Build a native job-tracker app with AI writing all the code

Andy Bennett built Helm, a Mac, iPhone and iPad job tracker with CV tailoring, with AI writing all of the code and most of the design across 641 commits and 21 plans. The first working Mac version landed in about eight hours of commits on September 11; both apps are now in TestFlight beta.

How it works

Prototype a web version to build a real data corpus
Pivot to a native CloudKit app
Direct the AI with specs, screenshots and pointers
The AI writes all code and most design across 21 plans
Review whole branches for cross-cutting defects
Ship TestFlight beta builds

Why it’s worth knowing

641 commits of a real multi-platform app, written entirely by the agent under one person's direction.

Where it’s from

Summarized from a public post on medium.com. See the original ↗

Upgraded prompt

A ready-to-use prompt for this idea, built from research on what makes AI agents do the job right: who the AI should be, the exact steps, and a check to make sure it was done the way you wanted.

1Who the AI should be

2The prompt, with the steps

3The check when it’s done

Upgraded prompts are coming soon.

Try next

WorkThe AI audited my eBay store, found 28 listings going nowhere, and sold a bundle for me WorkA contractor talks measurements into his phone and QuickBooks sends the estimate in 45 seconds WorkFind me 48 school-district customers and draft each pitch — one replied, booked and paid WorkRead every job advert, tailor my CV and apply with my approval

Every idea is a real post from someone who tried it, summarized in our words, with a link to the original. App names are swapped for plain words.