How to Build Your First App Using AI Coding Assistants in 2 Hours

If you're an indie hacker or a side project builder, the idea of building your first app can feel overwhelming. The good news? With AI coding assistants, you can cut down the time and complexity significantly. In fact, you can build a simple app in just 2 hours. This isn't just theory—I've done it, and I'll walk you through the exact steps and tools I used.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start

Before diving into the coding, you’ll need a few things set up:

1. A Code Editor: Install Visual Studio Code (VS Code) for free.
2. An AI Coding Assistant: Choose from the list below.
3. Basic Understanding of Programming: Familiarity with JavaScript or Python is a plus but not mandatory.

Step-by-Step Guide to Build Your First App

1. Define Your App Idea

Before you start coding, outline what your app will do. Keep it simple! For example, a to-do list app is a great starter project. Write down the features you want, like adding tasks and marking them as complete.

2. Set Up Your Development Environment

• Install Node.js: This is essential for running JavaScript apps. It’s free and easy to set up.
• Create a New Project: Open your terminal and run:

  mkdir my-first-app
  cd my-first-app
  npm init -y
  

3. Use an AI Coding Assistant to Generate Code

This is where the magic happens. Below is a list of AI coding assistants you can use:

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |---------------------|----------------------------|------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo (or free trial) | Auto-completion for coding | Limited support for non-English code | We use this for quick snippets. | | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo pro | Code suggestions | Lacks context awareness | Great for common patterns. | | Replit | Free + $20/mo pro | Collaborative coding | Limited in-depth features | Perfect for quick prototypes. | | Codeium | Free | Open-source projects | Smaller community | Good for basic assistance. | | OpenAI Codex | Starting at $20/mo | General coding tasks | May produce incorrect code | We don’t use this due to cost. | | CodeGeeX | $15/mo | Multi-language support | Newer tool, less proven | Worth exploring for variety. | | Sourcery | Free + $12/mo for pro | Improving existing code | Focused more on refactoring | Not ideal for new projects. | | Ponic | Free | Simple coding tasks | Limited language support | Good for very basic needs. | | DeepCode | Free | Code review and suggestions | Limited to certain languages | Handy for team projects. | | AI Dungeon | Free | Creative coding prompts | Not a full coding assistant | Fun for brainstorming ideas. |

4. Start Coding with AI Assistance

Once you’ve selected an AI tool, start building! For instance, if you’re using GitHub Copilot, type a comment like // Create a function to add a task and let it generate the code. Review the output, make adjustments, and run your code frequently.

5. Test Your App

Once you’ve built the basic functionality, test the app locally. Make sure everything works as expected. If you encounter errors, the AI tools can help debug by suggesting fixes.

6. Deploy Your App

After testing, deploy your app using a platform like Vercel (free for small projects) or Heroku (free tier available). Follow their instructions to get your app live on the web.

What Could Go Wrong?

• AI Errors: Sometimes the code generated by AI may not work or may have bugs. Always review and test thoroughly.
• Deployment Issues: Make sure you follow the deployment instructions carefully. If you encounter issues, check the platform’s documentation or community forums.

What's Next?

Now that you’ve built your first app, consider expanding its features or learning more about the technologies you used. You could also explore how to monetize your app or market it to users.

Conclusion: Start Here

Building your first app using AI coding assistants is not only feasible but can also be a fun and rewarding experience. Start with a simple idea, leverage the right tools, and you’ll have something tangible in just 2 hours.

To recap, use GitHub Copilot or Tabnine for coding help, follow the step-by-step guide, and don't hesitate to iterate on your idea.

What We Actually Use

For our own projects, we primarily rely on GitHub Copilot for its robust suggestions and Tabnine for quick coding patterns. Both tools have helped us streamline our development process.