The disclosure describes methods that include providing a first nucleic acid having a sequence encoding a first set comprising one or more transcription activator-like effector (TALE) repeat domains and/or one or more portions of one or more TALE repeat domains; contacting the first nucleic acid with a first enzyme, wherein the first enzyme creates a first ligatable end; providing a second nucleic acid having a sequence encoding a second set comprising one or more TALE repeat domains and/or one or more portions of one or more TALE repeat domains; contacting the second nucleic acid with a second enzyme, wherein the second enzyme creates a second ligatable end, and wherein the first and second ligatable ends are compatible; and ligating the first and second nucleic acids through the first and second ligatable ends to produce a first ligated nucleic acid, wherein the first ligated nucleic acid is linked to a solid support, and wherein the first ligated nucleic acid encodes a polypeptide comprising said first and second sets.