How to Code a Simple To-Do App with AI in Just 2 Hours

If you're an indie hacker or a solo founder, you know the struggle of finding the time and resources to build something functional. But what if I told you that you could code a simple to-do app using AI tools in just 2 hours? In 2026, thanks to advancements in AI coding tools, this task is not only feasible but also quite straightforward. Let’s dive into how you can create your own to-do app without getting bogged down in complexities.

Prerequisites

Before we get started, here’s what you’ll need:

• Basic programming knowledge: Familiarity with JavaScript and HTML.
• AI coding tools: We’ll be using tools like OpenAI Codex and Replit.
• GitHub account: For version control and collaboration.
• Time: Set aside about 2 hours for the entire process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your To-Do App

Step 1: Set Up Your Environment

1. Create a new repository on GitHub for your to-do app.
2. Open Replit and create a new project using the HTML/CSS/JS template.
3. Connect your Replit project to your GitHub repo for seamless version control.

Step 2: Use AI to Generate Initial Code

1. OpenAI Codex: Use Codex to generate the initial code for your to-do app. You can prompt it with something like, "Create a simple to-do app in JavaScript."
2. Review and tweak the generated code to fit your needs. AI tools will often give you a solid starting point, but you’ll want to customize it.

Step 3: Build the Core Functionality

1. Add HTML for your app layout: Input field for new tasks and a button to add tasks.
2. Implement JavaScript functions to handle adding, deleting, and marking tasks as complete. Use Codex again to generate snippets if needed.
3. Style your app using CSS to make it visually appealing.

Step 4: Test Your App

1. Run the app in Replit to see it in action.
2. Check for bugs: Make sure adding, deleting, and marking tasks works as intended.

Step 5: Deploy Your App

1. Deploy your app using Replit’s hosting feature, or push your code to GitHub and use GitHub Pages.
2. Share the link with friends or potential users for feedback.

Expected Outputs

By the end of this process, you should have a functioning to-do app that allows users to add, delete, and mark tasks as completed.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Code Errors: If you encounter syntax errors, use the built-in debugging tools in Replit.
• Deployment Issues: Ensure that your files are correctly linked and that you’ve followed the deployment instructions.

What’s Next?

Now that you have a basic to-do app, consider adding features like user authentication or data persistence using local storage or a backend service. You could also explore integrating AI suggestions for task management to enhance user experience.

Tools to Consider

Here’s a breakdown of tools that can help you in this project:

| Tool | Pricing | What It Does | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |---------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------| | OpenAI Codex | Pay-as-you-go | AI-powered code generation | Rapid prototyping | Limited context understanding | We use it for quick snippets | | Replit | Free tier + $20/mo pro | Online development environment | Collaborative coding | Performance issues on large apps | We love it for rapid prototyping| | GitHub | Free, $4/mo for Pro | Version control and collaboration | Project management | Can get complex for beginners | Essential for any project | | Vercel | Free, $20/mo for Pro | Frontend deployment | Static site hosting | Limited to static sites | Great for quick deployments | | Firebase | Free tier + pay-as-you-go | Backend as a service | Real-time database | Costs can escalate with usage | Useful for scaling | | Netlify | Free, $19/mo for Pro | Continuous deployment | Hosting static sites | Limited backend capabilities | Easy to use for deployment |

What We Actually Use

For our projects, we primarily rely on Replit for development, OpenAI Codex for code generation, and GitHub for version control. These tools allow us to build quickly and efficiently without getting bogged down in setup.

Conclusion

Building a simple to-do app with AI in just 2 hours is not only possible, but it’s also a fantastic way to leverage modern tools to bring your ideas to life. Start with the steps outlined above, and don’t hesitate to experiment with additional features.

If you’re looking to dive deeper into building and shipping products, check out our podcast, Built This Week, where we share our journey and insights on tools we’re testing and products we’re shipping.