AI-assisted software development is transforming how programmers design, write and maintain code. This practical three day course is designed for developers who want to understand how to use AI coding assistants to improve productivity, write cleaner code and streamline day to day workflows.
From generating code snippets to debugging and refactoring, AI assistants such as GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Windsurf and aider are becoming standard tools in the modern development environment. This course gives you the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to work confidently with these technologies while maintaining best practice in security and software quality.
By the end of the course you will know how to select the right tools, apply prompt engineering techniques, set up custom instructions and integrate AI assistants into your existing workflow.
This course is designed for software developers and engineers who want to learn how to make effective use of AI code assistants in real projects. It is suitable for individuals working alone or as part of a larger development team.
You should have:
-
Basic programming experience
-
Familiarity with Git or other version control systems
-
A general understanding of software development principles
Check out our other AI courses here!
9 lesson covers:
Introduction to AI Code Assistants
This module introduces the concept of AI coding assistants, how they function and the value they bring to modern development. You will explore their benefits and limitations, learn how they fit into software projects, and set realistic expectations for their role in day-to-day work.
Working with Cursor
Here you will learn how to use Cursor effectively, from its chat interface to advanced codebase interaction. The module covers code generation, multi-line edits, smart rewrites, intelligent completion and quick editing methods that save time when working across large codebases.
Prompt Engineering
This section focuses on the art of writing prompts that produce accurate and useful outputs. You will understand how to manage context, refine prompts iteratively and recognise common mistakes that lead to poor results. The module equips you with practical techniques for consistent and reliable code generation.
Language Models for Coding
This module explains how large language models power AI assistants. You will examine context windows, model strengths and limitations, as well as how to manage issues such as hallucinations or outdated knowledge. By the end, you will know how to evaluate different models and choose the right one for your project.
Custom Instructions
Here you will discover how to create custom instructions to guide AI tools. You will learn to set up global and project-specific rules, align AI behaviour with team standards and ensure consistency across collaborative work. This module also covers productivity gains achieved by tailoring assistants to your development environment.
Using v0
This module introduces v0 and its role in UI and component generation. You will explore how it supports rapid prototyping, code execution and integration into development pipelines. Practical considerations for using v0 in production, along with tips for achieving high quality results, are also covered.
Working with aider
In this section you will install and configure aider, learning its core concepts and workflows. You will use advanced features to handle large codebases efficiently and integrate it with Git for version control. The module also introduces the architect mode, designed for managing complex development tasks.
AI in the Development Workflow
This module looks at the wider development lifecycle and where AI tools can add value. You will see how AI supports planning, design and architecture, as well as day-to-day coding. The module also highlights refinement, quality control and examples of how AI can be embedded into real-world workflows.
Using Windsurf
The final tool-based module explores the Windsurf IDE. You will learn its design philosophy, context awareness features and powerful autocomplete options. It also covers chat integration, the command palette, Codeium flows and cascade for code exploration, giving you a complete understanding of Windsurf as an AI-assisted environment.
