Essential AI Tools for Web Development

Every developer knows the grind: tracking bugs, maintaining workflows, chasing down missing assets, testing features, updating documentation...the list goes on. It’s easy for tasks to slip through the cracks and cause a project to stall, but AI tools can make it much more manageable. From automating routine tasks to assisting with code, AI supports developers so they can focus on the parts of the job that require more intentional creativity and experience.  

While thunder::tech is constantly testing new tools, here’s a few our team uses for web development. Each one plays a role in helping projects move faster—without sacrificing quality or attention to detail.  
 

How can ChatGPT and Claude speed up web development? 

Tools like ChatGPT and Claude are large language models (LLMs) that make the day-to-day of web development a little easier. They can generate code snippets, untangle confusing logic and explain errors that might otherwise slow a project down. They’re especially useful when you need a quick reference or an extra brain for research and ideation. 

ChatGPT and Claude are constantly at work handling tasks that might otherwise distract from core development. This includes:  

• Generate code for dashboards or websites: AI can quickly produce boilerplate code or even more complex functions, which saves time on repetitive coding. It allows more time to perfect features and fine-tune performance, making sure the project hits all goals. 

• Identify and resolve issues in CMS platforms like Kentico: When a bug or unexpected behavior pops up, ChatGPT or Claude can provide explanations, suggest fixes or offer step-by-step guidance. Instead of spending hours hunting through documentation or forum posts, you get clear, actionable insights to keep the project moving. 

• Parse and analyze data, from project files to support tickets: AI can scan through large datasets or logs and summarize key points, highlight trends or identify anomalies. This speeds up decision-making and ensures that important details don’t get overlooked during development or project review. 

These tools help with handling the small but necessary stuff, giving developers the support to stay on top of every detail without losing momentum. They keep the wheels turning smoothly, so you can prioritize refining logic and testing new ideas. 
 

Are there tools to help write code faster? 

Yes, Cursor is a development environment designed to make coding more efficient and more organized. Unlike standard code editors, Cursor integrates AI directly into the workflow. It can write, edit and refactor code quickly, all while keeping the project structure intact. 

What sets Cursor apart is its ability to leverage multiple AI models at the same time. This allows you to get different perspectives on a problem or compare alternative solutions without leaving the editor. It keeps everything in one place, so you can maintain focus and avoid losing context. 

Cursor also integrates with Task-Master, which acts as a project manager inside your development environment. It organizes tasks, maintains context and flags what still needs attention. During a lengthy debugging process, for example, Task-Master ensures each issue is logged and resolved in order. That means developers never lose track of what’s done and what’s next (and neither will the AI agent). 


 

AI-integrated research & automation tools 

MCPs, or Model Context Protocols, are what let AI move beyond answering questions—they allow it to interact with other systems, like web search engines, file storage or automation scripts. In other words, MCPs turn AI into a tool that can actually perform tasks instead of just suggesting them.  

MCPs can live inside tools like Claude Desktop and Cursor, where they act as connectors between the AI and external systems. These integrations open up a range of practical applications. For example: 

• Automated website testing and QA: AI can run tests, check for errors and flag issues across websites, helping catch problems early in the development process. 

• Web research and content analysis: Whether it’s gathering information from multiple sources or analyzing content trends, AI can handle the heavy lifting of research quickly and consistently. 

• File management and documentation support: From organizing project files to generating documentation, AI helps keep everything structured and accessible. 

By connecting directly to the systems developers rely on, MCPs make AI an active part of the workflow. They help reduce repetitive tasks, improve accuracy and keep projects running smoothly from research to deployment. 
 

Custom AI tools we’ve made along the way 

Beyond using off-the-shelf platforms, AI has empowered our team to build custom tools that fit everyday development needs. Each one combines AI with automation to save time and create more reliable websites. Here’s how we’ve put them into practice: 
 

Support insights 

This tool works with Claude Desktop to analyze specific support tickets on demand. By querying individual tickets, it can surface patterns, summarize sentiment and highlight recurring issues. This makes it easier to spot trends across requests and identify problems that may need a deeper fix. 
 

SSL monitoring 

SSL certificates expiring in the background can cause avoidable downtime, so we built a system that keeps an eye on them. A dashboard tracks expiration dates, while alerts go out before anything lapses. It’s a straightforward safeguard that prevents disruptions and keeps sites secure. 
 

Media and content compliance 

Our content compliance tool uses AI to scan media libraries for potential issues. It can flag copyrighted or restricted images and even check where existing content shows up online. This helps protect brands from unintentional misuse while keeping content libraries organized. 
 

These tools exist because of real pain points—expired SSLs, scattered hosting data, overflowing ticket queues. Now they’re part of our toolkit that keeps our projects efficient and easier to manage. 
 

Build better websites with AI 

AI has changed the way we work and at thunder::tech, we’re embracing it. By integrating AI into our development process, our team can streamline testing, research, documentation and code management while maintaining quality and consistency. When used intentionally, AI becomes a practical partner rather than a gimmick. 



These AI tools can do some of the work, but the real results come from a team that knows how to use it effectively. Reach out and let our developers run your web project from start to finish! 

And behind the scenes isn’t the only place AI makes a difference. With our partnership with ai12z, we’re also helping brands build faster, more intuitive websites that improve the user experience from the front end. Let’s talk about what that could look like for your site.