Session Overview
Total Time: ~4.5-5 hours | Breaks: 4 x 10 minutes
This bootcamp is designed as a single continuous learning session. Here's how the time breaks down:
Session Timeline
| Phase | Duration | What You'll Do |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 0: Learning Contract | 15 min | Set expectations, define success |
| Phase 1: Foundations | 45 min | Learn concepts, set up your environment |
| Break | 10 min | — |
| Phase 2: Requirements | 30 min | Define what we're building |
| Phase 3: Work Breakdown | 15 min | Create your task list |
| Phase 4: Stack Selection | 20 min | Choose your tools |
| Break | 10 min | — |
| Phase 5: Project Setup | 30 min | Initialize your project |
| Phase 6: Working with AI | 25 min | Learn the AI workflow |
| Break | 10 min | — |
| Phase 7: Building | 90 min | Write your application |
| Break | 10 min | — |
| Phase 8: Test & Deploy | 25 min | Ship it! |
| Phase 9: Reflection | 15 min | Review what you learned |
The Three Parts
Part 1: Understanding (Phases 0-4)
Before writing code, you'll understand:
- What programming is and how the web works
- What exactly you're building (requirements)
- How to break big problems into small tasks
- Which tools to use and why
Part 2: Building (Phases 5-7)
The main event:
- Set up your project like a professional
- Learn to work effectively with AI
- Build your application piece by piece
Part 3: Shipping (Phases 8-9)
Get it out there:
- Test that everything works
- Deploy to the internet
- Reflect on what you learned
What You Need
Before starting, make sure you have:
- [ ] A computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux)
- [ ] An internet connection
- [ ] A GitHub account (we'll help you create one if needed)
- [ ] About 5 hours of focused time
Project Options
During Phase 2, you'll choose what to build. All options include user authentication plus:
| Option | Description | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Notes | Create and manage private notes | Simple, fast to build |
| Task Tracker | Todo list with checkboxes | Slightly more interactive |
| Micro-Blog | Short posts with timestamps | Content-focused |
| Bookmark Saver | Save and organize links | Actually useful! |
You'll decide together during the requirements phase.
Tips for Success
Stay Curious
Ask "why?" often. Understanding the reasoning helps more than memorizing steps.
Make Mistakes
Errors are learning opportunities. Every developer sees error messages constantly.
Use the Reference
The reference section has cheatsheets. Print them if it helps!
Take Breaks
The breaks are scheduled for a reason. Step away, stretch, hydrate.