A Simple Workflow That Actually Ships

Ideas are easy. Shipping is hard. Here's the loop I keep coming back to.

1. Understand

Before touching code, write one sentence: what problem is this solving, and what does a win look like? If you can't, you're not ready to build yet.

2. Design

Map the flow on paper or in a note. Screens, steps, data. Ten minutes here saves ten hours later.

3. Build

Now open the editor. Build the smallest version that works end to end, then improve. console.log is your friend.

// start ugly, then refine
function greet(name) {
  return `Hi ${name}, let's ship this.`;
}

4. Launch & improve

Put it live before it's perfect. Real feedback beats imagined polish. Then iterate.

That's it. Four steps, on repeat. The magic isn't the tools — it's finishing.