Using coding agents: Claude Code, Cursor, Codex and more
Practical guides to each coding agent by name: installing it, adding MCP servers, writing its instructions file and the workflows that hold up.
6 articles
- 1 How to use Claude Code: a practical guide How to use Claude Code: install it, write a CLAUDE.md, pick a permission mode, steer it mid-task, script it with -p and connect it to your tools with MCP.
Boris Tane 6 min read - 2 How to add MCP servers to Cursor How to add MCP servers to Cursor: project and global mcp.json files, remote and local servers, OAuth sign-in, secrets from env vars and tool approvals. Boris Tane 3 min read
- 3 How to use Codex CLI: install, AGENTS.md, MCP and exec How to use Codex CLI: install it, sign in, write an AGENTS.md, set permissions, resume sessions, script it with codex exec and add MCP servers. Boris Tane 3 min read
- 4 How to use OpenCode: install, plan and build, MCP How to use OpenCode: install it, connect a provider, write an AGENTS.md with /init, switch between Plan and Build, undo changes and add MCP servers. Boris Tane 3 min read
- 5 How to add MCP servers to GitHub Copilot in VS Code How to add MCP servers to GitHub Copilot in VS Code: workspace and user mcp.json, HTTP and stdio servers, MCP: Add Server and confirming tool calls. Boris Tane 3 min read
- 6 How to use the Pi coding agent How to use the Pi coding agent: install it, sign in with /login, pick a model, branch sessions with /tree and /fork, compact context and script it with -p. Boris Tane 3 min read