8.6: Advanced AI Development Workflows

Overview

Ready to level up? This lesson covers advanced AI-assisted development workflows, including converting static sites to Vue.js, building component-based architectures, and implementing modern web application features.

Converting Static Sites to Vue.js

When to Use Vue.js

Consider Vue.js when you need:

• Multiple pages with shared components
• Complex interactive features
• State management across components
• Modern development experience
• Enhanced performance

Conversion Strategy Prompt

Help me convert my static HTML website to a Vue.js application.

Current project:
- Technology: Static HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Pages: [List pages]
- Interactive features: [List features]
- File structure: [Describe]

Goals:
- Modern component-based architecture
- Improved maintainability
- Enhanced user experience
- Keep existing design and functionality

Please provide:

1. Migration Strategy
   - Step-by-step conversion plan
   - What to convert first
   - How to maintain functionality
   - Testing at each stage

2. Vue Project Setup
   - Vite configuration
   - Folder structure
   - Dependencies needed
   - Build commands

3. Component Architecture
   - How to break down pages into components
   - Component hierarchy
   - Props and state management
   - Routing strategy

4. Conversion Process
   - Converting HTML to Vue templates
   - Adapting CSS (scoped styles)
   - Refactoring JavaScript to Vue methods
   - Setting up Vue Router

Guide me through this step-by-step with code examples.

Building Component-Based Architecture

Creating Vue Components with AI

Component Creation Prompt:

Create a Vue 3 component for [component name].

Purpose: [What this component does]

Props:
- [prop1]: [type] - [description]
- [prop2]: [type] - [description]

Features:
- [Feature 1]
- [Feature 2]
- [Feature 3]

Styling:
- Use scoped styles
- Match design: [describe style]
- Responsive behavior

Please provide:
1. Complete component code (Composition API)
2. Props and emits definitions
3. Scoped CSS
4. Usage example
5. Explanation of key features

Example - Project Card Component:

Create a Vue 3 component for a project card.

Purpose: Display project information in a card format on portfolio page

Props:
- title: String - Project name
- description: String - Brief project description
- imageUrl: String - Project screenshot URL
- technologies: Array - List of tech used (e.g., ['HTML', 'CSS', 'Vue.js'])
- liveUrl: String - Link to live project
- githubUrl: String - Link to GitHub repo

Features:
- Hover effect reveals project details
- Clicking card opens project details modal
- Technology tags displayed as badges
- Responsive card grid layout
- Image lazy loading

Styling:
- Use scoped styles
- Modern card design with subtle shadow
- Accent color: #00ff88
- Smooth transitions on hover

Please provide:
1. Complete component code using Composition API
2. Props validation with TypeScript-style definitions
3. Scoped CSS with hover animations
4. Usage example in parent component
5. Explanation of reactivity and events

State Management with AI

Pinia Store Setup

State Management Prompt:

Help me set up state management for my Vue.js application using Pinia.

Application needs:
- [State requirement 1]
- [State requirement 2]
- [State requirement 3]

Example: Shopping cart that tracks items, quantities, and total

Please provide:

1. Pinia Store Setup
   - Installation and configuration
   - Store structure
   - State, getters, actions

2. Component Integration
   - How to use store in components
   - Accessing state
   - Calling actions
   - Using getters

3. Best Practices
   - When to use state vs props
   - Store organization
   - Persistence strategy (localStorage)

4. Code Examples
   - Complete store file
   - Component usage examples
   - Testing the store

Explain reactivity and why Pinia over Vuex.

Advanced Features with AI

Implementing Complex Interactions

Feature Prompt Template:

Implement [feature name] in my Vue.js application.

Current setup:
- Vue 3 with Composition API
- Vite build tool
- [Other relevant tech]

Feature requirements:
- [Requirement 1]
- [Requirement 2]
- [Requirement 3]

Technical considerations:
- Performance optimization
- Accessibility
- Mobile responsiveness
- Browser compatibility

Please provide:
1. Complete implementation code
2. Component structure if multiple components
3. Composables if logic is reusable
4. Testing approach
5. Performance considerations
6. Step-by-step integration guide

Include explanations of Vue 3 features used (refs, computed, watch, etc.).

Example - Infinite Scroll:

Implement infinite scroll for my Vue.js project gallery.

Current setup:
- Vue 3 with Composition API
- Vite build tool
- Projects displayed in grid layout

Feature requirements:
- Load 9 projects initially
- Load 6 more when user scrolls near bottom
- Show loading indicator while fetching
- Detect when all projects are loaded
- Smooth scroll experience
- Works on mobile

Technical considerations:
- Use Intersection Observer API
- Debounce scroll events
- Handle loading/error states
- Maintain scroll position on route changes
- Accessible (announce new content to screen readers)

Please provide:
1. Vue composable for infinite scroll logic
2. Component implementation
3. Loading state management
4. Intersection Observer setup
5. Accessibility enhancements
6. Performance optimization tips

Explain how Vue's reactivity makes this easier than vanilla JS.

