How to Use AI Coding Tools to Write a Simple Web App in 2 Hours

Building a web app can feel overwhelming, especially if you're a solo founder or indie hacker. The good news? With AI coding tools, you can significantly reduce the time and effort needed to create a simple web app. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how we built a basic web app in just 2 hours using these tools.

Time Estimate and Prerequisites

Time: You can finish this in about 2 hours if you have a clear idea of your app's purpose.

Prerequisites:

• A basic understanding of JavaScript and web development concepts.
• Accounts on GitHub and an AI coding tool of your choice (we'll cover that below).
• A code editor like VSCode installed on your machine.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Web App

Step 1: Define Your App's Purpose

Before diving into coding, take 10-15 minutes to clearly define what your web app will do. For this example, let's build a simple task manager that allows users to add and delete tasks.

Step 2: Choose Your AI Coding Tool

Here’s a quick comparison of the top AI coding tools that can help you:

| Tool | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |--------------------|-----------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------| | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo | Code suggestions in real-time| Limited to VSCode and GitHub only | We use it for quick snippets.| | Tabnine | Free tier + $12/mo | Autocompletion for multiple IDEs| Free tier is basic | Great for multi-language support.| | Replit | Free tier + $20/mo | Collaborative coding | Limited to Replit's environment | Good for quick prototypes. | | Codeium | Free | Unlimited code suggestions | Needs internet access | It’s free, worth trying. | | Sourcery | $10/mo | Code reviews and suggestions | Limited language support | Helps improve existing code. | | OpenAI Codex | $20/mo | Natural language to code | Requires API key and setup | Powerful, but setup can be tricky.|

Step 3: Set Up Your Development Environment

• Install the AI coding tool of your choice in your code editor.
• Create a new repository on GitHub for version control.
• Set up a new HTML/CSS/JavaScript project in your local machine.

Step 4: Start Coding with AI Assistance

1. HTML Structure: Start with a basic HTML file. Use your AI tool to generate the HTML structure for a simple form where users can input tasks.

   Expected Output:

   <form id="task-form">
       <input type="text" id="task-input" placeholder="Add a new task"/>
       <button type="submit">Add Task</button>
   </form>
   <ul id="task-list"></ul>
   

2. CSS Styling: Use your AI tool to suggest some basic CSS styles to make your app look decent.

3. JavaScript Logic: Now, use the AI tool to help you write the JavaScript functions for adding and removing tasks from the list.

   Expected Output:

   document.getElementById('task-form').addEventListener('submit', function(e) {
       e.preventDefault();
       const taskInput = document.getElementById('task-input');
       const newTask = document.createElement('li');
       newTask.innerText = taskInput.value;
       document.getElementById('task-list').appendChild(newTask);
       taskInput.value = '';
   });
   

Step 5: Testing and Debugging

Now that you’ve written your code, it’s time to test it. Run your web app locally and check if the task manager works as expected.

Troubleshooting:

• If the tasks aren't appearing, double-check your JavaScript for errors.
• Use the built-in debugging tools in your browser to trace any issues.

What's Next?

Once your app is up and running, consider adding more features like:

• User authentication
• Persistent storage (using local storage or a database)
• A mobile-friendly design

Conclusion: Start Here

Using AI coding tools can drastically reduce the time it takes to build a web app. We recommend starting with GitHub Copilot for its seamless integration with VSCode and powerful code suggestions. With a clear plan and the right tools, you can have a functional web app in just 2 hours.