How to Build Your Personal AI Stack
You do not need every AI tool. You need the right ones for how you work. Start with one, build a habit, then add a second tool only when a specific gap appears.
The core tools
ChatGPT — versatile all-rounder; best starting point for most people. Claude — best writing AI; ideal for long documents and analysis. Perplexity — research with cited sources; add this for fact-finding. Gemini — best for Google Workspace users.
Recommended starter stacks
Beginners: ChatGPT free — one tool, lowest barrier. Knowledge workers: Claude Pro + free Perplexity. Google Workspace users: Gemini Advanced + free Perplexity. Writers/creators: ChatGPT Plus + Claude free.
5-step setup
1. Start with one tool. 2. Learn to prompt well — give context, format, and constraints. 3. Add Perplexity for research. 4. Build prompt templates for your 3–5 most common tasks. 5. Review your stack every 3 months as the tools improve.
Related: How to Use AI Well • How to Check AI Answers