Build $10k apps in 30 minutes with AI (Full tutorial)

Key Concepts

• Vibe Coding: Building online tools, apps, and websites using AI-powered prompts and minimal traditional coding.
• PRD (Product Requirement Document): A document outlining the requirements and specifications for a product, used to guide development.
• Gemini 2.5 Pro Advanced: Google's AI model used for research, document creation, and code generation.
• Lovable: A platform for building web apps with AI assistance, offering database integration and hosting.
• Windsurf: A full coding tool that uses AI to automate code generation for building complex websites.
• Netlify: A free hosting provider for deploying static websites.
• Superbase: A free database integration that works with Lovable.
• Next.js/Astro: Web development frameworks for building interactive websites.
• Tailwind CSS: A design framework for creating consistent and robust design systems.
• Shadcn: A collection of pre-built UI components for web development.
• MCP (Model Context Protocol): An API for AI that allows access to various tools and resources.
• N8N: An automation tool for creating workflows and connecting to front-ends.

Level 1: Simple Calculators with Gemini

• Main Topic: Creating simple, practical tools like calculators using AI prompts in Gemini.
• Key Points:
  • Vibe coding allows marketers to build interactive elements without coding knowledge.
  • Using Gemini 2.5 Pro Advanced with deep research to gather data for the calculator.
  • Creating a PRD (Product Requirement Document) to guide the AI in building the calculator.
  • Iterating on the AI-generated code through simple prompts and adjustments.
  • Deploying the calculator on a website using Netlify and embedding it with an iframe.
• Example: Building a savings calculator for Marketing Pros, comparing hiring costs in the US vs. South Africa.
• Process:
  1. Gather data using Gemini 2.5 Pro Advanced with deep research.
  2. Create a PRD outlining the calculator's functionality and design.
  3. Prompt Gemini to create the calculator based on the PRD.
  4. Iterate on the code through simple prompts and adjustments.
  5. Copy the code and create an index.html file.
  6. Deploy the file on Netlify.
  7. Embed the calculator on a WordPress site using an iframe.
• Notable Quote: "This is vibe coding like in essence you don't have to understand you just need to understand the high level you don't really need to understand what the code is doing."
• Technical Terms:
  • CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): A style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in HTML or XML.
  • HTML (HyperText Markup Language): The standard markup language for creating web pages.
  • Iframe: An HTML element that embeds another HTML document within the current document.
• Data/Statistics: 100 GB of free monthly bandwidth on Netlify.
• Logical Connections: The example demonstrates how to use AI to solve a practical marketing problem, highlighting the ease and speed of vibe coding.

Level 2: Web Apps with Data Persistence using Lovable

• Main Topic: Building web apps with data persistence, user accounts, and voting systems using Lovable and Superbase.
• Key Points:
  • Lovable allows for the creation of more complex applications with database integration.
  • Using Superbase for user authentication, data storage, and security.
  • Creating a PRD to guide the AI in building the web app.
  • Iterating on the AI-generated code through simple prompts and adjustments.
  • Embedding the web app on a website using an iframe.
• Example: Building a podcast topic suggestion app with upvoting and downvoting features.
• Process:
  1. Create a PRD outlining the web app's functionality and design.
  2. Prompt Gemini to create the web app based on the PRD.
  3. Connect the web app to Superbase for database integration.
  4. Iterate on the code through simple prompts and adjustments.
  5. Embed the web app on a website using an iframe.
• Technical Terms:
  • API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules and specifications that software programs can follow to communicate with each other.
  • Web Hook: An automated HTTP request sent from one application to another when an event occurs.
• Data/Statistics: Lovable offers a free plan with five prompts per day and free hosting with limited visits. Superbase is free up to 100,000 users.
• Logical Connections: This section builds upon the previous one by introducing data persistence and user authentication, enabling the creation of more interactive and engaging web applications.

Level 3: Full Websites with Windsurf

• Main Topic: Building full websites with complex pages, animations, and styling using Windsurf.
• Key Points:
  • Windsurf is a full coding tool that uses AI to automate code generation.
  • Using Next.js or Astro as a framework for building interactive websites.
  • Using Tailwind CSS for creating a consistent design system.
  • Using Shadcn for pre-built UI components.
  • Leveraging the MCP (Model Context Protocol) to access various tools and resources.
• Example: Rebuilding the Marketing Pros website from scratch using Next.js and Windsurf.
• Process:
  1. Create a PRD outlining the website's functionality and design.
  2. Prompt Gemini to create the website based on the PRD.
  3. Use Windsurf's AI-powered features to generate code and add elements.
  4. Iterate on the code through simple prompts and adjustments.
• Technical Terms:
  • Next.js/Astro: Web development frameworks for building interactive websites.
  • Tailwind CSS: A design framework for creating consistent and robust design systems.
  • Shadcn: A collection of pre-built UI components for web development.
  • MCP (Model Context Protocol): An API for AI that allows access to various tools and resources.
  • NPM (Node Package Manager): A package manager for JavaScript.
• Logical Connections: This section represents the most advanced level of vibe coding, enabling the creation of complex and professional-looking websites with minimal traditional coding.

N8N Integration

• Main Topic: Using N8N as a workbench for testing and building workflows that can be integrated with front-ends built on Windsurf or Lovable.
• Key Points:
  • N8N allows for the creation of automated workflows with code written by AI.
  • It provides a visual interface for testing and debugging workflows.
  • Workflows can be exported and integrated into back-ends built with Windsurf.
• Example: Rebuilding Brand Snap with N8N to automate domain name generation and availability checking.
• Process:
  1. Create a workflow in N8N with nodes for data input, AI processing, and API queries.
  2. Test and debug the workflow in N8N.
  3. Export the workflow and integrate it into a back-end built with Windsurf.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Vibe coding is a transformative approach to building online tools, apps, and websites, empowering marketers and non-coders to create interactive and engaging experiences with minimal traditional coding knowledge. By leveraging AI-powered platforms like Gemini, Lovable, and Windsurf, and by following a structured process that includes creating PRDs and iterating on AI-generated code, anyone can build sophisticated online solutions. While security concerns and the need for some technical understanding remain, the potential benefits of vibe coding are immense, enabling faster development, lower costs, and greater creativity in the digital realm. The integration of automation tools like N8N further enhances the capabilities of vibe coding, allowing for the creation of complex workflows and data-driven applications. The key takeaway is that vibe coding is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in how things are built online, and marketers who embrace this new paradigm will be well-positioned to succeed in the future.