Augment Code- a cheaper alternative to Cursor and Windsurf

By Ari Nakos • 2025-04-20

AI coding assistants have transformed development workflows, but tools like Cursor and Windsurf come with premium price tags. Enter Augment Code - a powerful yet affordable alternative that integrates directly with VSCode.

What You'll Learn

In this tutorial, I'll demonstrate how I used Augment Code to:

  1. Index my CopyMeow codebase
  2. Transform a tldraw mockup into a functional dashboard component
  3. Refine the generated code with targeted prompts
  4. Deploy the finished component to Vercel

Why Augment Code Stands Out

  • Fraction of the cost of Cursor and Windsurf
  • Native VSCode integration - no switching between editors
  • Contextual understanding of your existing code patterns
  • Rapid iteration capabilities for fine-tuning

Step 1: Installing Augment Code Extension

Installation takes just seconds:

  1. Open VSCode Extensions marketplace (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X)
  2. Search for "Augment Code"
  3. Click "Install"

That's it! The Augment Code icon appears in your sidebar, ready to use.

Step 2: Indexing Your Codebase

Before generating code, Augment Code needs to understand your project:

  1. Click the Augment Code icon in the sidebar
  2. Select "Index Codebase"
  3. Choose which directories to include

In just a few minutes, Augment Code analyzed my entire CopyMeow codebase, learning its structure, components, styling patterns, and dependencies. This context is what enables it to generate code that feels like it was written by your team.

Step 3: Creating a Dashboard Component from a Mockup

After indexing the codebase, I used Augment Code to transform a simple tldraw mockup into a functional dashboard component:

CopyMeow Dashboard Mockup

The process was straightforward:

  1. Created a mockup in tldraw (shown above)
  2. Opened VSCode and created a new component file
  3. Used Augment Code's "Generate Code" feature with this prompt: 
    Create a dashboard component for CopyMeow based on this tldraw mockup.
Include user statistics, recent activities, and usage metrics in a
responsive grid layout matching our existing design system.

Augment Code immediately generated a complete component that accurately reflected both the mockup and CopyMeow's existing design patterns. It correctly implemented the card-based layout, statistics widgets, and activity feed without requiring extensive prompting or revisions.

Step 4: Iterating and Refining

While the initial code generation was impressive, I demonstrated how Augment Code excels at iterative refinement:

  1. I highlighted a section with a minor styling issue
  2. Used "Augment: Edit Selection" with a simple prompt
  3. Augment Code immediately fixed the problem while maintaining context

This iterative approach allowed me to quickly address small issues like component import paths and responsive behavior without rewriting entire sections of code.

Step 5: Launching a Preview on Vercel

To validate the component in a real environment, I deployed it to Vercel with just a few commands:

bash
npm run build
vercel

The preview URL showed the dashboard component working perfectly in the live CopyMeow application, confirming that Augment Code had generated production-ready code that integrated seamlessly with the existing codebase.

Comparing Augment Code to Alternatives

Augment Code offers several advantages over similar tools:

vs. Cursor:

  • More affordable: Significantly lower monthly cost
  • Works in your environment: Integrates with VSCode instead of requiring a separate editor
  • Resource-efficient: Lighter on system resources while maintaining comparable code understanding

vs. Windsurf:

  • Simpler setup: Install and go vs. complex configuration
  • Focused feature set: Core functionality without overwhelming options
  • Seamless updates: Managed through VSCode's extension system

Quick Tips for Success

  • Specific prompts yield better results: "Create a responsive card with user stats and a line chart" works better than "Make a dashboard"
  • Reference existing code: Mention specific components or patterns in your codebase
  • Iterate quickly: Use small, targeted edits rather than regenerating entire components
  • Re-index after major changes: Keep Augment Code's understanding of your codebase current

Conclusion

Augment Code delivers the power of AI coding assistance at a fraction of the cost of alternatives like Cursor and Windsurf. My CopyMeow dashboard example demonstrated how it can transform a simple mockup into production-ready code with minimal effort.

The key advantages are clear:

  • Works in your existing VSCode environment
  • Understands your codebase context
  • Generates high-quality, consistent code
  • Costs significantly less than competitors

Try it yourself at augmentcode.com and see how it transforms your development workflow.

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