Cherlock Code 🔎How to Bring Your Ideas to Life in a Weekend
As our lives get busier, there’s one thing we never have enough of - time.
When I speak with newbie developers and students learning how to code, and I ask them about their coding projects, nine times out of ten they respond with something along the lines of:
I’ve been working on this [project] for a while now, but progress has been slow and I’m trying to get it finished. I just never seem to have enough time!
Does that sound familiar?
If you are fed up with struggling to complete your coding projects, or you’ve been thinking about competing in a hackathon, but the idea of coding under pressure fills you with dread then it’s time to become a 48-hour coder!
Being a 48-hour coder is like having a superpower 🦸
This superpower lets you skip past procrastination and make your app dreams a reality almost immediately.
In 48 hours, you can have a functioning product for real users to try out and give feedback on - yes it’s possible!
Becoming a 48-hour coder takes the right mindset, skills, and a lot of caffeine (potentially).
In the following sections, I want to explore the skills and techniques needed to go from idea to launched prototype in just two days.
Want to find out how to level up your coding skills and ship projects faster than ever?
Let’s get started…
1. Scope a Manageable Project 🔎
The key to completing a project in 48 hours is ruthlessly scoping it down to the bare essentials.
You need to identify the absolute minimum viable product (MVP) you can build in two days.
Your MVP acts as a proof of concept (POC)—it's the skeleton on which you can later add the muscles and skin of additional features and refinements.
The beauty of the MVP lies in its simplicity.
It will give you a clear, manageable goal to work towards in your coding marathon, and also leaves room for improvement and innovation once the fundamental concept is established and validated.
Start by outlining the core functionality that is key to your idea.
These are the make-or-break features without which your project won't work. Some examples:
- For a social media app, this may be posting photos and newsfeeds
- For a gaming app, the core gameplay and scoring
- For an e-commerce site, browsing products and checking out
Next, cut out any non-essential features that aren't needed in the first version. These could include:
- User profiles beyond basic account creation
- Administrative dashboards
- Complex preference settings
- Integrating third-party APIs and services
Try to limit your MVP to 3-5 core features maximum. If you find yourself building out extra components, take a step back and re-evaluate if they are truly critical for launch.
It also helps to identify any technical debt you may take on, and ensure it won't harm your core functionality.
Some examples of technical debt include:
- Writing quick and dirty code with the intent of refactoring later
- Skipping tests, documentation, and robust error handling
- Hardcoding values you know will require additional work to make customisable
Get clear on the compromises and shortcuts you’ll need to take.
Your only goal here is to scope your project firmly around your MVP so you can focus on executable ideas only.
2. Optimise Your Coding Environment 🧑💻
To code efficiently under tight time deadlines, you need an optimised coding environment ready to go 💨.
Take some time upfront to configure your tools and workspace for maximum productivity.
First, ensure your editor or IDE is tailored for speedy development. For example, with VSCode you can:
- Install extensions that can enhance your coding experience by giving code suggestions, formatting your code, quickly debug code and much more.
- Customise key bindings to commit or deploy with a key combo
- Tweak settings like font size, auto-save, and tab spacing to suit your preferences
Next, have your framework and tech stack ready to hit the ground running.
Choose options suited for rapid development like:
- Development frameworks/libraries like React, Django, Svelte, or Flask for implementing components quickly
- Using a CSS library like Tailwind CSS or Bootstrap over custom styles
- A simple database like SQLite over a complex relational DB
You may also want to create boilerplate templates for your common project configurations so you don't waste time re-setting up in the future.
You may also want to create boilerplate templates for your common project configurations so you don't waste time re-setting up in the future.
Lastly, don’t neglect your workspace environment.
Having enough desk space, an external monitor, and a comfortable chair can help you stay in a state of flow.
The key is to minimise any friction points that might hinder your progress.
3. Plan Your Workflow ✍️
With an MVP scoped and your tools ready, the next step is planning your workflow.
Having an execution plan is essential for working efficiently under tight timelines.
Start by mapping out all the components and steps needed to build your product. These could include:
- Database schema design
- API endpoints
- Key screens and functionality
- External services integrations
- Testing and deployment steps
Break these down into specific tasks that can be tackled individually.
