“I have no clue what I’m doing… but I know exactly what I want to build.”If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place.
Who This Is For
You’ve got an idea. You’ve tried AI tools, written notes, maybe even opened a few projects. But you’re stuck between inspiration and execution. This guide will help you:- Go from vague concept to concrete product
- Avoid common mistakes
- Use Lovable the smart way—especially if you’re not a developer
The Common Pitfall: Building Before You Plan
A lot of users fall into the same trap:They start building before they’ve clarified what they’re building.
The result?
- Errors on top of errors
- Confused AI agents and AI-generated errors
- Projects that veer off track or feel “
too far gone to fix
”
Best Practices for Turning Ideas Into Real Products
1. Start Outside Lovable
Many builders—including livestream guest MP—spend time shaping their ideas before opening Lovable. Try this:- Record a voice note explaining your idea naturally (MP uses Granola for this)
- Paste it into GPT or Claude to get an expanded version in clear product terms
- Ask AI to act as a designer, PM, or developer and critique or co-draft a PRD (Product Requirements Document)
2. Write It Out First
Before you prompt the AI, spend 15 minutes writing:- What does your product do?
- Who it’s for (even if it’s just you)
- What the simplest & minimum version should include
Turn this into a list of features or use cases:Write it as a list of user stories or features and feed it into chat mode or GPT to get a PRD (Product Requirements Document).
3. Choose Your Build Style Wisely
There are two valid approaches to building with Lovable:- Front-End First (Recommended for Beginners)
- Start with mock data
- Build layouts, flows, and logic without connecting a database
- Once satisfied, plug in Supabase and go live
- Back-to-Front:
- Connect Supabase from Day 1
- Build and test each feature one by one
- Best for advanced users comfortable debugging
- Avoid complex SQL errors
- Iterate faster
- Stay focused on design + usability
MP used front-end first for speed, clarity, and debugging ease. It helped him learn fast and ship quicker.
4. Use Chat Mode as a Thought Partner
Chat Mode isn’t just a chatbot—it’s your project-aware assistant. It knows your files, your database schema, your logs. Use it to:- Debug issues with context
- Break down vague ideas into structured components
- Brainstorm, plan, and iterate
- Translate vague ideas into working flows
Try this prompt:
5. Break It Down into Bricks
Don’t build everything at once. Split your idea into bricks:- Each brick = one feature, component, or flow
- Build one at a time
- Test, refine, then move on
6. Prompt with Purpose
Before each prompt, ask:7. Avoid the Infinite Error Loop
Stuck? Don’t click “Try to Fix” 10 times. Instead:- Open browser dev tools (Console tab)
- Copy the actual error
- Paste it into Chat Mode to investigate
- Or remix the project without your database to simplify debugging
Lovable now reads console logs automatically—no copy-paste needed for most cases.
8. Remix If Things Get Messy
Projects evolve. If things feel tangled:- Remix your project (it clones the project, you keep the original)
- Start fresh with what you’ve learned
- Keep the new build focused and structured
- Keep what works. Drop what doesn’t.
9. Use Real Validation, Fast
A user told us he didn’t build to sell. He sent a rough prototype to 10 users in DMs. One asked to pay immediately. By Friday, Stripe was integrated. Validate by:- Asking real users, “Would this help you?”
- Getting quick feedback, not perfection
- Letting real interest guide your next steps
10. Get Better by Building Bad Ideas
MP built 100+ throwaway projects:- Message-for-a-stranger app
- 90s nostalgia generator
- AI interview prep tool
- Building UI with no backend
- Adding profanity filters
- Connecting AI APIs
- Managing user flow
Lesson:Build things that don’t need to exist—so you’re ready when something does.
Builder’s Checklist
- Write your idea in 5-10 bullet points
- List out core features (use bullets) in an MVP (minimum viable product)
- Decide: Front-End First or Back-to-Front
- Use Chat Mode to co-plan and debug
- Build in bricks: 1 feature at a time
- Only connect Supabase when ready
- Remix if errors pile up
- Get feedback before going live
Final Tip: You’re the First User
- Design for yourself first.
- Test like your future users would.
- Think like a product designer.
You don’t need to know how to code.
You just need a clear idea, a good plan, and a little patience.
Lovable will help with the rest.