The "just build it" approach works surprisingly well with modern AI

2026-02-11 · Source: How I AI · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Software Development & Engineering · Depth: Intermediate, quick

Summary

The "just build it" approach, leveraging modern AI tools like Claude Code, proves effective for rapid application development. A participant describes using an AI assistant to create a spinning wheel feature for a tips and tricks section. The process involves prompting the AI to analyze previous plans and the existing codebase, then specifying the desired functionality: a button press initiates a spinning wheel, which lands on a tip, and that tip is subsequently displayed in a card below the spinner. The participant emphasizes reviewing the AI's high-level plan, which includes details like button scale animation, haptic feedback, spin animation, a brief pause, and the final tip reveal, ensuring it aligns with the project's requirements.

Key takeaway

For AI Engineers or Software Engineers looking to accelerate feature development, consider adopting a "just build it" approach with AI assistants. By clearly articulating desired functionality, including UI/UX specifics like animations and haptic feedback, you can quickly generate functional prototypes. Always review the AI's high-level plan to ensure it meets your exact specifications before proceeding with implementation.

Key insights

Modern AI assistants enable rapid prototyping through a "just build it" approach.

Principles

• Anchor AI to existing plans and code.
• Review AI's high-level plan for alignment.

Method

Prompt AI with desired features, including UI/UX details. AI generates a plan. Review the plan for alignment with requirements. Iterate as needed.

In practice

• Use AI for UI component generation.
• Specify animation and haptic feedback.

Topics

• AI Assistants
• Prompt Engineering
• UI/UX Development
• Code Generation
• Rapid Prototyping

Best for: AI Engineer, Software Engineer, Prompt Engineer

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by How I AI.