The Ultimate Guide: Which AI Coding Model Should You Use

Ever wondered which AI model is truly best for coding tasks? Spoiler alert: there’s no one‑size‑fits‑all answer. Instead, I switch between top‑tier models depending on the task. Here’s my go‑to lineup and why it works wonders.

I'll use Cursor IDE as an example, but the same principles apply to other AI coding tools.

🛠️ My Model Workflow

💎 gemini-2.5-pro – My Default All‑Rounder

I rely on Gemini for most tasks: planning, execution, and drafting docs. It’s my everyday workhorse-fast, insightful, and reliable.

🎨 claude-4-sonnet (thinking) – For Beautiful UI/UX

When it's time to build or revamp the frontend, I switch to Claude‑4‑Sonnet. Its styling finesse and design‑savvy code make it perfect for initial setup or feature‑rich interfaces. Since it costs about double Gemini, I quickly return to Gemini after the heavy lifting is done.

🚧 o3 – The Breakthrough Model

When I hit a wall-bugs or logic loops that seem unsolvable-o3 steps in. Recent price cuts make it more affordable, but its brevity means I only use it for major obstacles. Once the issue's cracked, it's back to Gemini for full implementation.

📋 Gemini + Claude Combo – For Clean Execution

For large projects, my workflow is:

1. Plan with Gemini gemini-2.5-pro → generate structured Markdown breakdowns
2. Execute with Claude‑4‑Sonnet claude-4-sonnet (standard mode)

This duo gives me precise, well‑organized results without the “thinking noise” of Gemini. Claude follows the plan faithfully.

✍️ gpt-4.1 – For Polished Human Docs

Finally, for rewriting documentation, I call in GPT‑4.1. Gemini goes over the code and drafts the docs according to logic; then I prompt GPT‑4.1 to make them natural, human‑friendly, state‑of‑the‑art. Its English style simply outshines the rest, probably because I'm used to interacting with ChatGPT in the last couple of years.

📌 TL;DR: Which LLM for Which Task

✅ Why This Setup Works for Me

• Efficiency: I use Gemini as my stable foundation for most work.
• Specialization: I deploy other models only where they excel-Claude for styling, o3 for breakthroughs, GPT‑4.1 for writing polish.
• Cost control: I minimize expensive model usage to specific tasks where they add the most value.

💡 Final Thought

In Cursor, the smartest model isn’t always the most powerful one-it’s the right tool for the task. Tailoring your workflow across these LLMs gives you speed, quality, and cost‑effectiveness. 😉

Feel free to let me know if you'd like me to add sample Cursor commands or prompts!