Coding a FULL App with AI (You Won't Believe This)

Introduction

Creating an app in just three days may seem impossible to many, but with the power of AI tools, it can be made achievable. In this article, I'll walk you through how I developed "Comment Genie," an app designed to help YouTubers respond to comments using AI. This process involved several steps, and I utilized various AI-powered tools to make the task more manageable.

Building the Concept

To kick things off, I used the ChatGPT app on my smartphone to brainstorm ideas. My initial thoughts included creating a simple Google login feature and a dashboard that would display the 10 most recent comments. Here’s how the conversation went:

Test with AI: "Hey there! I'm building an app to help YouTubers respond to their comments using AI. Can you help me understand how to do this?"

The AI performed brilliantly, giving me a step-by-step breakdown of the app. I requested some encouragement in a playful French accent to keep my spirits high while coding.

Generating a Roadmap

Next, I utilized the AI's capabilities to generate a summary and a comprehensive roadmap in markdown format for building the app. After copying the essential parts of this plan, I switched to a more advanced reasoning model (GPT-4), which helped me identify the ultimate tech stack needed for my app, detailed in the steps below:

Front-end: Suggested frameworks and libraries.
Back-end: Technologies and languages to use.
Database: Options for data storage.

With this roadmap in hand, I set up a cloud-based coding environment using Replit. This platform allowed me to test my code rapidly and keep everything organized.

Coding with Cursor

To facilitate the development process further, I downloaded Cursor and integrated it with my account on Replit. This combination enabled cursor composer to function like a coding partner. Step-by-step, I built out the core features of "Comment Genie," starting with a login page. I made sure to prompt the AI with specific tasks to create elements of the app rather than overwhelming it with all my requirements at once.

After three days of continuous coding, I had completed the basic framework of the app: a front end, back end, and a functional database.

Enhancing the UI

Knowing that the eyes of users are sensitive to design, I moved on to styling the dashboard. I utilized an excellent tool called VZ to create visually appealing components for the YouTube comments, giving a much-needed aesthetic upgrade to the user interface. The integration of this design was done effortlessly by pasting the generated code back into my app via Cursor.

Creating a Logo with MidJourney

No app is complete without a logo. I turned to MidJourney, an AI image generator, to create a logo that represented "Comment Genie." After experimenting with prompts, I finally settled on a vector logo that encapsulated the essence of the app.

Deployment

Before launching the app for beta testing, I had to ensure it was ready for public access. I created a Docker Compose YAML file to facilitate easy deployment. Subsequently, I chose Linode as my cloud hosting service to run the app, allowing it to be available online for users to access.

Feedback Loop

Once launched, feedback from beta testers became a crucial aspect of development, and I incorporated their suggestions directly back into the app using Cursor, demonstrating the speed and adaptability achievable when building with AI.

Through brainstorming, coding, and continuous iteration, "Comment Genie" was born, proving that with the right tools and a willingness to experiment and iterate, anything is possible.

Conclusion

This journey highlighted how AI can significantly streamline the app development process. With tools like ChatGPT, Cursor, Replit, VZ, and MidJourney, the pathway to creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing app is clearer than ever.

Keywords

AI
ChatGPT
Comment Genie
App Development
YouTube API
Replit
Cursor
VZ
MidJourney
Docker
Linode

FAQ

Q: What is Comment Genie?
A: Comment Genie is an app designed to help YouTubers respond to their comments using AI technology.

Q: How long did it take to build Comment Genie?
A: The app was developed in just three days.

Q: Which technologies were used in developing the app?
A: The development involved various technologies such as a front-end framework, back-end language, and a cloud database, as well as tools like Replit and Docker.

Q: Can I beta test Comment Genie?
A: Yes, the app is currently available for beta testing, and users can sign up for free.

Q: How does the feedback loop work in app development?
A: Feedback from beta testers can be quickly integrated back into the app through AI tools, allowing for rapid improvements and updates.