AI Coding Tools Overview
A quick look at the most popular AI coding assistants available.
Last reviewed: February 26, 2026. Tool names, links, and product capabilities can change quickly.
API Platforms
| Platform | Description |
|---|---|
| Anthropic API | Access to Claude models for building AI-powered coding tools and applications |
| OpenAI API | Access to GPT and Codex models for code generation, editing, and analysis |
| Google Gemini API | Access to Gemini models for building generative AI coding applications |
| Blablador | Access to models hosted by Blablador for building generative AI coding applications |
Not all models hosted by Blablador are trained by JSC, you can check the model details to look for the ones trained by JSC AI team
Using API for coding purposes is okay however coding oriented models and tools more suited for this job since they offer:
- A strong default instruction scaffold (coding-focused behavior).
- Tool loop: run shell commands, read/write files, test, retry.
- Repo/context loading (files, diffs, diagnostics) before each call.
- Safety controls (sandboxing, approvals, blocked commands).
- Structured output expectations (patches, commit-ready edits).
CLI Tools
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Claude Code | Anthropic's CLI agent for code generation, debugging, and refactoring |
| OpenAI Codex CLI | OpenAI's terminal coding agent for editing, running, and reviewing code |
| Gemini CLI | Google's command-line coding assistant for repo-aware development workflows |
| GitHub Copilot CLI | Archived project (historical reference only; prefer current Copilot Chat/agent workflows) |
| OpenCode | OpenSource AI coding assistant for code generation, debugging, and refactoring |
Use opencode for Blablador models https://sdlaml.pages.jsc.fz-juelich.de/ai/guides/blablador_opencode
IDE Extensions
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| GitHub Copilot | Inline code completions for VS Code, JetBrains, and more |
| Gemini Code Assist | Google's AI coding assistant for IDEs with code completion and chat |
| Cursor | AI-first code editor built on VS Code |
| Windsurf | AI-powered IDE by Codeium |
Use VsCode extension for Blablador models https://sdlaml.pages.jsc.fz-juelich.de/ai/guides/blablador_on_vscode
Chat-Based Assistants
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Claude (Anthropic) | General-purpose AI assistant with strong coding, analysis, and reasoning capabilities |
| ChatGPT (OpenAI) | General-purpose AI assistant commonly used for code generation, debugging, and design help |
| Gemini (Google) | General-purpose AI assistant useful for coding support, explanations, and refactoring ideas |
| Jan.ai | General-purpose AI assistant with strong coding, analysis, and reasoning capabilities |
Use jan.ai for Blablador models https://sdlaml.pages.jsc.fz-juelich.de/ai/guides/blablador_on_janai
Sources: Claude Code overview, OpenAI Codex, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot CLI (archived), Gemini Code Assist, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Windsurf, OpenCode