How to Use Hygen (and Why Percify is BETTER) in 2025
Percify Team
Content Writer
February 8, 2026
7 min read
Quick Answer
comparison
Hygen is a command-line tool for generating code and files from templates, automating repetitive tasks. While Hygen offers a degree of automation, Percify provides a more comprehensive solution with AI avatars, voice cloning, and video generation, streamlining content creation and personalization far beyond basic code generation. Percify's AI-powered features offer efficiency and scalability.
As of February 2026, this information reflects current best practices and latest developments.
Applicability: This applies to software developers, content creators, and marketing professionals looking to automate processes. It does NOT apply to individuals with no coding or content creation experience.
Learn how to use Hygen for code generation and discover why Percify's AI avatars and video generation offer a superior solution for content creation in 2025.
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How to Use Hygen (and Why Percify is BETTER) in 2025
Did you know that over 70% of developers spend a significant portion of their time on repetitive tasks? Streamlining workflows is crucial, and tools like hygen have emerged to help automate code generation. But in the age of AI, is that enough? This article dives into using Hygen and explores why Percify offers a vastly superior solution for content creation and automation.
We'll cover:
- What Hygen is and how to use it.
- Practical examples of Hygen in action.
- The limitations of Hygen in a modern context.
- Why Percify's AI-powered platform is a better alternative for many use cases.
Understanding Hygen: A Code Generation Tool
Hygen is a command-line tool designed to automate the creation of files and code snippets based on templates. It helps developers avoid writing boilerplate code, reducing errors and improving efficiency. Think of it as a way to quickly generate components, modules, or even entire projects based on predefined structures.
Key Features of Hygen
- Template-based generation: Hygen uses templates written in Handlebars or other templating languages to define the structure of the generated files.
- Command-line interface: It's operated through the command line, making it suitable for integration into existing development workflows.
- Customizable generators: You can create your own generators to fit specific project needs.
Installing and Setting Up Hygen
Install Node.js and npm: Hygen requires Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) to be installed on your system.
Install Hygen globally: Run `npm install -g hygen` in your terminal.
Initialize Hygen in your project: Navigate to your project directory and run `hygen init self`.
Install Hygen globally: Run `npm install -g hygen` in your terminal.
Initialize Hygen in your project: Navigate to your project directory and run `hygen init self`.
Initialize Hygen in your project: Navigate to your project directory and run `hygen init self`.
This will create a `_templates` directory in your project, where you'll store your templates and generators.
Creating a Simple Generator
Let's create a simple generator that creates a new React component.
Create a template file: Inside the `_templates` directory, create a new directory called `component` and a file called `new.ejs.t`. This file will contain the template for our React component.
Write the template: Add the following code to `new.ejs.t`:
Write the template: Add the following code to `new.ejs.t`:
```javascript
---
to: src/components/<%= name %>.js
---
import React from 'react';
const <%= name %> = () => {
return (
<%= name %> Component
);
};
export default <%= name %>;
```
Run the generator: In your terminal, run `hygen component new --name MyComponent`.
This will create a new file called `MyComponent.js` in the `src/components` directory with the content defined in the template.
Practical Examples of Hygen Usage
Hygen can be used in various scenarios:
- Generating React components: As shown in the example above, Hygen can quickly create new React components with predefined structures.
- Creating API endpoints: You can use Hygen to generate API endpoints based on a template, including the necessary route definitions and controller logic.
- Setting up new projects: Hygen can automate the creation of project scaffolding, including directory structures, configuration files, and initial code.
� Pro Tip: Use Hygen's `--dry` flag to preview the changes that will be made before actually generating the files. This is useful for testing your templates and ensuring they produce the desired output.
The Limitations of Hygen in 2025
While Hygen is a useful tool for code generation, it has limitations, especially when compared to modern AI-powered solutions:
- Limited scope: Hygen primarily focuses on code generation and doesn't address other aspects of content creation, such as video production or voiceovers.
- Manual template creation: Creating and maintaining templates can be time-consuming and requires technical expertise.
- Lack of AI integration: Hygen doesn't leverage AI to automatically generate content or adapt to changing requirements.
In a world where AI is rapidly transforming content creation, Hygen's capabilities are becoming increasingly limited. Businesses need more comprehensive solutions that can automate a wider range of tasks and leverage the power of AI to create engaging and personalized content.
Why Percify is a Better Alternative
Percify is a SaaS platform that offers a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools for content creation, including AI avatars, voice cloning, and video generation. It goes beyond simple code generation and provides a complete solution for creating engaging and personalized content at scale.
Key Features of Percify
- AI Avatars: Create realistic AI avatars that can speak and interact with your audience.
- Voice Cloning: Clone your own voice or use one of Percify's pre-built voices to create high-quality audio content.
- Video Generation: Generate professional-quality videos from text or scripts, with customizable backgrounds, animations, and more.
- Automation: Automate content creation workflows with Percify's API and integrations.
How Percify Solves Hygen's Limitations
- Broader scope: Percify addresses a wider range of content creation needs, including video, audio, and visual content.
- AI-powered content generation: Percify uses AI to automatically generate content, reducing the need for manual template creation.
- Personalization: Percify allows you to personalize content at scale, creating unique experiences for each user.
� According to a recent study by Forrester, businesses that use AI-powered content creation tools see a 30% increase in content output and a 20% reduction in content creation costs.
Practical Examples of Percify in Action
- Creating personalized training videos: Percify can generate personalized training videos for each employee, using AI avatars and voice cloning to deliver engaging and relevant content.
- Automating marketing video production: Percify can automate the creation of marketing videos, using AI to generate scripts, animations, and voiceovers.
- Generating product demos: Percify can create interactive product demos that showcase the features and benefits of your products, using AI avatars to guide users through the demo.
Percify vs. Hygen: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Hygen | Percify |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Code generation | AI avatars, voice cloning, video generation |
| Ease of Use | Requires technical expertise | User-friendly interface |
| AI Integration | None | Extensive |
� Pro Tip: Explore Percify's pre-built templates and assets to quickly get started with content creation. You can also customize these templates to fit your specific needs.
Actionable Checklist for Choosing the Right Tool
Define your content creation needs: What types of content do you need to create? What are your automation goals?
Evaluate your technical expertise: Do you have the skills to create and maintain Hygen templates? Or do you prefer a user-friendly AI-powered solution?
Consider your budget: How much are you willing to invest in content creation tools?
Try out both Hygen and Percify: Experiment with both tools to see which one best fits your needs.
Real-World Use Cases
"The future of content creation lies in AI-powered platforms that can automate tasks and personalize experiences." — This principle underlies effective content marketing strategies.
Conclusion
While hygen serves as a useful tool for automating code generation, its limitations become apparent in the face of modern content creation demands. Percify offers a comprehensive, AI-powered solution that encompasses AI avatars, voice cloning, and video generation, providing a superior alternative for businesses looking to streamline content creation and personalization in 2025 and beyond. Take the next step and explore how Percify can transform your content strategy.
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