How to Build a Mini-Portfolio Project Using AI Coding Tools in 30 Minutes

As indie hackers and solo founders, we often struggle to showcase our skills effectively. A mini-portfolio project can be a quick way to demonstrate what we can do, especially when we leverage AI coding tools. The challenge? You don't want to spend weeks on this; you want a practical solution that can be executed in about 30 minutes.

In this guide, I'll break down how to create a simple web app using AI coding tools, along with the tools you’ll need, their pricing, and what works (and what doesn’t) based on our experiences.

Prerequisites: What You'll Need

1. Basic knowledge of HTML/CSS/JavaScript - You don’t need to be an expert, but familiarity helps.
2. An IDE or code editor - I recommend Visual Studio Code (free).
3. Access to the AI coding tools listed below - Most have free tiers, so you can start without any upfront costs.

Step-by-Step: Building Your Mini-Portfolio Project

Step 1: Choose Your Project Idea

Pick a simple project that showcases your skills. Here are a few ideas:

• A personal portfolio website
• A to-do list app
• A weather app pulling data from an API

Step 2: Set Up Your Environment

1. Sign up for the tools listed below.
2. Install any necessary plugins for your IDE.

Step 3: Use AI Tools to Generate Code

1. AI Code Generators: Use tools like OpenAI Codex or GitHub Copilot to generate the initial code. Simply describe what you want, and the tool will provide the code snippets.
2. Example Prompt: "Generate a basic HTML structure for a personal portfolio site."

Step 4: Customize Your Code

1. Tweak the generated code to match your style and preferences. This is where your creativity comes in.
2. Add CSS styles to make it visually appealing. You can use tools like Tailwind CSS for quick styling.

Step 5: Test Your Project

Run your code locally to ensure everything works. Use browser developer tools to debug any issues.

Step 6: Deploy Your Project

1. Choose a free hosting platform like Vercel or Netlify.
2. Follow their deployment instructions to get your project live.

Tool Comparison Table

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |---------------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------| | OpenAI Codex | $0-20/mo | Code generation | Limited context understanding | We use this for generating snippets quickly. | | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo | Code suggestions | Not always accurate, requires GitHub | We love it for context-aware suggestions. | | Replit | Free tier + $7/mo pro | Collaborative coding | Limited features in free tier | We use this for quick prototyping. | | CodeSandbox | Free tier + $9/mo pro | Web app development | File size limits in free tier | Great for sharing code with others. | | StackBlitz | Free | Instant web app development | Limited to web technologies | We use this for fast prototypes. | | Glitch | Free | Collaborative projects | Performance issues with larger apps| We don’t use it due to slow performance. |

Limitations and Honest Trade-offs

While these AI coding tools can significantly speed up your workflow, they aren't perfect. You might encounter:

• Inaccurate code snippets: Always double-check generated code.
• Limited customization: The initial output may not perfectly match your vision.
• Learning curve: Some tools have specific ways of understanding prompts, which may take time to master.

What's Next: Building on Your Mini-Portfolio

Once your mini-portfolio project is live, consider:

• Adding more features to your app.
• Expanding your portfolio with additional projects.
• Sharing your project on social media or relevant forums for feedback.

Conclusion: Start Here

To build your mini-portfolio project in under 30 minutes, choose a straightforward idea, leverage AI coding tools for rapid development, and deploy it using free hosting services. Start small, iterate, and soon you’ll have something to showcase your skills effectively.

If you're looking for more practical insights on tools and strategies, check out our podcast, Built This Week, where we discuss our building journey and share what’s working for us.