How to Build a Simple App Using AI Coding Assistants in Under 2 Hours

In the fast-paced world of indie hacking, time is often your most limited resource. Many builders face the daunting challenge of coding an app from scratch, which can feel overwhelming. But what if I told you that with the right AI coding assistants, you can build a simple app in under two hours? It sounds too good to be true, but I’ve done it, and I’ll show you how.

Prerequisites for Your AI-Powered App

Before diving into building your app, ensure you have the following:

• Basic knowledge of programming: Familiarity with JavaScript, Python, or similar languages will help.
• An AI coding assistant account: Choose one from our tool list below.
• A code editor: Visual Studio Code or similar.
• A web server or hosting service: If you're building a web app.

Step-by-Step Guide to Build Your App

1. Define Your App’s Purpose

Start by clearly outlining what your app will do. For example, let’s say you want to create a simple to-do list app. It should allow users to add, edit, and delete tasks.

2. Choose the Right AI Coding Assistant

Here’s a breakdown of popular AI coding assistants you can use:

| Tool Name | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |------------------|---------------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo | General coding assistance | Limited language support | We use this for quick code snippets. | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo pro | JavaScript and Python | Fewer integrations | Works great for autocomplete. | | Codeium | Free | Fast prototyping | Lacks advanced features | Good for simple tasks. | | Replit | Free tier + $7/mo pro | Collaborative coding | Performance issues at scale | Great for quick demos. | | OpenAI Codex | $20/mo | Complex coding tasks | Expensive for small projects | Powerful but costly. | | ChatGPT | Free tier + $20/mo pro | Conversational coding help | Not always accurate | Best for brainstorming ideas. | | CodeGeeX | Free | Language translation | Limited to specific languages | Useful for multilingual apps. | | Sourcery | Free + $15/mo pro | Code quality improvement | Limited to Python | Helps with refactoring. | | Ponic | $29/mo, no free tier | Building web apps | High cost for solo founders | Use if you're serious about web dev.| | Codeium AI | Free | General coding assistance | Fewer features than others | A good starting point. |

3. Set Up Your Development Environment

• Install your chosen code editor.
• Set up a new project folder.
• Initialize a Git repository for version control.

4. Start Coding with Your AI Assistant

Use your AI coding assistant to generate code snippets based on your requirements. For instance, you can ask it to create a basic HTML structure, or to write functions for adding, editing, and deleting tasks in your to-do app.

5. Test Your App

Once you have your basic functionality in place, run your app locally. Test each feature to ensure everything works as expected. This is where you might encounter bugs; don’t hesitate to ask your AI assistant for debugging help.

6. Deploy Your App

After testing, you can deploy your app using a platform like Vercel or Heroku. These services often have free tiers that can accommodate small projects.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Code not running: Check for syntax errors or missing dependencies.
• AI assistant not generating useful code: Be more specific in your requests.
• Deployment failures: Ensure your hosting service supports the technologies you’ve used.

What’s Next?

Once your app is live, consider gathering user feedback to make improvements. You could also explore adding more features, like user authentication or a database for storing tasks.

Conclusion

Building a simple app using AI coding assistants is not only feasible but also a practical approach for indie hackers and side project builders. Start with a clear idea, choose the right tools, and leverage AI to speed up your development process.

If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of building with AI, check out our podcast, Built This Week, where we discuss tools and strategies that actually work.