The Prompt Driven Development Framework

A new way to learn to build apps for non-technical beginners

The Core Philosophy

Understanding Over Memorization

You don't need to memorize coding syntax. AI excels at that. Your job is to understand what the code does and why it works that way.

Think of it like learning to drive: you don't need to know how to build an engine, but you do need to understand what the steering wheel, brakes, and gas pedal do.

Phase 1: Choose Your Foundation

Recommended Tech Stack for Beginners:

• NextJS: Your website framework (like the foundation of a house)

• React: How you build interactive parts (like rooms in the house)

• TypeScript: Adds safety checks to prevent errors (like building codes)

• TailwindCSS: Makes styling easy (like interior decorating with pre-made themes)

Why these tools?

• Massive community support = lots of help available

• AI tools know them extremely well

• They work together seamlessly

• Industry standard = valuable skills

Phase 2: The Reverse-Engineering Method

Step 1: AI Builds, You Observe

1. Use AI tools (like Cursor, v0 or Bolt) to create a simple app

2. Start with something basic like a to-do list or calculator

3. Get it working first, don't worry about understanding everything yet

Step 2: Become a Detective

Ask these types of questions about your working app:

About Structure:

• "Why are there so many folders? What does each one do?"

• "What's the purpose of this specific file?"

• "How do these files talk to each other?"

About Code Patterns:

• "Why do I see 'import...' at the top of files?"

• "What does this function actually do in plain English?"

• "When I click this button, what chain of events happens?"

About Flow:

• "How does data move through this app?"

• "What happens when I change this piece of code?"

• "Why did the AI structure it this way instead of another way?"

Step 3: Gradual Modification

• Make small changes and observe results

• Add simple features one at a time

• Break things on purpose to see what happens (you can always rollback)

Phase 3: Build Your Mental Models

Think in Systems, Not Syntax

Instead of memorizing code, understand these concepts:

Components = Building blocks (like LEGO pieces)

• Each piece has a specific job

• They can be reused and combined

• They pass information to each other

State = Memory (like a notepad the app uses)

• Where the app remembers information

• Changes when users interact with the app

• Triggers updates to what users see

Events = Triggers (like light switches)

• User clicks, types, or scrolls

• App responds to these actions

• Code runs in response

Phase 4: The Question-Driven Learning Loop

The Magic Questions to Ask AI:

1. "Explain this like I'm 10 years old"

2. "What would happen if I changed [specific thing]?"

3. "Why did you choose this approach over alternatives?"

4. "Walk me through what happens step-by-step when [user action]"

5. "What are the most important files I should understand first?"

How to Know You're Learning

You're succeeding when you can:

• Explain what a piece of code does in your own words

• Predict what will happen when you change something

• Identify which file to look at when something breaks

• Ask specific, detailed questions about the code

• Make small modifications without breaking everything

You're NOT expected to:

• Write code from scratch without AI help

• Memorize syntax or function names

• Understand every technical detail

• Build complex features on your first try

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Trying to learn everything at once - Focus on one concept at a time

2. Memorizing instead of understanding - Ask "why" not "what"

3. Being afraid to break things - Breaking code is how you learn

4. Comparing yourself to experienced developers - They didn't start knowing everything either

5. Skipping the "why" questions - Understanding beats memorization every time

Final Thoughts

This approach works because it mirrors how experienced developers actually work, they don't write everything from scratch either. They understand patterns, know what to look for and leverage tools (including AI) to implement their ideas.

Your goal isn't to become a traditional programmer who memorizes syntax. Your goal is to become someone who can turn ideas into working software by understanding how the pieces fit together and directing AI to help you build them.

Remember: Every expert was once a beginner who asked a lot of questions. The difference now is that AI can answer those questions instantly, 24/7, with infinite patience.

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