You can capture these ideas using productivity tools like Trello or Notion, and use diagramming tools to visualise them by sketching out simple wireframes or architecture diagrams.
You don't need fancy mockups - even rough boxes and arrows on a whiteboard can map out the structure.
With your plan hashed out, be sure to prioritise what absolutely must get done in the next 48 hours.
Cut out any non-critical tasks. Remember, this first version just needs to prove your idea works on a basic level.
Try to build in time estimates for each task as well.
This will help you gauge feasibility and adjust the scope if needed.
Having even a high-level plan will give you confidence that you can achieve it within the given timeframe.
Of course, sometimes plans will need to be adjusted along the way.
But avoiding flying blindly will allow you to build momentum and regularly complete increments of work faster.
4. Code in Focused Bursts 💥
When coding under tight deadlines, you need to maximise your productivity.
Long, marathon coding sessions are counterproductive. Instead, use methods like the Pomodoro technique to work in short, intensely focused sprints.
Dedicate 25-minute bursts for heads-down coding with zero distractions.
Treat this as the sacred time when you are completely in the flow. Disable notifications, close extra browser tabs, and avoid chat or email.
When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break to recharge.
Get up, stretch, drink some water, or go for a short walk. This mental reset will allow you to bring full energy and attention to the next 25-minute sprint.
Repeat this cycle continuously, aiming for 3-4 pomodoros in a row before taking a longer 15-20 minute break.
This rhythm of intense focus followed by rejuvenation is optimal for retaining high levels of productivity hour after hour.
Taking regular breaks also forces you to consciously stop and evaluate if you are still on track.
At the end of one day, step away completely to replenish for the next day. Make sure to prioritise sleep, nutrition and self-care.
As a 48-hour coder, your brain is your most valuable tool, and it's important to keep it sharp and rested.
5. Stay Motivated 💪
When taking on a gruelling 48-hour coding challenge, keeping motivation high is imperative but not without its setbacks.
Here are some tips to stay driven from start to finish:
Set clear milestones and mini-goals along the way
Having tangible markers of progress will keep you feeling accomplished. Aim to complete a core task or component every few hours.
Crossing these milestones off your list will create momentum.
When you inevitably hit roadblocks, stay positive by focusing on what you have achieved so far.
Debugging and problem-solving are part of the journey.
Celebrate small wins and don't lose sight of the progress you're making 🚀.
Keep the final vision in your mind
Connect regularly to the purpose behind this sprint - is it to build a business, showcase your skills or bring an idea to life?
Visualise the end goal of having a finished product ready to unveil to the world or your peers.
Take occasional breaks to re-energise yourself
Go for a walk, listen to music, and have a healthy snack. Come back feeling refreshed and ready to code.
If you feel motivation lagging, remind yourself why you wanted to take on this challenge.
Revisit what excited you about the project idea initially.
Focus on shipping
Once you have an MVP, you’ve succeeded! 🎉
Gather together any supporters who can cheer you on during this coding challenge.
Having someone await your progress can be uplifting and gives accountability.
Being a 48-hour coder is as much a test of determination, resilience, and spirit as it is of coding skill.
Conclusion
To wrap up, becoming a 48-hour coder takes dedication, planning, and an intense focus on executing an MVP.
But when done right, you unlock the superpower of building your ideas faster than ever before.
By diligently scoping the essential features, setting up an optimal coding environment, working in focused bursts, and pushing through roadblocks, you can go from concept to prototype in a single weekend.
Approach your next coding project with fresh eyes.
Outline the MVP create a roadmap, get your tools ready for speed, and code in intense sprints.
Celebrate small wins while always connecting to your big vision.
While a 48-hour build requires some compromises, the tradeoff is the ability to bring your ideas to life almost immediately.
Use this as a stepping stone to then gather feedback and continue enhancing your product after the initial push.
So the next time you find yourself endlessly dreaming about a new app or business idea, make this the weekend you finally take action.
Recruit an accountability buddy, stock up on coffee, and set a timer for 48 hours of productive coding.
You’ll be amazed at what you can create if you focus your energy and time.
They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they didn’t say anything about a weekend 🤔
From your fellow ever-growing dev,
Cherlock Code
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