Intermediate Vibe Coding Path

Level 2 of 3 · Builder

Intermediate: Turn the first slice into a dependable pilot that can survive change.

Bring: Bring the Level 1 brief and working slice, or an equivalent small project with a defined user and outcome.

Continuous project: Dependable Follow-Up Tracker Pilot
Level result: A pilot build with error handling, manual and automated test evidence, a reviewable change history, restore proof, and security/privacy boundaries.
  • Manage context and changes without destabilizing working behavior.
  • Diagnose and test with reproducible evidence.
  • Protect the pilot through versioning, recovery, security, and privacy controls.

You can review the curriculum here. A free member account saves lesson work, answers, and progress.

1

Manage Project Context

Create a compact project context packet that keeps AI work aligned across sessions.

Build: A reusable context packet containing the user, outcome, constraints, current state, and next task.

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2

Build Interface Basics

Turn the project brief into a clear, usable interface flow.

Build: A screen map and a working happy-path interface for the pilot.

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3

Plan Error Handling

Design failures so users know what happened and what to do next.

Build: An error-state matrix for the pilot’s important actions.

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4

Save Working Versions

Create safe checkpoints before risky changes.

Build: A named working checkpoint with restoration instructions.

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5

Ask AI to Explain Changes

Make generated changes reviewable before accepting them.

Build: A change explanation tied to files, behavior, risks, and tests.

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6

Avoid Unnecessary Rewrites

Repair the smallest responsible surface instead of destabilizing working code.

Build: A bounded change plan showing what will and will not change.

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7

Manual Testing

Test the pilot as a real user across normal and edge conditions.

Build: A completed manual test checklist with results and evidence.

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8

Automated Testing

Automate repeatable checks for the pilot’s highest-value behavior.

Build: A small automated test suite for critical rules and flows.

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9

Debugging with Evidence

Diagnose failures through reproducible evidence instead of prompt-driven guessing.

Build: A debugging record containing reproduction, observations, hypothesis, experiment, and result.

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10

Regression Testing

Protect previously working behavior when changes are made.

Build: A risk-based regression checklist connected to changed components.

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11

Version Control in Practice

Use version control to make changes understandable and recoverable.

Build: A clean branch and commit history for one complete feature change.

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12

Backups and Recovery

Protect code, configuration, and user data with a tested recovery plan.

Build: A backup inventory plus a completed restore drill.

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13

Security Foundations

Apply essential security controls before inviting pilot users.

Build: A security checklist and remediation record for the pilot.

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14

Privacy by Design

Minimize personal data and make its use understandable and controllable.

Build: A data map and privacy decision record for every collected field.

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