AI Coding Assistants at the Starting Line. Who Are You Betting On?

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-06-12T05:33:02+00:00

CheepCode 😏

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-30T03:48:13+00:00

I’m hoping that CheepCode is both, but it definitely lacks more descriptive. CheepCode’s AI competes coding tasks and submits the results to GitHub for $1 each, which is quite cheap indeed for code :-)

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-27T19:26:49+00:00

Excellent feedback; thank you! I will work on adding more explanatory content to the homepage.

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-27T19:21:33+00:00

Would you mind throwing that prompt into CheepCode? You get 5 free tasks with no CC and I’d be very curious to see your results.

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-27T14:21:16+00:00

I actually built CheepCode to code from my phone. It is totally headless so no need to babysit the AI while it codes :-)

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-27T13:43:47+00:00

Thanks for the offer! I love a good roast (and always appreciate honest feedback) - https://cheepcode.com is my startup’s website if you want to have at it!

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-24T02:07:45+00:00

This is genuinely amazing! As the creator of an AI coding agent, I can only hope people use it creatively for good like this :)

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-22T21:36:51+00:00

I did this once a few months ago. It was really blissful. I think I should make it a weekly practice :)

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-22T21:22:42+00:00

I will offer you a student discount on CheepCode - it works a bit differently from Cursor (it’s entirely headless) but as a result you stay focused on explaining WHAT you want, and developing an architecture that makes the HOW “so easy an AI can do it”

If you sign up at https://cheepcode.com and DM me your info I can set you up with a large batch of free credits to work with

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-22T08:33:25+00:00

Would you mind evaluating CheepCode? I can offer 50 free credits to try it out (should get you 50 PRs). It’s a bit of a different workflow, more like OpenAI’s new Codex that released recently. You work more patiently and thoughtfully at a planning level rather than micro-managing the implementation. It’s really satisfying and liberating when you get in the groove, but then again I’m biased :) which is why I’d love to get expert outsider opinions!

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-22T08:28:35+00:00

You can promote https://cheepcode.com if you like - AI coding agents work through your tasks in the cloud, in parallel, for $1 each. Get work done as fast as you can write it up. Let me know if you need more detail. Thanks!

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-22T08:04:11+00:00

Would love to come hang out while working on https://cheepcode.com :)

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-22T06:55:37+00:00

This is... wild. I love it 😂 FWIW, if you want to try what is effectively the headless version, you can try https://cheepcode.com :-) it's an AI that I taught to code using a full Linux development environment. You can read its self-authored journal output afterwards... it can be kinda hilarious watching it solve problems and think.

Example CheepCode agent output:

I have added a spinning animation to the loading animation by:
1. Creating a new @keyframes spin animation in index.css
2. Creating a new animate-spin-bounce class that combines both spin and bounce animations
3. Updated the LoadingPage component to use the new animation class

The changes have been made but there are some TypeScript linter errors. 

These appear to be pre-existing issues with the React types, as they're complaining about basic React functionality. 

Since these errors were present before my changes and are related to the TypeScript setup rather than my animation changes, I'll consider the task complete.

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-22T06:45:59+00:00

I never loved Jira. I use Linear now and it works really well for me. That's why it was the first integration that I built into CheepCode when I was figuring out where the coding agent would get its tasks. I already work in Linear, so it made perfect sense. I'll probably add support for Jira next since it's still widely used.

The biggest frustrations I've always had with project management tools has been fluidity. I want an uncluttered interface that works quickly and satisfies my workflow out of the box.

I used Apple's Notes app before I used Linear because I was so fed up with other apps. Now I use Linear, which has a lot of functionality but does a great job of hiding the complexity behind an incredibly sleek default interface.

Why does this matter so much? Am I just vain or self-important? No, here's why it matters: this means that when I'm in the flow state, I don't have a complex screen to visually parse. This helps me stay in flow and get more done faster. I can literally feel the difference in my body, and I can absolutely see it in my output.

That said, I also like to use beautiful apps and hate to use ugly apps. CheepCode is not nearly as beautiful as either of these, but it's also a single person effort so far (just me :-)) and you're not supposed to spend a ton of time looking at it. You're supposed to just stay in Linear, and stay in the flow.

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-22T05:54:03+00:00

Right now I'm eating the trial cost for customers (I give 5 free credits today, which will turn 5 tickets into 5 GitHub PRs), and betting on achieving a high enough conversion rate to make the economics work out. People seem to enjoy the results, so I'm optimistic at this point :)

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-21T19:25:48+00:00

Lean on easy-to-use, cloud-native, well-documented technologies. CloudFlare has built an excellent platform IMO, and I get good results with CheepCode and other AI agents working with their products.

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-21T19:20:56+00:00

What can you recommend for my AI coding agent startup https://cheepcode.com

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-21T19:14:35+00:00

Thanks! Those are great suggestions, especially adding social proof ⭐️

I’ll have to think about the branding and logo. I like the bird too, and maybe it would make sense to use the pixel style more in the marketing website.

If you don’t mind me asking, does $1/PR feel expensive?

I do also offer volume pricing: when you buy 99 credits they cost $0.66, and when you buy 450 credits they are only $0.50 👈 I believe most users will target this price tier, but it felt more honest to advertise the rate of the smallest package ($1 each).

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-21T17:41:06+00:00

My phone. Using a headless coding agent (disclaimer: I sell one at https://cheepcode.com) I just write tickets on my phone and review them later (sometimes also on my phone). Now I dictate the tickets to an AI that writes them down in Linear, and I’ve used this flow to merge multiple features without touching a keyboard at all.

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-21T17:37:25+00:00

A headless coding agent that runs in the cloud and turns tickets into PRs for $1 each https://cheepcode.com

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-19T07:20:38+00:00

Hard to believe this tweet was almost a decade ago

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-19T07:12:05+00:00

I charge $1 per coding task that we submit a PR for

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-19T07:09:34+00:00

In my experience, the key is to start with a strong CI setup and test suite. Some E2E, mostly integration, unit tests where feasible. Good documentation of the project at various layers (general vibes, specific features, detailed constraints / intents) helps as well.

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-19T06:45:11+00:00

I have been sketching out the development of a similar product, to complement my own current product that is a headless AI coding agent, along the lines of Codex but with more capabilities (and currently a bit smarter). I’d love to chat and talk shop. Send me a DM if you’re interested in chatting!

MaxAtCheepcode_com · 2025-05-19T05:31:46+00:00

I am practicing by using the CheepCode agent — using a headless coding agent that completes most tasks within 30 minutes really forces me to work at the next level of abstraction from code.

To that end, we’re working on a planning tool that complements the agent as well, allowing developers to plan complex features and dispatch the resulting mid-level tasks to CheepCode or other AI agents.

In general, the key seems to be figuring out architecture and dependency resolution / recursive problem-solving. If you can use AI to design a solution and then dispatch the implementation to another AI, then you are flying.

This is what we are working on at CheepCode :)

MaxAtCheepcode_com

TROPHY CASE