The Indie Dev Stack

Ship production code faster with AI-powered development

This workflow combines five AI coding tools into a single pipeline that takes you from idea to deployed code. You end up with a production-grade application built with real-time collaboration between AI agents and your own judgment. Why this combination? Each tool fills a specific gap: Claude Code handles deep, autonomous code generation and file editing; Cursor provides a familiar editor with powerful AI completions; GitHub Copilot speeds up boilerplate and inline suggestions; v0 generates UI components with beautiful shadcn/ui styling; and Windsurf orchestrates the entire process by managing agents, reviewing changes, and coordinating deployments. This stack is for solo developers and small teams who want to ship faster without sacrificing quality, leveraging AI at every stage without losing control.

The workflow, step by step

1
Initiate with Claude Code
Claude Code
Use Claude Code in your terminal to generate the initial project structure, configure frameworks, and write core logic. Its agentic nature allows it to run commands and edit files autonomously, making it ideal for bootstrapping.
Hand-off → A working project skeleton with essential files and configuration.
2
Refine in Cursor
Cursor
Open the project in Cursor to make targeted edits with AI-powered code suggestions. Cursor’s contextual completions and chat let you quickly adjust logic, fix bugs, and add features without leaving your editor.
Hand-off → A polished codebase with refined logic and minimal errors.
3
Accelerate with Copilot
GitHub Copilot
Let Copilot handle repetitive patterns, unit tests, and documentation inline. Its lightning-fast suggestions reduce keystrokes for common constructs, freeing you to focus on architecture.
Hand-off → More complete code with tests and comments added where needed.
4
Generate UI with v0
v0
Describe your user interface in natural language (e.g., 'a dashboard with a sidebar and data table') and v0 outputs ready-to-use React components with shadcn/ui styling. This step rapidly builds the front-end without wrestling with CSS.
Hand-off → A set of React components you can drop into your project.
5
Orchestrate with Windsurf
Windsurf
Use Windsurf to create an agent that reviews all changes, runs tests, deploys to staging, and coordinates final integration. It ties together the outputs from previous steps, ensuring everything works together and is shipped via a single command.
You end with: A fully shipped production application with automated testing and deployment.

$15/mo Pro

Frequently asked questions

How much does this full stack cost?

Claude Code and GitHub Copilot are paid (typically $10–20/month each), Cursor Pro is $20/month, v0 is free for basic use (paid for more, starting at $20/month), and Windsurf has a free tier with paid options ($15/month). So expect around $75–100/month for all premium features.

Are there free alternatives to these tools?

Yes, you can use Cursor’s free tier, GitHub Copilot’s free trial, Claude’s free tier (though not the agentic version), and v0’s free credits. For Windsurf, the free tier is limited but usable. However, the full pipeline works best with paid subscriptions for reliability and speed.

Where should I start if I’m new to AI coding?

Start with GitHub Copilot in your existing editor because it’s the easiest to set up and helps immediately. Then gradually incorporate Claude Code for larger tasks, Cursor for an enhanced editing experience, v0 for UI, and finally Windsurf for orchestration.

What common mistakes should I avoid?

Avoid over-relying on AI without review—always test generated code. Don’t skip the orchestration step; using tools in isolation creates integration problems. Also, avoid using v0 for complex, highly custom UIs beyond its component templates.