Why an AI Subscription Isn't a Cheap API

Why an AI Subscription Isn’t a Cheap API#

2026-08-20

A personal subscription path and a metered API path lead toward the same AI through separate gates and billing systems

The Better You Get at Using AI, the More Cost Matters#

When I first started using AI, model quality was what mattered most. I compared which model wrote better code, read long documents more accurately, and reasoned more deeply. But once AI became part of my actual work and my usage grew, my attention shifted. Using AI well now matters as much as being able to keep using it sustainably.

How to Add Coding Runtimes to an AI Agent Web Service

How to Add Coding Runtimes to an AI Agent Web Service#

2026-04-19

Cover for coding runtime strategy in an AI agent web service

When you start designing or building an AI agent web service, one question shows up surprisingly early:

“If these agents are supposed to do real work, where does their coding ability actually come from?”

At first, it is tempting to think the answer is straightforward. Call a strong model API, add file editing, let it run shell commands, execute tests, and package the results. But once you look more closely, the problem expands fast.

Where Should You Use Codex? A Guide to CLI, App, Cursor, and Claude Code

Where Should You Use Codex? A Guide to CLI, App, Cursor, and Claude Code#

2026-04-12

Codex environment guide cover

These days, a lot of people are saying good things about Codex. But the moment you try to actually use it, things get confusing.

  • Should you use Codex CLI?
  • Is there a separate Codex App?
  • Should you install the Codex extension inside Cursor?
  • Or is it enough to simply choose a Codex model inside Cursor chat?
  • Should you connect it to Claude Code as a plugin?

I had the same questions, so I went through the official documentation and organized what I found. I tried to write this in a way that even beginners, or people who do not usually work with coding tools, can follow comfortably.

© 2026 Ted Kim. All Rights Reserved. | Email Contact