Build Mini Program in 2 Weeks, AI Programming Makes Everyone a Developer
🚀 Programming is Dead, AI is King: Learning Programming Now is Like Learning Assembly 10 Years Ago
Ten years ago, if you told people you wanted to learn assembly language, they'd think you were crazy. Today, I'm telling you an even harsher reality: Starting to learn traditional programming from scratch now is as unnecessary as learning assembly was ten years ago.
Why? Because AI has changed the rules of the game.
Pain Points of Traditional Programming:
- Long learning cycle: At least 6 months to build something decent
- Complex syntax: Language features, frameworks, toolchains to memorize for life
- Painful debugging: A single semicolon error can crash a beginner for a whole day
- Fast technology updates: Just master one framework, and the next one comes out
New Reality of AI Programming:
- Requirement-driven: Tell AI what you want, not how to implement it
- Natural language interaction: Describe requirements in Chinese, AI provides code solutions
- Zero learning cost: No need to remember any syntax, AI will handle it
- Rapid iteration: From idea to product launch, measured in days not months
🎯 Completing Tidepool Notes Development in 2 Weeks: A Real Vibe Code Case Study
Timeline: Complete Record from 0 to Launch
Days 1-3: Requirements Clarification and Architecture Design
- Described core features of AI companion mini program in natural language
- AI generated tech stack recommendations: Taro + React + Fastify + PostgreSQL
- Defined three-layer architecture: L1 Core Profile, L2 Recent Battle Report, L3 Current Briefing
Days 4-7: Core Feature Development
- Frontend page setup: 5 main pages, dark theme design
- Backend API development: User, session, message, feedback and other core interfaces
- Database design: 8 core tables for complete user data management
Days 8-10: AI Feature Integration
- Integrated OpenAI API for intelligent emotion analysis
- Implemented three-layer Playbook system: dynamic user profile update mechanism
- "Expand is Feedback" mechanism: user follow-up questions are positive feedback
Days 11-14: Testing and Launch
- Cross-platform testing: WeChat Mini Program, H5 version
- User experience optimization: loading states, error handling, responsive design
- Mini program submitted for review, successfully launched
Development Cost Comparison:
- Traditional approach: At least 3 months, 2-3 person team
- Vibe Code approach: 2 weeks, 1 person
- Cost savings: Over 90%
🌟 Core Thinking of Vibe Code: From "How" to "What"
Mindset Shift: Stop Caring About Technical Details
Traditional Programmer Thinking:
- What framework should I use for this function?
- How should I design the database for best performance?
- How can the code architecture scale?
Vibe Code Thinking:
- What problem do I want to solve?
- What experience do users need?
- What is the minimum viable product?
Real Case: Requirement Evolution of Tidepool Notes
Initial Idea: "Build a mini program to help people who are emo late at night"
AI's Requirement Clarification Process:
- Target Users: Young people who are emo late at night, with large emotional fluctuations, need instant companionship
- Core Pain Points: Traditional psychological counseling is expensive, friend burdens are troublesome, self-regulation lacks methods
- Solution: AI emotion companionship + scientific emotion regulation methods
- Technical Implementation: WeChat Mini Program + OpenAI API + simple data storage
Key Insights:
- Users don't want "the best technology," but "the most effective solution"
- Perfect features are not as good as quick launch
- User feedback is more important than preset requirements
💡 How Ordinary People Can Start Their Vibe Code Journey
First Step: Forget You're a "Programmer"
Mindsets to Abandon:
- "I need to learn JavaScript first"
- "I'm not familiar with this tech stack"
- "Code must be written elegantly and perfectly"
New Mindsets to Establish:
- "I have an idea to implement"
- "AI can help me handle technical details"
- "Working code is good code"
Second Step: Learn to "Speak Human Language" to Describe Requirements
Good Requirement Description:
I want a mini program where users can record their daily mood,
when users are in a bad mood, AI will give some suggestions,
users can chat with AI, AI will remember the user's personality traits.
Bad Requirement Description:
I need a full-stack application, frontend with React, backend with Node.js,
database with PostgreSQL, need to implement user authentication, message storage,
AI conversation and other functions...
Third Step: Embrace "Good Enough" Philosophy
Traditional Programming Pursuit:
- Perfect and flawless code
- Extreme performance optimization
- Comprehensive feature considerations
Vibe Code Pursuit:
- Features just need to work
- User experience first
- Rapid iteration and optimization
🎯 Limitations of Vibe Code: Not a Cure-All
Vibe code is not meant to replace professional programmers, but to lower the barrier to programming, enabling more people to realize their ideas.
Who is Suitable for Vibe Code:
- Product Managers: Quickly implement product prototypes
- Entrepreneurs: Low-cost validation of business models
- Designers: Turn creativity into actual products
- General Users: Solve small problems in daily life
Limitations of Vibe Code:
- Not suitable for building complex underlying systems
- Performance optimization requires professional knowledge
- Large team collaboration requires traditional programming skills
- Security-sensitive areas require careful use
🌙 Tidepool Notes: A Successful Practice of Vibe Code
After all this vibe code theory and methodology, Tidepool Notes is the best proof.
From Idea to Launch, Only 2 Weeks:
- Week 1: Completed all core function development and AI integration
- Week 2: Testing, optimization, submitted mini program for review
- Result: Successfully launched, with positive user feedback
Specific Manifestations of Vibe Code in Tidepool Notes:
- Requirement-driven: Described "late-night emo companionship" needs in natural language, AI generated technical solutions
- Simplicity first: Rejected over-engineering, insisted on simplest tech stack and architecture
- Quality assurance: Used TypeScript to ensure code quality, used Let it Crash principle for rapid error discovery
- Continuous iteration: Quickly adjusted functions and experience based on user feedback
Core Value Proposition of Tidepool Notes:
- For you when you're emo late at night, provide an emotional safe island
- 15 minutes of scientific expression, help you sleep well
- AI intelligent companionship, more professional than friends' comfort, more convenient than psychological counseling
Search "四哥还会聊AI" Mini Program on WeChat, Experience the Results of Vibe Code
🎯 A Message to Future You: Start Now
The era of traditional programming is passing, and the era of AI-assisted programming has arrived. This is not a threat, but an opportunity.
Advice for Starting Vibe Code:
Forget Syntax, Focus on Requirements
- Describe what you want in natural language
- Let AI handle technical implementation details
- Focus on user experience, not code elegance
Embrace Simplicity, Reject Showing Off
- Working code is good code
- Avoid over-engineering and complex abstractions
- User value is far more important than technical sophistication
Stay Skeptical, Verify Results
- AI can also make mistakes, even deceive people
- Test every deliverable carefully
- Establish your own quality check checklist
Record Requirements, Iterate Continuously
- Write your Claude.md document well
- Clarify basic principles of the project
- Update and refine requirements anytime
Enjoy the Process, Create Value
- Programming should be a joyful creative process
- Focus on solving real problems
- Make the world a better place with your ideas
Remember: The best programming language is your natural language, the best IDE is your conversation interface with AI.
Start Your Vibe Code Journey Now!
Search "四哥还会聊AI" on WeChat, experience the perfect practice case of vibe code