Remember the first time you used ChatGPT?

It felt like magic right?

In this Part we’re discussing a tool that replicates that “oh…wow” moment.

Today we're looking at Bolt - a tool that lets you build actual web apps just by describing what you want. No coding required.

Let’s get started:

What Makes Bolt Special?

Think of Bolt as ChatGPT for building web apps. Instead of writing code, you describe what you want, and it builds it for you. The interface will feel familiar - it's just like chatting with an AI.

But here's the magic: instead of just getting a response, you get a working application. One you can share with anyone. One you can deploy to the internet with a single click.

Getting Started (It’s legitimately this easy)

1. Go to bolt.new (not affiliate)

2. Click "New Project"

3. Describe what you want to build

That's it. Really. No setup, no installations, no configuration. Just start describing your app.

Now, ideally I want you to go and do that yourself. You’ll be able to experience the wow moment yourself. But I get that you are busy so let me do it for you in the hope that it’ll make you go and try it yourself!

Let's build something simple to see how it works. How about a basic note-taking app? Here's what you might type:

"Create a simple note-taking app where users can:

• Write new notes

• Save notes

• View all their notes

• Delete notes they don't want anymore"

Watch as Bolt starts building your app right in front of you. You'll see the code on the left (don't worry if you don't understand it) and a live preview on the right.

Here’s what it looks like:

Looks fancy right? All that code!

But you aren’t writing it. Bolt does all the heavy lifting for you.

You can also view the live preview and immediately play around with it:

Not quite what you wanted? This is key.

You don’t have to jump into the code and rewrite. Instead you are going to speak to Bolt like you speak to ChatGPT - via chat.

Just keep chatting with it:

• "Make the save button blue instead of grey"

• "Add a dark mode toggle"

• "Make the notes searchable"

Et voila:

Dark/light mode toggle added. Save note button colour is blue. And a search bar has been added.

It's like having a conversation with a developer who can make changes instantly. You just go back and forth with the changes you want in natural language. Without it driving your developer mad!

When to Use Bolt

Bolt shines when:

• You want to build something quickly

• It's a relatively simple web application

• You need something you can share publicly

• You want instant deployment

• You're testing an idea before building something bigger

The sweet spot is small to medium-sized web apps. Think todo lists, simple calculators and basic assistants.

If you’ve been working through the previous levels then your scope is very likely right for Bolt. If we could put it in a Claude Project or a Launch Lemonade wrapper we can spin it up into a web app. The level of complexity is apt.

In terms of our project you want a project brief. We want to give Bolt as much information as possible going in. Here’s a prompt to draft a brief:

You are an expert in converting AI tools into web applications. Help me create a Bolt project brief based on my existing AI solution.

Please ask me these questions one at a time and wait for my response:

1. What is your current AI tool's main function? (Describe the input and output)

2. What steps does your current prompt/assistant take to transform the input into output?

3. Who is the intended user of your application? (Technical level, profession, needs)

4. What features of your current solution get the most positive feedback?

5. What are the main pain points or limitations of your current solution?

Based on my answers, create two things:

1. A list of essential features for the web app version
2. A list of potential additional features that could enhance the user experience

Then ask me to prioritize these features from must-have to nice-to-have.

Finally, create a Bolt project brief that includes:
- A clear description of the application's purpose
- The core functionality
- Key user interface elements
- Specific features to include
- Any particular styling preferences
- Deployment requirements (ie on website, standalone)

Present this brief in a format ready to paste into Bolt.new. No additional context.

This will get you started with a strong foundation. From there communicate back and forth with Bolt giving feedback and having it make changes bit by bit.

Now…this is all well and go. But you you have to go and try it to really see the power. There’s a generous free trial.

1. Go to bolt.new (not affiliate)

2. Build something simple

3. Deploy it and share it with someone

That's it. No setup, no complications. Just start building.

In Part 5, we'll look at Cursor - for when you need even more power and control. But for now have a play with Bolt. You might be surprised how much you can build just by describing what you want!

And again - if you want to hop on our free AI builders’ accelerator here’s the waitlist.

P.S. (!!!) If you’ve got this far we’re exploring launching a 30 Day AI Agent Accelerator where we:

1. Hone a business idea

2. Build a focused AI tool

3. Test and refine the tool

4. Market and launch

Course, community and live sessions.

Waitlist here: https://heyform.net/f/ZCCsfMqx