To creatively code one must first in fact code. I went deep down the IDE->AI rabbit hole. They are amazing tools. However, I have settled into a bare-bones Sublime Text editing flow, wherein I pop into IDEs/AI as needed for one-off items. I am really enjoying it. Oh, I hit a snag? Well, let me think about it for a moment and then if I'm really stumped or need a second opinion I'll pop open Cursor.

Creativity is odd in that it is somewhat revelatory: it seemingly comes from outside of you. At least for me I need to minimize input (e.g. reading docs, AI chat, etc) in order for this revelation to "manifest" in my mind. I don't have the self control to "pause" in Cursor or other IDEs, so I use Sublime to truly read and wrestle with code.

N.B. this isn't some fanatically held rule...I'll do a whole session in Cursor if I know the task is appropriate for it (e.g. something that is mindless).