Appendix D: Tool Decision Matrix
Quick reference for choosing the right tool.
Primary Decision: What Are You Doing?
| Task | Best Tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Writing new code | Cursor | Agent mode + file editing |
| Editing existing code | Cursor | Full IDE integration |
| Multi-file refactoring | Cursor | Can see and edit all files |
| Debugging with error messages | Cursor | Can read code context |
| Writing tests | Cursor | Needs codebase access |
| Code review discussion | ChatGPT | Better for conversation |
| Architecture planning | ChatGPT | Better for back-and-forth |
| Learning a new technology | ChatGPT | Better for explanation |
| Quick terminal task | Claude Code | No GUI needed |
| Remote server work | Claude Code | Works over SSH |
| CI/CD scripts | Claude Code | Terminal-native |
By Situation
//"I need to implement a feature"
Use: Cursor
- Start new chat in Agent mode
- Reference relevant existing code
- Describe the feature
- Review and accept changes
//"I'm stuck on a bug"
Use: Cursor
- Start new chat
- Include file with bug:
@file - Paste full error message
- Describe expected vs actual behavior
//"I need to plan before coding"
Use: ChatGPT Projects
- Create/open relevant project
- Discuss the approach
- Get a plan before implementation
- Then switch to Cursor to implement
//"I want to understand unfamiliar code"
Use: ChatGPT or Cursor
- Cursor if you want to explore the codebase interactively
- ChatGPT if you want to discuss and learn
//"I'm working on a remote server"
Use: Claude Code
- Works in terminal over SSH
- No GUI required
- Can read/edit files and run commands
//"I need to automate something"
Use: Claude Code
- Good for shell scripts
- Can iterate on command-line tools
- Terminal-native workflow
Quick Lookup Table
| I want to... | Use |
|---|---|
| Write a new function | Cursor |
| Fix a bug | Cursor |
| Refactor code | Cursor |
| Write tests | Cursor |
| Understand how something works | ChatGPT/Cursor |
| Plan a feature | ChatGPT |
| Learn a new library | ChatGPT |
| Discuss architecture | ChatGPT |
| Work remotely via SSH | Claude Code |
| Write a bash script | Claude Code |
| Quick terminal automation | Claude Code |
When Tools Work Together
//Planning → Implementation
ChatGPT (plan) → Cursor (implement)
//Learning → Applying
ChatGPT (learn) → Cursor (apply)
//Remote → Local Development
Claude Code (quick remote fix) → Cursor (substantial local dev)
//Debug Escalation
Cursor (first try) → ChatGPT (discuss if stuck) → Cursor (implement fix)
Model Selection (Within Tools)
Most tools let you choose models. General guidance:
| Task Type | Suggested Model |
|---|---|
| Complex reasoning | Claude Opus, GPT-4 |
| Standard coding | Claude Sonnet, GPT-4 |
| Quick tasks | Claude Haiku, GPT-3.5 |
| Very long context | Gemini (if available) |
Default recommendation: Use the best model available for important work. Use faster/cheaper models for simple tasks.
The One-Sentence Rule
If it involves editing files, use Cursor. If it's discussion or planning, use ChatGPT. If you're in a terminal, use Claude Code.