# AI Programming in 2025: TRAE 3.0 SOLO Mode & Doubao-Seed-Code Overview
AI-assisted programming has been popular for some time — whether you’re a developer or just an everyday user, you can use AI to build small games or prototype tools.
While many AI-made tools start out as fun experiments, some are genuinely useful. One question we often get is: **“What’s the best programming model right now?”**
**Claude 4.5 + Cursor** has long been a top choice among developers. However, these tools are not very friendly to users in China — paying the same subscription fee might still leave many models unavailable.
**This time, ByteDance’s new release means no restrictions and local availability.**
---
## Introducing TRAE 3.0 — A Domestic Alternative to Cursor
Yesterday, **ByteDance** released its upgraded programming tool: **TRAE 3.0**.
From our testing, TRAE offers a **domestic alternative to Cursor** and even surpasses it in certain aspects.
Key highlight: its **SOLO Mode**, a new paradigm in AI programming tools. SOLO Mode includes two intelligent agents:
- **SOLO Coder** — for professional developers, handling complex project development.
- **SOLO Builder** — for individuals or small teams, enabling product creation from a single prompt.
These agents cover almost **every step of traditional software development**, from planning to publication.
Currently, **SOLO Mode is free to try** until the 15th.
👉 Download from [trae.ai](https://trae.ai), install, log in, and start building.
After the trial, pricing is more affordable than Cursor:
- **$3/month (first month)**
- **$10/month thereafter**
---
## SOLO Mode — Changing the "Vibe Coding" Game
SOLO Mode debuted in TRAE 2.0 for quickly creating simple apps.
In **TRAE 3.0**, it keeps the fast-build edge, **adds support for complex projects**, and dramatically boosts efficiency.
Previously, AI coding (via ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) was mostly **vibe coding** — chatting with an AI to solve problems and produce isolated code files. TRAE’s SOLO Mode changes that:
- **Interface**: task list instead of file manager, no central editor.
- **Workflow**: handled via an AI agent panel.
---
### SOLO Coder — For Complex Projects
Choose **SOLO Coder** if you have:
- Large legacy projects
- Need for bug fixes, feature iterations, architecture changes
Example test:
We fed SOLO Coder a massive GitHub open-source project (thousands of lines) and asked it to **optimize network structures**.
The agent **installed dependencies automatically** and switched tool panels in real time.
#### Parallel Processing & Real-Time Visualization
While processing tasks, SOLO Mode allows:
- **Multiple tasks in parallel**
- **Real-time visualization** of each tool call
TRAE calls this *“real-time follow.”*
---
## SOLO Builder — From Concept to Published App
SOLO Builder functions like tools such as **Lovable**: start from **one sentence** and build a production-ready app.
Differences:
- Leverages TRAE’s **full dev ecosystem**: editor, docs, terminal, browser, Figma integration.
- Handles **requirements analysis, UI design, development, deployment**.
The process:
1. **Draft docs** — product requirements, architecture.
2. **Confirm scope** — AI requests approval before coding.
3. **Build & test** — AI works silently.
4. **Deploy** — Suggests hosting via **Vercel**.
Example: We requested a **Slack-off App** and got a full build plan.
Note: SOLO Mode is **international-only** for now.
Domestic users can join the waitlist here: https://www.trae.cn/solo
---
## Doubao-Seed-Code — ByteDance’s New Programming Model
While SOLO mode is limited domestically, ByteDance has launched **Doubao-Seed-Code** in China.
Optimized for **Agentic AI** capabilities:
- **Outperforms domestic models** in benchmarks
- **Lowest cost** among major local models
Cost comparison (same 0–32k token task):
- Claude Sonnet 4.5 ≈ ¥4.05
- GLM-4.6 ≈ ¥0.77
- Doubao-Seed-Code ≈ ¥0.34
 
---
### Key Features
- **256K context length**
- **Visual understanding**
- **Claude Code API compatibility**
- Integration with TRAE, Cursor, Codex CLI, Cline
---
## Visual Understanding in Action
Doubao-Seed-Code can generate code directly from a sketch.
Example: hand-drawn webpage → high-fidelity HTML front-end.
Also tested with a **Flappy Bird screenshot**:
Result: playable game in HTML — AI replaced the bird with a dot but still functional.
---
### Real-World Usage in TRAE
Local environment control allows richer workflows.
We asked it to build a **personal portfolio** site from past APPSO articles.
#### Training Approach
- 100,000 varied environments
- End-to-end reinforcement learning without manual guidance
---
### Integration with Claude Code
ByteDance offers setup guides for Claude Code + Doubao-Seed-Code.
After setup, your Claude Code view will show the model:
---
## Context: Market Trends
- Cursor’s latest valuation: **$30 billion**
- Projected to be fastest to **$1B ARR**
- Collins Dictionary added “Vibe Coding” as a 2025 word
Other domestic models to watch:
- **GLM 4.6**
- **Qwen Coder**
- **Minimax M2**
- **Kimi K2 Thinking**
---
## Final Thoughts
TRAE’s SOLO Mode + Doubao-Seed-Code show ByteDance’s intent to **fully integrate AI across the dev cycle**.
While AI may not replace programmers entirely in the next few years, the possibility of AI building complex apps (even a WeChat clone) is now more realistic.
---
**Related resources:**
- TRAE International: https://trae.ai
- TRAE China: https://www.trae.cn
- Doubao-Seed-Code Experience: https://www.volcengine.com/experience/ark?model=doubao-seed-code-preview-251028
- AiToEarn (Multi-platform AI publishing & monetization): [AiToEarn官网](https://aitoearn.ai), [AiToEarn博客](https://blog.aitoearn.ai), [AI模型排名](https://rank.aitoearn.ai)
