Part III — Beginner Track: Learn to Communicate Like a Builder

What this part is for

Part III is the “learn to talk like a builder” part of the guide. You already know the vibe loop. Now you learn how to communicate requirements so the model produces code that is:

• runnable (you can execute it immediately),
• reviewable (small diffs, predictable structure),
• verifiable (tests, examples, acceptance criteria),
• maintainable (clean boundaries instead of one giant file).

What you’ll be able to do after Part III

• Write prompts that consistently produce the kind of code you can actually ship.
• Define “done” so the model stops guessing and starts meeting criteria.
• Use examples as mini-tests to anchor behavior.
• Force explicit assumptions to reduce hallucinations.
• Apply the core vibe coding patterns (scaffold → implement → refine, diff-only, tests-first).
• Debug with the model efficiently using minimal reproducible errors.

The beginner-track mindset

Beginner track doesn’t mean “low ambition.” It means you build the habits that scale:

• Evidence over persuasion: errors, logs, tests beat arguments.
• Small steps: one change at a time, with verification.
• Explicit boundaries: file maps, module seams, stable APIs.
• Fast recovery: regressions happen; you want the shortest path back to green.

Core principles (that keep you out of trouble)

• Ask for a plan before code when the task is non-trivial.
• Define constraints (language, runtime, libraries, style, file boundaries).
• Define “done” with acceptance criteria and examples.
• Prefer diffs over full rewrites for changes to existing code.
• Use tests (or at least repeatable checks) as the truth source.
• Make assumptions explicit so you can correct them quickly.

Part III map (Sections 6–8)

• 6. Prompting Basics for Code (Without Prompt-Engineering Theater)
• 7. The Core Vibe Coding Patterns
• 8. A Gentle Intro to Debugging With AI

Suggested paths (beginner vs experienced)

If you’re new to coding

• Read Section 6 in order.
• Skim Section 7 first, then come back and practice patterns as you build.
• Use Section 8 every time you hit an error (it’s a reusable method).

If you’re an experienced developer

• Skim Section 6 to align on prompt structure and acceptance criteria.
• Spend more time in Section 7 (diff-only, tests-first, modularization patterns).
• Use Section 8 to improve debugging throughput and discipline.

Where to go next

• Start with 6. Prompting basics for code
• Back to Part II “Hello, Vibe”