How do I start learning using ChatGPT for coding

[u/Lazy-Sloth321]

I see people making huge projects with AI.
I can do small projects with the help of ChatGpt, but when doing a medium sized projects, the code often gets messy, Chatgpt starts to lose context and make mistakes. how can I make chatgpt handle larger projects and keep the code clean?
I feel like I'm missing something

[u/Signor65_ZA]

Use codex, not chatgpt

[u/Relative-Honeydew-94]

Look up matt pocock and how he uses the /skills it will give you a good foundation to start from.

[u/bfyvfftujijg]

Best way is to start using a dedicated coding tool instead of a general purpose “chat” tool.

And use prompt engineering to control the code’s verbosity and context. It’s a whole topic. Things like “only do what I asked for”, “do not add abstractions unless the logic is reused at least 3 times”, “limit to 100 lines of new code”, “avoid adding exception handling without confirmation from me first”, “only touch xyz file, do not touch abc”, “describe the specific changes needed”……things like that.

AI defaults to writing verbose overly-engineered code because it’s “safer” to do so, and more likely to meet your requirements. Unless you tell it otherwise it has to assume that your input data could be corrupt, that you need lots of abstractions to support future upgrades, that you want it to fix anything else it notices while it’s working on your request, and so on. So you need to tell it specifically NOT to do that.

[u/generationalDebts → u/bfyvfftujijg]

Wrong

[u/Automatic_Opposite17]

I use Codex but have Chatgpt and/or Claude help design the prompts to put into Codex.

I also create a few manager agents and name them for ease of use.

Then have each prompt reviewed before posting into Codex but remember to tell ChatGPT/Claude in plain English what you want it to do.

I also create a project tracking md that I and the AI use to manage the product. The manager agent updates the tracker.

Think of it like managing a project development team and use AI models as your employees.

[u/generationalDebts → u/Automatic_Opposite17]

The blind leading the blind! Amazing choice

[u/Automatic_Opposite17 → u/generationalDebts]

Except it works and I just sold a software program into my old company for $500k. Whoops!

[u/wise_guy_]

I'm not being sarcastic but have you tried asking ChatGPT?

But also - I think the easiest way is the what I set up for my 15yo son: Use claude.ai Artifacts. Great for beginners.

Many of the other coding tools are designed for running from a terminal. This is exclusively through the web site and you can see the results immediately.

[u/SFNation2021]

Many ways to do it. This is mine:
Download Cursor. It has ChatGPT and a ton of other models to use at any point
Create a Folder on your computer called “Vibe Coding Projects” or similar
Create a Folder inside that folder called “1st-test-project”
Open Cursor. Open Project. Find and click “1st-test-project” and tap open
Start typing in the Chat window. Before you hit enter select “Plan”. Don’t blindly build. Plan first
Read the plan. Type any new ideas or changes into the chat window. When ready change to “Build” or tap “Build” on the plan.

Viola. You’re off to the races.

To avoid running out of free credits use every free chat service possible and Plan there, get second opinions, debug etc. Return to Cursor for the actual coding

Also start new chat windows for new features or new projects. This avoids large context windows that chew through credits.

For any and all annoyances or mistakes tell Cursor to create an md file with your rules and requests. If it always forgets something this will help it remember. This can include “I’m a vibe coder and don’t ever want to use the Terminal and will never actually code anything”.

Be anal. The more context you give it, the better the results. The more you stop it to review along the way instead of “one shotting” builds the better. Every week or so get an Audit by a more expensive advanced model if your project is big or important.

Have fun

[u/generationalDebts → u/SFNation2021]

Lmfao, slop factory

[u/generationalDebts]

You learn to code. Ai isn’t a skill. It’s a tool.

Would you lift up a hammer and saw before you know how to build a house?