With the ease that comes with using AI tools, it's tempting to think developers can skip the fundamentals of HTML and CSS. When ChatGPT or Copilot can write code, build layouts, and debug issues in seconds, why not jump straight into React, TypeScript, Angular, and the like? The world is moving fast - who has time for the "simple stuff"?
But here's the hard truth: if you don't understand basic HTML and CSS, everything else will eventually feel like a struggle.
I've seen it firsthand. Interns and trainees are often excited to move past seemingly redundant "HTML AND CSS" and dive straight into working with components and complicated logic flows. (Even I once felt HTML and CSS were skippable - back when AI wasn't this dominant in the development world.) But excitement quickly fades when they hit a wall: a stubborn layout, a flexbox puzzle, or a broken grid. Suddenly, the magic of frameworks seems far away.
Some new developers say, "I know a bit of HTML and CSS - I just want to go deeper." But the thing about going deeper is this: when your foundation is shaky, learning seems more complicated. And then there's another group - those who think that since AI can generate code, they don't need to learn much. While they're not entirely wrong, we must remember this: prompt engineering feeds off what we know. If you don't understand the basics, you might not even know what to ask or how to ask.
The Illusion of Speed
AI is amazing. I use it. You probably do too. It speeds up coding, makes suggestions, and even explains syntax. But it should support your thinking, not replace it.
If you don't understand how CSS layout works or what z-index actually controls, you'll find yourself asking the wrong questions - and rewriting the same broken and confusing prompt over and over again.
Fundamentals Are Not Optional
For a long time, I saw HTML and CSS as just an "introduction to coding." But over time, I realized that they are not optional - they are the core technology of the web. Not surprising that every framework and library I've worked with brings me back to them.
Here are some of the core concepts every frontend developer should be comfortable with:
- Semantic HTML - Not just for accessibility, but for SEO and structure.
- The Box Model - Understanding padding, borders, margins, and how they stack up is essential for layout clarity.
- Flexbox and Grid - These are the backbone of responsive designs.
- CSS Specificity and the Cascade - Know why your styles aren't applying, and how to fix them.
- Media Queries - Because mobile-first isn't just a trend - it's a design principle.
- Debugging with DevTools - Not guesswork, but actual analysis of what's wrong.
Learn Slow to Build Fast
I'm not saying you should stay stuck in tutorials forever. But I am saying: learn the right things at the right time.
Master HTML and CSS before you dive into animation libraries, utility-first frameworks, or complex state management. It might feel slow at first, but it saves you from frustration, rewrites, and embarrassing bugs down the line.
When you understand how layouts truly work, you spend less time asking: "Why is my div not centered?" And more time building real features with confidence and clarity.
AI Helps Those Who Know
Here's the final truth: AI tools work best when you already understand what they're doing.
They can suggest snippets and auto-complete lines, but only you can actually put the suggestions to good use by debugging intelligently, tweaking the output to suit your need, or even ask better questions. AI doesn't replace fundamentals - it accelerates those who already have them.
So don't skip the basics.Keep your excitement to go deeper - but make sure your foundation is solid first.
If you're starting out or mentoring others, don't rush past HTML and CSS. Revisit them. Play with them. Break things, fix them, and learn slowly. It's the best investment you can make in your future as a developer; especially with the threat of AI taking over [a topic for another day].
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