API Integration with AI

Fetching and Managing Data

API Integration Prompt:

Help me integrate an API into my Vue.js application.

API details:
- Endpoint: [URL or type of API]
- Data: [What data it returns]
- Authentication: [If needed]

Requirements:
- Fetch data on component mount
- Display loading state
- Handle errors gracefully
- Cache data when appropriate
- Refresh data on demand

Please provide:

1. API Service Setup
   - Create API service file
   - Error handling
   - Request/response interceptors

2. Composable for Data Fetching
   - Reusable fetch logic
   - Loading/error states
   - Caching strategy

3. Component Integration
   - Using the composable
   - Displaying data
   - Handling states

4. Error Handling UI
   - User-friendly error messages
   - Retry functionality
   - Fallback content

Code examples using Vue 3 Composition API and modern fetch/async-await.

Routing with Vue Router

Multi-Page Navigation

Router Setup Prompt:

Set up Vue Router for my multi-page Vue.js application.

Pages needed:
- Home (/)
- About (/about)
- Projects (/projects)
- Project Detail (/projects/:id)
- Contact (/contact)

Requirements:
- Smooth page transitions
- Navigation guards (protect routes if needed)
- Active link highlighting
- Scroll to top on route change
- 404 page for invalid routes
- SEO-friendly URLs

Please provide:

1. Router Configuration
   - Installation and setup
   - Route definitions
   - Navigation guards
   - Scroll behavior

2. Navigation Component
   - Router-link usage
   - Active class styling
   - Mobile menu integration

3. Page Transitions
   - Smooth transitions between routes
   - Loading states
   - Animation approach

4. Best Practices
   - Route organization
   - Lazy loading routes
   - Route meta fields

Complete code with explanations of Vue Router concepts.

Build and Deploy Vue.js Apps

Production Build Optimization

Build Optimization Prompt:

Help me optimize my Vue.js application for production deployment.

Current setup:
- Vue 3 + Vite
- [Number] components
- [Number] routes
- Assets: [images, fonts, etc.]

Please provide optimization guidance for:

1. Build Configuration
   - Vite production settings
   - Environment variables
   - Code splitting strategy
   - Asset optimization

2. Performance Optimization
   - Lazy loading components
   - Tree shaking unused code
   - Minification settings
   - Compression (gzip/brotli)

3. Asset Management
   - Image optimization
   - Font loading strategy
   - CSS optimization
   - PWA considerations (optional)

4. Deployment Strategy
   - Build commands
   - Deployment to Netlify/Vercel
   - Environment configuration
   - Post-deployment checklist

5. Monitoring
   - Performance metrics to track
   - Error tracking setup
   - Analytics integration

Provide specific vite.config.js settings and npm scripts.

Practical Exercise: Build a Vue.js Feature

Task: Convert one page of your static site to Vue.js OR build a new Vue component

Option A: Conversion

1. Choose simplest page (e.g., About page)
2. Set up Vue 3 project with Vite
3. Convert HTML to Vue template
4. Refactor CSS to scoped styles
5. Test functionality

Option B: New Component

1. Create reusable component (e.g., ProjectCard, ContactForm)
2. Define props and events
3. Add scoped styling
4. Test with sample data
5. Document usage

Deliverables:

• Working Vue component(s)
• Documentation of what you learned
• Comparison with static HTML approach

When NOT to Use Advanced Frameworks

Keep It Simple When:

• ❌ Single-page static site with minimal interactivity
• ❌ Very short deadline (< 1 week)
• ❌ You're still learning HTML/CSS/JS basics
• ❌ Project requirements are very simple
• ❌ No need for component reusability

Use Vue.js When:

• ✅ Multiple pages with shared components
• ✅ Complex state management needed
• ✅ Heavy user interaction
• ✅ You want modern development experience
• ✅ Planning to scale the project later

Tips for Advanced AI Development

DO:

✅ Start simple - master basics before advanced features ✅ Learn Vue fundamentals - don't rely only on AI ✅ Read Vue docs - understand core concepts ✅ Test incrementally - verify each feature works ✅ Ask for explanations - understand Vue reactivity ✅ Use TypeScript for better AI suggestions (optional)

DON'T:

❌ Jump to frameworks without HTML/CSS/JS foundation ❌ Copy complex code without understanding ❌ Over-engineer simple projects ❌ Skip Vue documentation - AI supplements, doesn't replace learning ❌ Use every feature - only what you need

Next Lesson Preview

In Lesson 8.7: Ethical AI Usage & Best Practices, you'll learn:

• Responsible AI usage guidelines
• Preparing for project presentations
• Understanding vs. copy-pasting
• Common pitfalls to avoid
• Professional development practices

Key Takeaways

Related Resources:

• Lesson 8.5: Debugging and Optimization
• Lesson 8.7: Ethical AI Usage
• Phase 7: Vue.js Lessons
• Vue.js Official Docs