As a solo developer with limited time, I needed a tool that could help me turn a deeply philosophical idea into a working product fast. That’s where Bolt.new came in.
I used Bolt to build PosWrite, a minimalist social platform that replaces mindless scrolling with meaningful writing and thoughtful interaction. The platform emphasizes pure text, calm design, and deep reading inspired by the immersive feel of a good book.
How Bolt Changed My Development Workflow
Bolt fundamentally transformed how I build software. Instead of writing long spec docs or setting up boilerplate from scratch, I shifted to writing clear, structured prompts. I would describe the behavior, UI structure, and data logic, and let Bolt generate React components, Supabase queries, and edge function handlers for me.
This meant I could:
- Move quickly from idea to working feature
- Iterate rapidly by refining prompts rather than rewriting code
- Offload repetitive boilerplate to the AI and focus on the product's essence
The Learning Curve
This was my first time using AI prompt engineering to build an app end-to-end. There were moments when the AI looped or returned broken logic, and I had to debug manually or search forums to fix gaps. But with practice, I learned how to:
- Break down complex problems into smaller, promptable parts
- Fine-tune prompts to reduce friction
- Blend AI suggestions with my own code confidently
Bolt didn't just save time it taught me a new mindset around building: think modular, communicate clearly, and always be ready to iterate.
What I Built with Bolt
With Bolt’s help, I built a full-stack social app with:
- Markdown editor and reader
- Real-time post interactions (likes, comments, bookmarks)
- Hashtags, mentions, and reading time
- Supabase edge functions for notifications
- Role-based moderation and content reporting
- Dark/light theme support
Final Thoughts
Bolt was like having a co-pilot that never got tired. It allowed me to bring PosWrite to life even while juggling a job and parenting and gave me the confidence to explore AI-assisted development more seriously.
This wasn’t just a coding tool. It was a product accelerator that helped turn a meaningful idea into a working, scalable platform.
Top comments (1)
That’s seriously impressive, especially pulling it off solo and balancing so much