The First Build

Why this matters

This is the drill where the belief breaks: 'I could never build software.' You will take the spec you wrote in Drill 3.1, paste it into Lovable.dev, and watch a working web application appear. It will not be perfect. It will not be exactly what you imagined. But it will be real, interactive, and running in a browser. That moment — seeing something you described turn into something you can click — is where the course turns a corner.

How to do it

1. 1

   Create an account at lovable.dev if you have not already

   The free tier gives you enough to complete this module. Sign in with Google or email.

2. 2

   Use the Lovable Build prompt to initiate the first build

   Paste your trimmed spec from Drill 3.1 into Lovable. The first prompt sets the entire project direction.

3. 3

   Let Lovable generate the first version — do not interrupt it

   The build typically takes 30–90 seconds. Watch the code being written in real time. Do not send another prompt until it finishes.

4. 4

   Preview the app and test the core functionality

   Click every button. Fill in every form field. Does the core user action work? Note what works and what does not — you will fix it in Drill 3.3.

The prompt

Build a web application with the following specification:

[PASTE YOUR TRIMMED SPEC FROM DRILL 3.1]

Technical requirements:
- Clean, modern UI using standard components
- Fully functional (not a mockup) — the core user actions should actually work
- Responsive (works on mobile and desktop)
- Light mode by default

Start with the most important user action and build that first. Do not add features not in the spec.

Success criteria

• ✓You have a running web application in Lovable
• ✓The core user action from your spec is functional (not just displayed)
• ✓You tested all interactive elements and know what works and what does not
• ✓You can describe three specific improvements you want to make in Drill 3.3

Common mistakes