How to Use Augment Code for Vibe Coding Beginners

Master Augment Code with this tutorial & see how it stacks up vs. Cursor—pricing, API limits, and more for 2025 coding!

Ashley Goolam

Ashley Goolam

11 April 2025

How to Use Augment Code for Vibe Coding Beginners

Hey, coder! If you’re knee-deep in VS Code and dreaming of an AI buddy to turbocharge your workflow, you’ve probably heard of Augment Code and Cursor. These two are shaking up the coding world in 2025, and I’m here to spill the beans on how to use Augment Code—plus pit it against Cursor in a friendly face-off. We’ll dive into setup, usage, pricing, and those pesky API call limits, all with a chill vibe. Ready to level up your coding game? Let’s roll!


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What is Augment Code? Your New Coding BFF

First off, what’s Augment Code? It’s a slick VS Code extension that brings AI muscle to your editor. Think of it as a super-smart assistant who knows your codebase inside out—your files, your style, even your quirks. Unlike basic autocompleters, Augment Code tackles big tasks, edits files, and learns from you over time with its “Memories” feature. Launched in April 2025, it’s already topping charts like SWE-Bench with a 65.4% score, leaving competitors in the dust. If you’re juggling a massive project, this is your go-to.

augment code

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Augment Code

Getting Augment Code up and running is super easy. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Install VS Code (If You Haven’t Already)

You’ll need Visual Studio Code—grab it from code.visualstudio if it’s not already on your machine. It’s free and the perfect playground for Augment Code and many more powerful AI-powered coding assistants (e.g. Cline, RooCode and Gemini Code Assist).

vs code download

Step 2: Add Augment Code

  1. Open VS Code.
  2. Hit the Extensions icon (or Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X).
  3. Search “Augment Code” and click Install. Boom—it’s in!
install augment code

Step 3: Sign Up and Pick a Plan

Head to augmentcode, sign up, and choose a plan (more on pricing later). The free Community plan is solid for solo devs, but the Developer or Enterprise tiers unlock unlimited power.

sign up on augment code

After creating your account and selecting a suitable plan (community version should work just fine for this tutorial), log in via VS Code, and you’re set.

sign to augment code

Step 4: Sync Your Codebase

Once installed, Augment Code scans your project automatically—no manual uploads needed. Its Context Engine dives into your files, dependencies, and structure, so it’s ready to roll with spot-on suggestions.

Step 5: Start Chatting

Open the Augment Code sidebar (look for the “A” icon), and you’re good to go. Type a task—like “Add a login form”—and watch the magic happen!

start chatting with augment code

How to Use Augment Code: A Real-World Example

Let’s put Augment Code to work with a simple Node.js API. Open a fresh project, and let’s build an endpoint to fetch user data.

Step 1: Give It a Task

In the sidebar, type:

Create a Node.js endpoint to return a list of users from a mock array.

Hit enter—no need to specify files; Augment Code’s got this.

Step 2: Watch It Work

Augment Code will:

step by step process of executing a command
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const port = 3000;

const users = [
  { id: 1, name: 'Alice' },
  { id: 2, name: 'Bob' },
];

app.get('/users', (req, res) => {
  res.json(users);
});

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server running on port ${port}`);
});

Step 3: Review and Approve

You’ll see the code in your editor with an “Apply” button. Check it, tweak it (maybe add error handling), and hit Apply. Done!

Step 4: Iterate

Want more? Say:

Add a POST endpoint to add a new user.

Augment Code updates server.js, keeping everything in sync. It’s like having a co-founder who codes!

How to Use VSCode MCP Server
This tutorial will guide you through everything you need to know about using MCP servers with VSCode, from initial setup to advanced configurations and troubleshooting.

Augment Code Features You’ll Love

Here’s why Augment Code shines:

It’s not just about typing faster—it’s about coding smarter.

Augment Code vs. Cursor: The Big Showdown

Now, let’s stack Augment Code up against Cursor, another AI coding hotshot. Both are awesome, but they’ve got different vibes—especially on pricing and API call limits. Let’s break it down!

augment code vs cursor

What is Cursor?

Cursor is an AI-first code editor built on VS Code’s bones. It’s got a sleek interface, autocomplete magic, and a chat feature to generate code. Think of it as a souped-up IDE with AI baked in. It’s great for quick projects and has a loyal fanbase.

cursor

Setup and Compatibility

Winner? Augment Code if you love your VS Code workflow; Cursor if you want a fresh start.

How They Handle Context

Winner? Augment Code—it’s a beast for complex, sprawling codebases.

Features Face-Off

Winner? Depends—Augment Code for depth, Cursor for simplicity.

Pricing: Augment Code vs. Cursor

Here’s where it gets juicy—how much do these bad boys cost, and what’s the deal with API limits?

Augment Code Pricing

Augment Code keeps it straightforward (as of April 10, 2025, per augmentcode.com):

No per-token charges here—just flat rates. Even on the free tier, you get a 14-day Developer trial to test the full power. The catch? Heavy chatters might hit that 3,000-message wall on Community.

Cursor Pricing

Cursor (per cursor.com, April 2025) goes a different route:

Cursor’s “requests” include chats, edits, or tool calls—say “Hi” ($0.04) or edit 10 files ($0.04). It’s cheap until you’re a power user, then costs spike. You can bring your own API key (e.g., OpenAI), but core features still tap Cursor’s models.

Pricing Winner?

If you code all day, Augment Code saves your wallet long-term. Casual coders? Cursor’s Pro tier is a steal—until you hit the limit.

How to Use Cursor Agent Mode
This tutorial will guide you through using Cursor Agent Mode effectively, from setup to advanced techniques, helping you leverage this powerful tool to enhance your productivity while maintaining control over your development process.

API Call Limitations: The Nitty-Gritty

API limits are where these tools diverge big-time.

Augment Code API Limits

Cursor API Limits

Winner? Augment Code—unlimited trumps capped any day for serious coders.

Augment Code vs. Cursor: Which Should You Pick?

Choose Augment Code if:

Choose Cursor if:

For me, Augment Code edges out with its context mastery and flat pricing—perfect for my sprawling Node.js messes. But Cursor’s $20 entry point is tempting for quick hacks.

Final Thoughts: Code Smarter in 2025

Whether you roll with Augment Code or Cursor, you’re stepping into the future of coding. Augment Code is your powerhouse for big, brainy tasks with no limits holding you back. Cursor keeps it light and affordable—until you outgrow its caps. Fire up VS Code, install Augment Code, and try that API example—or test Cursor’s free tier. What’s your pick?

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