Trae AI a FREE AI Code Editor. Better than CURSOR ?
AI Summary
This video provides a comprehensive tutorial on Trae AI, a free AI-powered IDE that can build complete applications with just one prompt. The presenter demonstrates how to create custom AI agents, integrate databases, and use various advanced features for automated development.
Key Features Demonstrated
Custom Agent Creation
- Built a specialized “Developer Agent” for Next.js, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS development
- Configured with file system, terminal, web search, and preview access
- Customized instructions for front-end development workflows
One-Prompt Application Building
- Created a fully functional Image Resizer App with modern professional design
- Features include drag & drop image upload, aspect ratio controls, quality adjustment, and download functionality
- Built using Next.js, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS automatically
MCP (Model Context Protocol) Tools Integration
- Added PostgreSQL database integration through Neon database service
- Demonstrated natural language database queries without writing SQL code
- Seamless database schema exploration and integration with applications
Visual Design Modification
- Uploaded design mockups to modify existing applications
- AI analyzed images and converted visual designs to working code
- Demonstrated transforming the app interface to match a provided design reference
Context Management
- Added local files and documents as context for better AI responses
- URL indexing for external documentation (demonstrated with Pinia docs)
- Smart context referencing during development using hashtag notation
Advanced Configuration
- User rules: Global development preferences and instructions
- Project-specific rules: Individual application customization
- Auto-run terminal commands: Automated command execution with safety deny lists
- Multiple AI model support: Built-in models (Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Gemini 2.5 Pro, GPT-4o) and custom model integration via OpenRouter
Technical Capabilities
- Automated Development: Complete hands-free development from prompt to running application
- Built-in Preview: Instant application testing within the IDE
- Smart Code Completions: AI-powered code suggestions and completions
- Terminal Integration: Automated command execution and project management
- Professional UI/UX: Modern design patterns and responsive layouts
Getting Started
- Visit trae.ai to download the free application
- Install and set up development environment
- Create custom agents with specialized instructions
- Start building applications using natural language prompts
Comparison Points
The presenter positions Trae AI as a compelling alternative to other AI development tools like Cursor, emphasizing its completely free access, built-in preview capabilities, and extensive customization options through custom agents and MCP tools integration.
Target Audience
- Frontend developers seeking development acceleration
- Beginners wanting to build apps without extensive coding knowledge
- Experienced developers looking for AI-powered productivity tools
- Entrepreneurs needing rapid prototyping capabilities
- Students learning modern web development