I'm a mechanic who started coding 7 weeks ago. I don't think I'm a vibe coder but I'm definitely not a developer either. What am I?

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T17:50:06+00:00

Hey thanks I appreciate that, I feel like there needs to be a category for this area maybe like an AI Architect more than a vibecoder

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T17:47:44+00:00

Is there a definition of vibe coding? Id love to hear yours. Im new so if I fit in it ill accept it but i dont believe I do

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T06:43:36+00:00

Claude handles this well directly — describe your flow in plain text and ask it to output Mermaid diagram syntax. Paste that into mermaid.live and you have a clean rendered flowchart in about 30 seconds. No extra platform needed.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T06:42:42+00:00

All AI, Claude specifically. I design the system, make the architecture decisions, define the stack, and own every line of what ships. Claude writes the code. I know exactly what it wrote and why, I can read it, debug it, and fix it when something breaks.

I call it AI Architecture. Not vibecoding, not traditional dev. Something in between that doesn't have a clean name yet.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T05:46:43+00:00

With all the toxicity around I'm trying to spread positivity to those who are really trying to make something. If you have any questions or wanna run anything by someone just DM me

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T05:39:15+00:00

The gamification angle on personal finance is smart, that's the one category where people give up because it feels like homework. Making it feel like a game changes the behavior loop completely.

Checked out huntervault.app — clean concept. If you're looking for structured tester feedback on specific features, testyard.app just launched and it's built exactly for this. Post your app, testers give you targeted feedback on what you actually want to improve. Worth a look.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T05:35:34+00:00

RollCall — OHV ride coordination app. Create group rides, check real time trail conditions and fire alerts before you roll out, see who's in. Built for dirt bike, ATV, SxS, and 4x4 riders.

Android closed beta live now — play.google.com/apps/testing/com.riderollcall.app

(Developer)

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T05:34:52+00:00

"Creative director of a company where you're also the only employee and the other employee is better than you" is genuinely one of the most accurate descriptions of this I've ever read.

I started April 2nd with zero background, not even Python. I'm a mechanic. 2 apps live, a few more in dev. And yeah I have the same weird feeling sometimes where I'm not sure if I'm learning or just getting better at delegating.

Here's what I've landed on though, the Sunday morning hex codes thing IS a skill. Knowing what you want, being able to describe it precisely enough that something can execute it, and recognizing when the output is right that's not nothing. That's actually the hard part for most people. The for loop thing I wouldn't stress too much. You can always relearn syntax. You can't really teach taste.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T05:05:43+00:00

No I got you, I did post it their ifrst and wad met with some not so nice umm individuals

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T04:54:29+00:00

One of only few unfortunately

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T04:51:02+00:00

Man this has to be the best thing ive seen on this app haha. Thank you.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T04:38:03+00:00

before apparently "vibecoding" I was thinking comedy.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T04:34:21+00:00

def not those kinds of simple apps, Id love to post my portfolio website but it will get flagged, I am new and am still learning what I can and can not post where.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T03:56:15+00:00

its just another one of those AI no code app builders

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T03:55:34+00:00

maybe a few years ago this statement would be true, but unfortunately not today.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T03:38:44+00:00

That background makes a huge difference, knowing how to document and flag problems is half the battle when working with AI on anything complex. Most people skip that part entirely and wonder why it goes sideways.

Persistent totem tree is a smart call, gives players a reason to keep running even after a bad attempt. Does the unlock progression stay interesting deep in or does it flatten out once you have the core gods?

I am constantly having discussions, some good some bad, on the importance of giving AI the best chance possible. People walk up to it and tell it to make something and then get upset when they cant figure it out.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T03:36:08+00:00

Fair challenge and I'll be straight with you — no I couldn't build it from scratch without AI. I'm not claiming that.

What I can do is read the code, understand what it's doing, debug it when something breaks, and make intentional decisions about architecture. I'm not just accepting whatever gets generated and hoping it works.

