading bots, or automated portfolio management
• Getting started: See AgentKit Quickstart or use AI Development Setup

• Client libraries for managing EVM and Solana wallets with CDP-secured private keys
• Available in TypeScript, Python, Go, and Rust
• Programmatic wallet creation, management, and transactions
• When to use: Server-side applications, automation, or any programmatic wallet operations
• Getting started: See CDP SDK Documentation and choose your preferred language

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Local testing essentials

• Creates secure HTTPS tunnels to your local development server
• Essential for testing mobile wallet integrations and embedded wallet flows
• When to use: Testing on real mobile devices, sharing development builds with stakeholders
• Getting started: See Testing Strategies for mobile testing setup

• Unit testing frameworks for JavaScript/TypeScript (most CDP starter apps come pre-configured)
• When to use: Testing AI-generated components and crypto functions locally
• Getting started: See Testing Strategies for AI-assisted testing approaches

• End-to-end testing frameworks for complete crypto user flows
• Test wallet connections, transactions, and complex user journeys
• When to use: Testing complete AI-generated user flows from wallet connection to transaction completion
• Getting started: See Testing Strategies for end-to-end testing with AI assistance

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AI debugging and optimization

• ESLint, Prettier, and TypeScript checking (included in most CDP starter apps)
• Automatically catch common mistakes in AI-generated code
• When to use: Always enabled - essential for validating AI-generated code quality
• Getting started: See Troubleshooting Guide for linting setup

• Standard approach for managing environment variables in local development
• Secure storage for CDP API keys and configuration (most CDP starter apps include this)
• When to use: Storing CDP API keys, project IDs, and sensitive configuration locally
• Getting started: Check your starter app’s .env.example file or see AI Deployment Guide

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Spec-driven development

• Designed specifically for breaking specifications into actionable development tasks
• Helps structure AI-generated project plans into manageable steps
• When to use: Converting high-level crypto app ideas into specific, testable development tasks
• Getting started: See AI Development Workflows for spec-driven development approach

• Markdown files, GitBook, or Notion for detailed project specifications
• Essential for giving AI tools context about your project requirements
• When to use: Before starting any significant crypto application development
• Getting started: Follow the spec-driven development process in AI Development Workflows

• Linear, Height, or GitHub Issues for organizing AI-generated development tasks
• Track progress through specification implementation phases
• When to use: Managing larger projects with multiple development phases and dependencies
• Getting started: Import task lists generated through spec-driven development workflows

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Potential tool combinations

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AI-first development starter kit

1. Cursor IDE - Primary AI development environment
2. CDP MCP Server - AI documentation access for accurate code generation
3. ngrok - Local mobile testing of wallet integrations
4. CDP Web SDK or OnchainKit - Depending on your app type (embedded wallets vs external wallets)

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Local testing and iteration

1. ngrok - Test on real mobile devices
2. Jest/Vitest - Unit testing AI-generated components
3. dotenv/.env files - Secure local API key storage

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Advanced AI workflows

1. Claude for planning - Detailed architecture and specification creation
2. Spec Kit - Break specifications into actionable development tasks
3. Cursor IDE - Implement with full project context and AI assistance
4. Playwright + ngrok - Comprehensive testing including mobile devices

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What to read next

• AI Development Setup: Configure your starter app and development environment using these tools
• MCP Setup Guide: Connect the CDP MCP server to your AI tools for better code generation
• AI Development Workflows: Learn day-to-day development practices using your configured tools
• AI Deployment: Deploy your applications using Vercel and other hosting platforms