Vibe Coding

AI Coding Workflow: From Idea to Working Application

This section demonstrates a practical workflow for using AI tools to turn your ideas into working applications. We'll cover how to formulate effective prompts, use iterative development, and navigate common challenges.

The AI Coding Workflow Overview

The vibe coding workflow with AI tools typically follows these steps:

Let's explore each step in detail with practical examples.

Step 1: Idea Clarification

I want to build a habit tracker app. Can you help me clarify this idea by asking me relevant questions about features, user experience, and technical requirements?

Your answers to these questions will help create a clearer vision.

Step 2: Project Planning

I want to build a habit tracker web app using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that stores data in localStorage. Can you help me break down this project into components and suggest a project structure?

Step 3: Initial Implementation

Please create the HTML structure for a habit tracker web app. It should include:
1. A header with the app title
2. A form for adding new habits with fields for name, description, and frequency
3. A section to display the list of habits
4. A section for tracking habit completion
Include appropriate CSS classes for styling later.

Now, please create the CSS styles for the habit tracker. The design should be clean and minimalist with:
- A light color scheme (with variables for easy theming)
- Responsive layout that works on mobile and desktop
- Clean typography and spacing
- Visual indicators for completed vs. incomplete habits

Please create the JavaScript code for the habit tracker with the following functionality:
1. Adding new habits through the form
2. Storing habits in localStorage
3. Displaying the list of habits
4. Tracking habit completion
5. Calculating and displaying basic statistics (streak, completion rate)

Step 4: Testing and Refinement

I've found some issues with the habit tracker code:
1. The form doesn't validate input (empty names are allowed)
2. When marking a habit as complete, the UI doesn't update consistently
3. After refreshing the page, today's completion status is lost

Can you help me fix these issues?

When I click the "Complete" button for a habit, the UI shows it as completed, but after refreshing the page, it shows as incomplete again. Here's my code for saving completion data:

[Insert relevant code here]

How can I fix this to properly persist the completion status?

Step 5: Expansion and Enhancement

Now that the basic habit tracker is working, I'd like to add these features:
1. A calendar view showing completion history for each habit
2. The ability to categorize habits (health, work, personal, etc.)
3. A statistics dashboard with charts showing progress over time

Let's start with the calendar view. How would you implement this?

Step 6: Finalization

The habit tracker is working well, but I'd like to optimize it before considering it complete:
1. Can you review the code for performance issues?
2. Are there any best practices I should implement?
3. How can I make the code more maintainable?

Please help me create documentation for this project:
1. A README file explaining the project
2. Code comments for complex functions
3. A simple user guide explaining how to use the app

Real-World Example: Building a Habit Tracker with AI

Step 1: Idea Clarification

Initial prompt to AI:

I want to build a simple habit tracker web app. Can you help me clarify what features it should have?

AI response might include questions about:

• Core functionality
• User interface
• Data storage
• Unique features

Clarified idea:
"A simple web-based habit tracker that allows users to create habits, track daily completion, and view basic statistics. Data will be stored locally in the browser."

Step 2: Project Planning

Prompt to AI:

Let's plan the habit tracker app. What components and data structures will we need?

AI response might include:

• Component breakdown
• Data structure suggestions
• Technology recommendations
• Implementation approach

Project plan:

• Use HTML/CSS/JavaScript
• Store data in localStorage
• Implement core features first, then add statistics

Step 3: Initial Implementation

HTML structure prompt:

Please create the HTML structure for our habit tracker app with a form to add habits and a section to display them.

CSS styling prompt:

Now, create the CSS styles for our habit tracker. Use a clean, modern design with a light color scheme.

JavaScript functionality prompt:

Let's implement the core JavaScript functionality for our habit tracker:
1. Adding new habits
2. Displaying the habit list
3. Tracking habit completion
4. Storing data in localStorage

Step 4: Testing and Refinement

Testing reveals issues:

• Habits with the same name can be added
• Completion status isn't saved correctly
• UI doesn't update immediately after actions

Debugging prompt:

I've found some issues with our habit tracker:
1. Duplicate habits can be added
2. Completion status isn't saved after page refresh
3. The UI doesn't update when marking habits complete

Here's the current code:
[Insert code]

How can we fix these issues?

Step 5: Expansion and Enhancement

Feature addition prompt:

Now that the core functionality works, let's add a statistics section that shows:
1. Total number of habits
2. Completion rate for today
3. Current streak for each habit

UI enhancement prompt:

Let's improve the user interface by adding:
1. Color coding for habit categories
2. A more visual way to mark habits complete
3. Responsive design improvements for mobile

Step 6: Finalization

Code optimization prompt:

The habit tracker is working well. Can you review the code and suggest optimizations for performance and maintainability?

Documentation prompt:

Please help me create a README file for this project explaining what it does, how to use it, and the technologies used.

Common Challenges and Solutions in the AI Coding Workflow

Challenge 1: AI Generates Incomplete Code

Solution:

• Break down requests into smaller, more specific parts
• Ask for one component at a time
• Specify exactly what functionality you need

Example prompt:

The habit tracking function is incomplete. Specifically, it doesn't update the UI after marking a habit complete. Can you provide the complete function that:
1. Updates the completion status in the data structure
2. Saves the updated data to localStorage
3. Updates the UI to reflect the new status

Challenge 2: AI Misunderstands Your Requirements

Solution:

• Clarify your requirements with examples
• Provide context about what you're trying to achieve
• Show the AI what you've already tried

Example prompt:

I think there's a misunderstanding. When I say "streak," I mean the number of consecutive days a habit has been completed. For example, if a user completes a habit today and completed it yesterday, the streak would be 2. If they miss a day, the streak resets to 0 or 1 (if completed today).

Can you revise the streak calculation function with this understanding?

Challenge 3: Generated Code Has Bugs

Solution:

• Describe the specific behavior of the bug
• Share error messages if available
• Ask for a step-by-step explanation of the fix

Example prompt:

The habit deletion function has a bug. When I delete a habit, it removes the wrong one from the list. For example, if I try to delete the second habit, it deletes the third one instead.

Here's the current delete function:
[Insert code]

What's causing this issue and how can I fix it?

Challenge 4: Integrating Multiple Code Pieces

Solution:

• Ask the AI to explain how different components should interact
• Request integration code specifically
• Have the AI review the combined code

Example prompt:

I now have the habit tracking functionality and the statistics calculation working separately. Can you help me integrate these two components so that:
1. Statistics update automatically when habits are completed
2. Both components use the same data structure
3. The code remains organized and maintainable

Here are the two code sections:
[Insert code]

Best Practices for AI Coding Workflow

1. Document your process: Keep track of what you've tried and the AI's responses
2. Test incrementally: Test each piece of functionality as it's implemented
3. Understand before proceeding: Ask the AI to explain code you don't understand
4. Be specific in your requests: The more specific you are, the better the AI's response
5. Learn from the AI: Pay attention to patterns and techniques in the generated code
6. Maintain version control: Save working versions before making significant changes
7. Combine AI tools strategically: Use different AI tools for different aspects of development