Enhancing Elixir and Phoenix Development with AI Tools

The article explores the author's journey in utilizing AI, specifically Windsurf, to write Elixir and Phoenix code more efficiently. The author compares Windsurf to another tool, Cursor, noting that while both generate similar code, Windsurf excels in understanding the author's specific codebase and providing a better user experience. The article details the capabilities of AI in generating basic Elixir and Phoenix code but points out limitations when working with niche tech stacks, like the author's combination of Elixir, Phoenix, React, and Inertia, which may lack sufficient training data for AI assistance. The author outlines tactics to optimize the AI's performance through the use of features such as "memories" and "rules" in Windsurf, which help tailor the AI's approach to specific coding needs and preferences. They also provide insights into maintaining code quality through sanity checks after coding sessions, highlighting potential pitfalls of relying solely on AI for code generation. Overall, the author advocates for a balanced approach to AI in software development, emphasizing the importance of planning and understanding in leveraging AI to enhance productivity, ultimately striving to reach the ideal of a '10x engineer'.