Learn to code
a little bit.
AI no code tools let you build software with zero coding knowledge.
Here's the thing, if you know how to code a little bit, you can build more, faster.
This course will supercharge your learning journey and help you avoid hours of wasted effort while shipping projects from day one.
Hi I'm JV,
I'm passionate about helping people make great software.
In my 25 years of coding and 12 years teaching development, I've never seen anything impact my profession as much as AI.
Software by itself is an amazing productivity enhancer. AI powered software takes it to another level.
I’d love to teach you how to use AI to create your own software so you can save time, and grow your impact.
Ship real world projects
In 2023, I taught 40 students using early AI tools to create personalized learning paths. Students of all experience levels built valuable applications for work and daily life. Since then, AI has become more powerful, affordable, and integrated with coding tools.
What if you could be a maker?
For most people, using software is being a taker. You live with the choices other people have made and adapt your workflow to fit. Even people involved in building software are dependent on many other people to bring their ideas to life.
With AI the barrier of entry for building software has come crashing down. With a small amount of skill you can have control over the software you depend on and make it fit your preferences.
So, if you want to automate your work, explore new ideas, create a business, or get more done with less, then this course is for you.
Learn to Code a Little Bit and ship real world projects.
Prepare to 10X your results:
- 1.Get a solid grounding in state of the art no-code tools as an initial launchpad
- 2.Take action through project based sessions, building software that is useful for you
- 3.Level up into a full dev environment with AI assisted tooling.
- 4.Learn the fundamentals of reading and debugging code while avoiding massive time sinks.
- 5.Get started on deployment, source control and managing a live application.
- 6.Build an app (or several) that you can use and share.
From user to software creator in just 6 weeks
Whether you're just discovering no-code tools or already building with them, this course empowers you to create exactly what you envision.
Throughout the course, you'll build software that solves your specific problems, with AI handling complexity while you focus on creativity and direction.
By the end, you won't just have completed projects – you'll have gained the power to turn any idea into reality, backed by AI and your new skillset.
Week 1: Foundations & no-code tools
Build and deploy a functional project using your platform of choice
- Get a comprehensive review of cutting-edge platforms including V0, Replit, Loveable, and Bolt
- Identify which ones align best with your specific goals and working style
- Understand the unique strengths, limitations, and learning curves of each platform
- Learn to evaluate which tools best suit different types of projects and personal workflows
Week 2: Terminal basics & development environment
Discover why professional developers insist on using these core tools and how AI makes them accessible to everyone
- Set up a professional development environment with VS Code and essential extensions
- Learn essential command line navigation without memorizing commands
- Master version control basics to track changes and collaborate
- Use AI assistants to simplify complex developer workflows
Week 3: Code literacy: Understanding and debugging AI-generated code
Grow a key superpower that lets you confidently review, analyze and debug code.
- Develop the ability to read and interpret code that AI tools generate
- Learn debugging techniques that turn frustrating errors into solvable puzzles
- Understand how to effectively prompt AI to generate useful code
- Gain confidence in modifying AI generated solutions to fit your need
Week 4: From prototype to production
Learn deployment workflows that make your creations accessible to others.
- Learn professional deployment fundamentals
- Explore integration options with external services and APIs
- Understand and implement user authentication and data persistence
- Learn how to make your work accessible online with proper hosting and domains
Week 5: Working with evolving codebases
Gain practical skills to confidently scale and evolve your codebase over time.
Using AI to start a project from scratch is one thing, but applying those same tools to existing code requires different techniques.
- Learn effective code organization as your project grows
- Learn powerful refactoring techniques that improve without breaking
- Develop practical workflows for navigating and understanding larger codebases
- Balance delivering new features with maintaining code quality and readability
Week 6: Building sustainable momentum
Establish effective practices for your continued growth and success as a software builder.
- Learn practical strategies for ongoing development and maintenance
- Build your personal learning roadmap with concrete next steps
- Develop a systematic approach to evaluating and adopting new tools and frameworks
- Implement a personalized accountability system to ensure continued progress after the course
Preview this sample lecture from week 1
Secure your spot in the next cohort
The March 2025 cohort has just wrapped up.
This course is designed as a collaborative, cohort-based experience where students progress together, receive timely feedback, and build alongside a community of peers.
Join the waitlist for the next cohort
I open new cohorts when there's enough interest to form an engaging learning community. By joining the waitlist, you'll be the first to know when enrollment reopens. Current plan is to run again in early June.
Meet the teaching team
I've been working with this handpicked team of Dev Academy alumni on commercial projects for over a year.
Each excels at learning, teaching, coding, and AI development – and I'm excited to now be teaching alongside them to help you bridge the gap between AI no-code tools and custom development.
Joshua Vial
JV studied computer science in the late 90s, has been programming professionally ever since. He co-founded Dev Academy in 2013, and has been consulting and teaching independently since 2023.
JV: you've already heard enough about me, I'm thrilled to introduce you to the team.
Tadhg Connolly
Tadhg graduated Dev Academy in 2021, likes having fun and believes learning is most effective when it's enjoyable.
When not exploring new technologies, they enjoy finding creative solutions to complex problems. Prior to their developer arc they studied and tutored psychology. Amateur psychoanalysis not included in base price.
JV: Unfortunately, Tadhg is better than me at chess. For now.
Jen Hurley
Jen both studied and taught at Dev Academy in 2023, and loves creating inclusive learning environments that demystify software development.
They meet learners where they are, encouraging exploration and making technology accessible through a supportive approach that transforms "I can't code" into "I just haven't coded yet."
JV: I've had to bribe the fundsorter.com team to make some of Jen's time available for teaching. They are big fans.
You'll see JV in the recorded lectures, the weekly live Q&A call and occasionally on the help desk.
Tadhg and Jen will be on the help desk as well as leading the small group and one on one coaching sessions.
Got Questions?
How much time do I need?
3 - 5 hours per week. On the Essentials plan you can get by with two hours per week but you will likely leave a few things to come back to.
For Premium plans the time requirements can be customizable to your availability.
What technologies will you cover?
The core curriculum will cover web and mobile development as that is what the AI no-code tools are optimised for.
However, the tools and skills you'll learn during the course are suitable for any type of software development.
When will the calls be?
The weekly Q&A session will be on Wednesdays 12.30pm NZ time (GMT-13). The session will be recorded and include questions from discord for those who can't make it live. If there is demand for a second Q&A session at a time friendlier for other time zones we can add it in upon request.
Group and private coaching will be scheduled ad hoc based on student preferences.
Do I need to pay for any AI tools?
Not unless you want to. All of the tools covered in the course have free plans, and you will be able to complete the course without spending money on tools.
The free plans have a lot of limitations and you won't be able to build as much (or as quickly) as if you choose to spend money.
One goal of the course is to give you a good understanding of the different tools so you can get the most bang for your buck if you decide to spend.
