Bolt.new: My 10-Hour Test Drive from Concept to Creation
How AI Empowered a Non-Coder to Build and Launch an App
As a designer with no formal coding background, AI-powered tools have transformed my approach to building digital products. Just a few months ago, creating a simple calculator with Claude AI felt “advanced.” Fast-forward a few weeks, and I found myself using platforms like v0.dev (by Vercel) to bring practical tools to life—tools for personal research and client work, like the Super Fan Effect Tool I shared recently. The process was surprisingly smooth, thanks to v0's intuitive UI components and an aesthetically pleasing user experience. For smaller projects, v0 was ideal, empowering me to build something functional and visually appealing without writing a single line of code.
However, as I began tackling more complex challenges, it didn’t take long to hit v0’s limitations. At first, it was just a bit slower with more features, but soon it felt like an eternity to make even simple changes once the project got complicated. Just as I was wondering if there might be something faster, Bolt.new came onto the scene—and it was like a breath of fresh air. Suddenly, I could tackle more sophisticated designs and features, bringing my ideas to life with far fewer roadblocks. Working with Bolt.new was an entirely new experience, and I’ll be honest—it was actually a lot of fun!
Discovering Bolt.new: Stepping Up the Game
Bolt.new, developed by StackBlitz, combines web development tools with AI-driven prompts, making advanced development accessible to coders and non-coders alike. It facilitates the creation of full-stack web applications directly in the browser, using AI to streamline the coding process. Within hours, I was building a new career design tool called GoalSync, which helps freelancers and entrepreneurs visualize and plan scenarios, factoring in variables like finances, time, and well-being. Bolt.new's compatibility with platforms like Netlify for deployment and support for Node.js and other web technologies gave me the flexibility I needed for a complex project.
Creating an early version in v0 helped me clarify features and requirements. However, limitations prevented me from implementing all the functionality I wanted. Switching to Bolt.new was eye-opening—within about two hours, I had a functioning draft of the tool’s main interface. Including activity log input, data visualization, and basic seeting.

The Developer’s Dilemma: Bugs, Tokens, and Limitations
Of course, the story didn’t end there. As I continued refining GoalSync, I realized that AI-driven development still comes with its own set of challenges. Ten hours later, I was still tinkering, working through a list of unfixed bugs while anxiously watching my token count deplete. I chuckled (and sweated) when I realized I’d blown through tokens on features like “better colors” and “drag-and-drop elements.” Next time, I vowed, I’d prioritize functionality.
Another ten hours and $30 later, I’d deployed GoalSync five times, each iteration supposedly “final.” Each time, though, I found improvements or new ideas that kept me in a loop. Eventually, I had to cut my losses and let go of a few non-essential features. I’d finally reached a version I could call done, reminding myself to take off my perfectionist hat and step back.
This experience with Bolt.new was both exhilarating and humbling. The rapid iteration felt like having superpowers, but I also learned a few hard lessons about budgeting for trial and error—especially with the token costs. By my rough estimate, three requests might run about $1, depending on the complexity. If you’re considering diving into AI-powered development, here are a few best practices to make the most of your tokens and time:

Lessons Learned: Getting the Most from AI-Powered Development
Start with a Clear Plan
Outline your core features, logic, and structures in a concise requirements document. Adding visuals or examples can save both time and tokens by reducing back-and-forth with the AI. Clear prep work upfront is key to efficient progress.Communicate Goals and Seek Recommendations Early
Before diving into specific implementations, share the purpose and desired outcome of each feature with the AI. Asking for high-level recommendations helps avoid overcomplicated solutions, and you’re more likely to receive simpler, cost-effective approaches tailored to your vision.Build Incrementally and Troubleshoot as You Go
Implement features in small steps, testing each increment before moving forward. This approach makes it easier to pinpoint issues during debugging, avoiding the need to untangle complex bugs later.Prioritize Requests and Budget Wisely
Before each iteration, conduct a quality check and list your highest-priority improvements, focusing first on core functionality. Keeping a clear priority list ensures you stay on budget and reach a polished result without running out of resources mid-project.Leverage Examples to Clarify Expectations
Providing tangible examples wherever possible helps the AI understand your design style or functional expectations, reducing unnecessary revisions and aligning outputs with your vision more quickly.
Final Thoughts
Working with AI on development has felt a bit like learning to drive today—advanced technology everywhere, yet getting on the road still takes effort. Every bug squashed and feature added felt like a small victory, and I've come away with a deep respect for developers who tackle these challenges daily. AI tools are fantastic for design, rapid iteration, and prototyping, yet they’ve shown me firsthand just how intricate “simple” can actually be.
I’ve also realized how AI can really strengthen collaboration between designers and developers. By accelerating prototyping and reducing endless rounds of tweaks, AI lets teams focus on creativity and problem-solving instead of back-and-forth adjustments. In the near future, I can see this tech saving hours across the industry, streamlining development workflows in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
Next time, I might resist the urge to use up tokens on “just one more tweak” (at least, that’s the goal). But for now, I’m wrapping up this project, giving my perfectionist self a break, and already brainstorming what to build next—hopefully before my wallet catches on to this new AI-powered habit!
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