Using Claude Code to develop my apps
I've often had really good ideas when it comes to develop apps, websites and businesses, but my lack of coding knowledge, skill and know-how has always been a barrier to that, and I've never had the funds to 'outsource' my development, not that I'm sure if I would even if I did have the means.
But then this year, I discovered Claude Code. AI is still pretty new, and like most people, I had the Chat GPT app on my phone, using it create funny pictures, or ask it a question when I was a little too lazy to Google something. After some bad press about Open AI, I decided to give Claude a go, and I've never looked back! As well as using the website and app versions of Claude, I started to take an interest in Claude Code, to see how it would work, and what I could do with it.
My first project with Claude Code was to upgrade PatchLogic, my online game that's based on Shikaku, a Japanese puzzle game. The live version was OK, but it wasn't brilliant, and I thought that maybe if I tried to prompt Claude Code we could really improve it.
It definitely took a few tries, and there were lots of errors. Over days and probably weeks I tried to fine tune things, even while I was on holiday in Greece, but I got there in the end.
Top tip if you're trying to improve an existing app/site with AI is to keep a real backup somewhere and take baby steps - I learned the hard way what happens when you don't!
Now, when I start a new project or try to improve or tweak an existing project, I ask Claude Code to create a roadmap of what we would like to do, but also of what we're capable of doing. I probably limit Claude's ability to add some really cool features, but all in all, this approach means I generally don't run into any buggy errors that are difficult to roll back.
Over the next few weeks as I settle in to my new house, I think we'll be giving PatchLogic a bit of a refresh and seeing where we can take it.