Choose AI by the job you need done

A task-based guide to AI chat, source notebooks, work agents, and coding tools.

Choose the job, then the tool. Application features and permissions matter as much as model names.

A conversation or a first draft

Try a chat you already have access to, such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. Bring the situation and revise the answer together. A basic text task is a good way to try free access.

Understanding a set of sources

Google’s Gemini Notebook, formerly NotebookLM, lets you work with a collection of source material. Open important citations and check that they support the claim.

A finished document or spreadsheet

ChatGPT Work and Claude Cowork can work through multiple steps with tools. Specify an artifact, permitted sources, and review points. Availability depends on account, app, and workspace policy.

A working app or a project of files

Codex and Claude Code support work involving files, commands, and tests. Use a bounded project, review changes, and verify results before publishing.

Do you need to pay?

Try your existing access first. Consider paying when a specific limit prevents useful work. Confirm live pricing, currency, taxes, and usage limits with the provider. This guide does not claim a universal model winner or a reproduced benchmark.

Sources

• OpenAI: Astra personality and writing style: Official writing prompts. Our standalone guide and Direct language editing request are labelled adaptations, with original examples.
• Ethan Mollick: An opinionated guide to which AI to use to do stuff: July 23, 2026. Editorial inspiration for moving from conversations to useful projects; not a benchmark reproduced by this site.
• OpenAI: ChatGPT Work overview: Official execution and permissions guidance. Features depend on account, app, and workspace settings.
• Anthropic: Get started with Claude Cowork: Official guidance for delegated tasks and connected work.
• Google: Add sources to your notebook: Official guidance on supported source material.
• Ole Lehmann: writing voice samples: From Graham’s saved-post editorial map. Inspiration for comparing a draft with your own writing; no detector-performance claim is adopted.
• Vox: a consistent editing approach: From the saved-post collection. Inspiration for concrete language and active verbs rather than an ever-growing word ban.
• Ethan Mollick: rhetorical vocabulary: From the saved-post collection. Inspiration for learning the names of creative choices and giving more specific direction.

Related Power of AI pages

Keep reading with Start here, everyday uses, the tool guide, the writing workshop, and sources and standards.