How to Build a Basic Web App with AI Coding Assistants in Just 3 Hours

Building a web app can feel daunting, especially for indie hackers and solo founders who might not have a deep programming background. But what if I told you that you could leverage AI coding assistants to whip up a basic web app in just 3 hours? It’s not just a pipe dream—I've done it, and I’m here to guide you through the process.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting

Before you dive in, let’s make sure you have everything you need:

• A computer with internet access: This is non-negotiable.
• An account with an AI coding assistant: Tools like GitHub Copilot or Tabnine are essential.
• Basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript: You don’t need to be a pro, but knowing the basics will help.
• A code editor: Visual Studio Code is a popular choice and free to use.

With these prerequisites in place, you're ready to start building!

Step 1: Choose Your AI Coding Assistant

Here’s a quick comparison of popular AI coding assistants you can use to help build your web app:

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------|---------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo | GitHub users | Limited to GitHub ecosystem | We love it for seamless integration. | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Quick code suggestions | Less comprehensive than Copilot | We don’t use it because we prefer Copilot. | | Codeium | Free | Open-source projects | Still in early development | We haven’t tried it yet. | | Replit | Free tier + $7/mo pro | Collaborative coding | Performance can lag on larger projects| We use it occasionally for quick prototypes. | | Kobra | $19/mo | JavaScript-heavy projects | Limited language support | We don’t use it because it's pricey. | | Sourcery | Free | Python projects | Focused on Python only | We haven’t tested it. | | Codex by OpenAI | $0.003 per token | Complex code generation | Costs can add up quickly | We tried it for specific tasks. |

What We Actually Use

For building web apps, we primarily rely on GitHub Copilot for its integration with our workflow and Replit for quick prototyping.

Step 2: Set Up Your Development Environment

1. Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install from the official site.
2. Install your chosen AI tool: Follow the instructions for GitHub Copilot or any other tool you’ve selected.
3. Create a new folder: Name it something like “MyWebApp” and open it in your code editor.

Step 3: Start Coding Your Web App

Let’s create a simple web app that displays a greeting. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Create index.html:

   • Use Copilot to generate a basic HTML structure.
   • Example command: Create a simple HTML page with a title and a greeting.

2. Create styles.css:

   • Use Copilot to generate some basic styles.
   • Example command: Add basic styling for the body and header.

3. Create app.js:

   • Use Copilot to write a simple JavaScript function that changes the greeting based on user input.
   • Example command: Write a function that updates the greeting based on user input.

Expected Output

By the end of this step, you should have a simple web page that greets users and allows for basic interaction.

Troubleshooting: What Could Go Wrong

• Errors in JavaScript: If your app doesn’t work, check the console in your browser’s developer tools for error messages.
• Styling issues: Make sure your CSS file is linked correctly in the HTML file.
• AI suggestions not working: Ensure your AI tool is active and you have an internet connection.

What's Next: Deploying Your Web App

Once you’ve built your app, you can host it using services like GitHub Pages or Netlify. Both are free and allow you to deploy your static site quickly.

1. Push your code to GitHub: Make sure your code is in a GitHub repository.
2. Connect to GitHub Pages or Netlify: Follow their instructions for deploying your web app.

Conclusion: Start Here

If you're looking to build a basic web app in a short amount of time, start by setting up GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio Code. Follow the steps outlined above, and you’ll have your web app up and running in about 3 hours. Don't forget to iterate on your project after the initial build—there's always room for improvement!