“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.

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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

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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”

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Best Practices for Turning Ideas Into Real Products

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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)

Use Lovable when you’re ready to go from clear vision to working prototype.

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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).

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3. Choose Your Build Style Wisely

There are two valid approaches to building with Lovable:

  1. 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
  2. Back-to-Front:
    • Connect Supabase from Day 1
    • Build and test each feature one by one
    • Best for advanced users comfortable debugging

If you’re new, choose front-end first. You’ll:

  • 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.

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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:

I want to build a dog breeding management app. Here's what I need it to do: [list]. Can you break this down into steps or components to build?

I’m building a job coaching app. Here’s what I want it to do: [list]. What’s the simplest version to test?

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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

Ask Chat Mode to help plan this with prompts like:

Here’s my app idea. Can you break it into features or steps I should build?

Break this idea into buildable features I can test one at a time.

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6. Prompt with Purpose

Before each prompt, ask:

What am I trying to build right now?

Be specific. Avoid mid-conversation shifts—AI needs consistent intent to help you properly.

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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.

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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.

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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

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10. Get Better by Building Bad Ideas

MP built 100+ throwaway projects:

  • Message-for-a-stranger app
  • 90s nostalgia generator
  • AI interview prep tool

Each one helped him test a skill:

  • 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.

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Builder’s Checklist

  1. Write your idea in 5-10 bullet points
  2. List out core features (use bullets) in an MVP (minimum viable product)
  3. Decide: Front-End First or Back-to-Front
  4. Use Chat Mode to co-plan and debug
  5. Build in bricks: 1 feature at a time
  6. Only connect Supabase when ready
  7. Remix if errors pile up
  8. Get feedback before going live

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Final Tip: You’re the First User

  • Design for yourself first.
  • Test like your future users would.
  • Think like a product designer.

And remember: you’re building something only you could imagine.

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.

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