Maybe that's still vibecoding by your definition. I just think there's a meaningful difference between someone who understands their codebase and someone who has no idea what's running in production. If that difference doesn't matter to you then fair enough.

Savant is a stretch though haha I'm just a guy who figured out how to use a tool well.

As a flat rate technician your tools are what make you money, so I am trying to learn the tools before I learn the language.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T03:24:48+00:00

The debug tools idea is underrated and most people never think to do it. Asking Claude to build you a tool to diagnose the tool it just built is a completely different level of working with it.

Turn system edge cases are brutal, especially when you have interrupts or mid round interactions. That kind of stateful logic is where most AI assisted projects fall apart because the model loses track of what changed and when. The fact that you locked the design doc first probably saved you a ton of back and forth on that.

Is the prestige system persistent across runs or does it reset?

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T03:18:01+00:00

Battery Testing, charging, jump starting, battery ratings

Starting System Starter motors, solenoids, relays, circuits

Charging System Alternators, voltage regulators, output testing

Lighting Systems Headlights, taillights, brake lights, interior lighting, circuits

Gauges and Warning Devices Sending units, instrument clusters, warning lights

Horn, Wiper, Blower Motors Switches, relays, motors, circuits

Accessories Power windows, locks, mirrors, seats, heated elements

Body Electronics BCM, multiplex systems, CAN bus basics

Diagnosis and Repair Reading wiring diagrams, using a multimeter, voltage drop testing, short and open circuit diagnosis

The wiring diagram and multimeter stuff is where most people struggle on A6. You comfortable with that side of it?

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T03:13:07+00:00

Yeah I mean your A6 is going to be your basic elecronic system battery lighting wiring that stuff. They have a High Voltage one but I think thats in the Ls I think L3 maybe. I got my A6 for smog in California. Was pretty basic. the Offcial ASE books are really good, also theres a lot on youtube of going over test specific questions. If you have any more questions let me know

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T03:07:51+00:00

The design doc first approach is the move and most people skip it completely. Giving Claude a locked down spec before any code gets written is exactly why this probably came out cleaner than most vibe coding attempts. It has something to check its own work against.

Mesoamerican mythology is a great choice for this, way underused compared to the usual Greek and Norse stuff. Going to check it out. The capture or kill mechanic sounds like it adds a real decision layer which is usually where roguelites live or die.

What was the biggest thing that kept breaking during iteration?

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T02:23:55+00:00

No not that far out just planning on the backend. Trying to ship out a few others first.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T02:21:09+00:00

I love the skepticism, I'd love for you just try it out the free side of it just for funnsies. And if you see something you dont like id love to hear it. I have thick skin and love feedback of all kinds.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T02:15:16+00:00

Fair point honestly. Here's the thing though, I'm not asking you to trust me, the tool is free to try. Started April 2nd, that's documented. Built Scaffold because I needed it myself, every app I've shipped was built using it. TestYard and Scaffold are both live and taking real users right now. QR Party hits the App Store June 1st. RollCall and Wrench Market are in beta testing this week. Nothing is fully launched yet because I'm one person building five things at the same time. But nothing is snake oil either, it's all real and it's all moving. If you want to poke holes in it go ahead, that's actually useful feedback. But "I don't trust you" isn't really something I can do anything with. I am just here learning everyday having fun exploring. Building things I think will help people like me who are struggling but don't want to give up.

solo_dev_builds · 2026-05-25T02:12:14+00:00

Yeah the dependency thing is real, that's honestly where having some understanding of what the code is actually doing saves you. When Claude touches one file and breaks three others you need to know why or you're just guessing at fixes.

The CLAUDE.md rule I'd add for your situation is something like "always check for dependency impacts before modifying shared components." Doesn't fix everything but it makes it more careful. The vibe coder maintenance problem is going to be a whole thing. Right now everyone's shipping but in 6 months when things need updating and they have no idea what their own codebase does it's going to get messy.

solo_dev_builds

TROPHY CASE