Lesson 01
Choose a first build you can finish today.
Turn one small annoyance into a local tool with a visible result and a short, testable definition of done.
- Suggested time
- 20 minutes to scope · 1–2 hours to build
- You will finish with
- A narrow plan, a runnable check, and no mystery features.
Pick one transformation
The best first build accepts a small input and produces a useful output on one screen.
- Good: turn rough notes into a client brief.
- Good: turn launch details into a release checklist.
- Avoid accounts, payments, external APIs, and background jobs in the first version.
Write the finish line first
A coding agent performs better when success can be observed, not guessed.
- Name the exact input and output.
- Choose one command or browser journey that proves it works.
- State keyboard, mobile, privacy, and offline constraints.
Keep the clock honest
Record active build time separately from waiting, learning, and later polish.
- Stop adding scope when the core flow works.
- Write limitations while they are fresh.
- Save a clean before-and-after test result.
Copy-ready starter prompt
Replace the bracketed details, give it to your coding agent, and keep the verification steps intact.
Goal
Build a small local web app called [NAME] that turns [INPUT] into [OUTPUT].
Context
The user is [WHO]. Their main problem is [ONE PROBLEM]. The app should feel clear and useful within two hours.
Constraints
- No login, database, external API, analytics, trackers, remote fonts, or secrets.
- Store data only in the current browser if persistence is needed.
- Work at 320px, 390px, and desktop widths.
- Support keyboard use, visible focus, labels, and reduced motion.
- Include a README, AI-use disclosure, limitations, and tests.
Done when
- [PRIMARY JOURNEY] works from start to finish.
- Empty, invalid, and reset states are handled.
- Tests, typecheck, lint, and production build pass.
- The browser console has no errors and no external requests occur.Learn pages are public and anonymous. They do not create an account, a session, analytics, or marketplace activity.