Start here: the default answer
When in doubt, start with Claude
Claude is our primary tool. It's where all our client projects, brand guides, and Communication Codexes live. If you're not sure which tool to use for something, start with Claude. Only go to another tool if Claude genuinely isn't the right fit for that specific task.
Most of the time, Claude is the right fit.
The full tool reference table
Here's where each tool shines. Bookmark this if you need a quick lookup.
| Task | Best Tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Client copywriting (social, blog, web) | Claude (via client Project) | Communication Codex integration, brand voice consistency |
| Quick formulas and spreadsheet help | ChatGPT | Better at structured data and formula syntax. Login credentials for ChatGPT are here. |
| Zapier automation setup | ChatGPT | Better training data on Zapier-specific workflows and API references. Login credentials for ChatGPT are here. |
| Notion configuration help | ChatGPT | Better training data on Notion's API and features. Login credentials for ChatGPT are here. |
| Code debugging and development | Claude or Cursor | Claude for reasoning about code, Cursor for in-editor help |
| Photo editing (remove background, fill) | Photoshop AI (Firefly) | Integrated into the existing design workflow |
| AI image generation | Ideogram | Best text-on-image rendering, good for mockups |
| SEO content optimization | Claude (with SEO+LLM prompt) | Dual SEO and LLM scoring framework built for Claude |
| Meeting transcription | Gemini (via Google Meet) | Auto-generates from Google Meet recordings |
| Dictation / converting your own speech to text | Wispr Flow | Cleanly converts speech to text (not for meeting note-taking). See the Wispr Flow guide in Notion. |
| Summarizing a transcript | Claude | Strong at long-context summarization |
| Research and fact-finding | Claude (Research mode) or ChatGPT (with browsing) | Both can search the web. Verify claims from either one. |
| Reddit content writing | Claude (with Reddit rules) | OO has specific Reddit AI rules built for Claude |
| Complex data analysis | Use cautiously with any tool | AI hallucinates numbers. Always verify independently. |
Choosing a Claude model
When you're inside Claude, you'll sometimes see model options. Here's when to use each one:
Claude Sonnet
Best for everyday writing, brainstorming, and summarizing. Fast and cost-effective. This is your default for most tasks.
Claude Opus
Best for complex reasoning, advanced coding, and nuanced analysis. Slower and uses more API credits. Use it when Sonnet isn't cutting it.
Claude Haiku
Best for quick, simple tasks. Fastest and cheapest. Good when you need a fast answer on something straightforward.
A word on Gemini
Gemini's primary use case at OO is generating meeting transcripts via Google Meet. It does that well. For content creation, research, or client work? Stick to Claude. Gemini's quality is inconsistent and it doesn't have any of the client context that Claude Projects provide.
How to think about tool selection
The key question isn't "which AI is smartest?" It's "which tool has the right context for this job?" Claude wins most of the time for content work because it has our clients' Communication Codexes, brand guidelines, and approved examples loaded in. That context matters more than raw model capability.
ChatGPT wins for formulas and Zapier because its training data on those specific tools is better. Ideogram wins for image generation because it handles text in images better. Cursor wins for in-editor coding because it's built for that workflow.
Use the right tool for the job. And when the right tool isn't obvious, use Claude.
Try it yourself
Think of a task you did this week that involved AI. Using the table above, were you using the best tool for that task? If not, what would you use now?
If you haven't used ChatGPT with Google Spreadsheets or Zapier yet, try it out. It can help you come up with complex formulas.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using Gemini for client copy. It doesn't have the Codex, and the quality isn't there.
- Using Claude for spreadsheet formulas when ChatGPT is faster. The right tool for the job saves you time.
- Trusting AI for data analysis without verifying. This applies to every tool, not just Claude.
- Using Haiku for complex tasks to save credits. The quality drop isn't worth it. Use Sonnet or Opus when the output matters.