Love this step-by-step breakdown! As someone who's been deep in the AI prototyping trenches, I can't stress enough how important that initial requirements phase is (I've learned this the hard way D:).
Here's a practical tip from my experiments: Start even smaller than you think you need to. Like, microscopically small. Those 'simple' prototypes have a funny way of growing complex real fast.
The real game-changer? Using AI not just for the coding part, but for the whole ideation-to-prototype pipeline. Though heads up - you'll still need to be the one making the strategic decisions. AI is an amazing co-pilot, but you've got to be the captain.
Really fascinating to see how fast you can create a running prototype or even finished products nowadays.
Last week I tried out Codeium’s Windsurf editor and was blown away. I’ve created a working website just by promting without a single line of code written by myself.
And that makes sense. It seems to be a common scenario where users adopt AI tools because they have used products/services from the same provider before.
Xinran, this is great. I love that you take the extra step to design it in UX Pilot before you use bolt. It is so much better from a fidelity perspective. Have you tried Loveable, it now allows you to upload figma files and then use AI to prototype on top of it.
Thanks Sabine! For some reason, I just saw your comment! Sorry.
Yes, I tried Loveable (via its integration with Builder.io). I was not impressed. The result was not good. I'll try again sometime to see whether it gets better or not.
Love this step-by-step breakdown! As someone who's been deep in the AI prototyping trenches, I can't stress enough how important that initial requirements phase is (I've learned this the hard way D:).
Here's a practical tip from my experiments: Start even smaller than you think you need to. Like, microscopically small. Those 'simple' prototypes have a funny way of growing complex real fast.
The real game-changer? Using AI not just for the coding part, but for the whole ideation-to-prototype pipeline. Though heads up - you'll still need to be the one making the strategic decisions. AI is an amazing co-pilot, but you've got to be the captain.
Want to see some real-world AI prototyping adventures? I recently wrote about my late-night coding sessions with AI tools: https://thoughts.jock.pl/p/building-apps-with-ai-2025-late-night-coding-adventure
(And yes, some of those experiments crashed and burned - but those are often the best learning experiences :)
Nice, Pawel! It looks like you've been building many things recently. Will follow your journey.
Thanks!
Brilliant. I've been using lovable.dev to prototype.
Amazing, Rose. How's been your experience so far?
Awesome !!!
Thanks Bharat!
Really fascinating to see how fast you can create a running prototype or even finished products nowadays.
Last week I tried out Codeium’s Windsurf editor and was blown away. I’ve created a working website just by promting without a single line of code written by myself.
I have not heard of Windsurf. Is it like Cursor?
Great to hear your perspectives as a software developer!
Yes, it is like Cursor (also a VS Code fork). It was developed by the guys from Codeium which I've used previously so I gave it a shot.
Also, they've got a cool and unique domain name: wind.surf
That is a cool name/idea!
And that makes sense. It seems to be a common scenario where users adopt AI tools because they have used products/services from the same provider before.
Does the Bolt product have a back end? Or is it more like a Claude “artifact”
It does have a backend!
Mind blown!
Do you have a subscription with Claude? While I had a great experience using it to do some mockups, the usage limit is really low.
I do. I am on the Pro plan, which has 5x the usage limit of the Free plan.
That said, it's still easy to reach the limit when coding/building things.
Wow, I need to try this out! Thanks Xinran for sharing this 👌🏻
Thanks Mary! Looking forward to your newsletter too.
Absolutely need to try this out! Thanks for sharing this! 🔥
Thanks Mariusz!
Love the step by step breakdown, especially the smart workaround for UX Pilot’s paywall. Definitely trying this out.
Thank you, Lily!
This is thoughtful!! I'd like to try
Thanks Vee! Give them a try and I'm curious to hear about your experience.
Xinran, this is great. I love that you take the extra step to design it in UX Pilot before you use bolt. It is so much better from a fidelity perspective. Have you tried Loveable, it now allows you to upload figma files and then use AI to prototype on top of it.
Thanks a lot, Mustafa! I only tried Lovable once and didn't use that feature. How was the experience? I need to try it out.
This was extremely helpful. Will definitely build something in this month and I will also share all of my journey
Amazing! I'll be following your journey.
Great stuff Xin. Seeing it consume the screen grabs as a reference is super cool
Hi Ed! Great to see you here. Yes, the screen grabs were often helpful to control the results.
Cool demo!
Thanks Steve!
Thanks Sabine! For some reason, I just saw your comment! Sorry.
Yes, I tried Loveable (via its integration with Builder.io). I was not impressed. The result was not good. I'll try again sometime to see whether it gets better or not.