🎓 The graduation path

A common path builders recommend on X: prototype fast in a browser builder, then move to a real coding agent once the app gets serious.

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Step 1: Prototype in Lovable or Bolt

Lovable (Free (5 credits/day); paid plans check site) is best if you want Supabase login and a database built in. Bolt (Free (1M tokens/mo); Pro $25/mo; Teams $30/member) is fastest for a clickable prototype. See Lovable vs Bolt vs v0.

Step 2: Know when to graduate

Fixes keep breaking other parts of the app.
You're burning credits on the same bug.
You need custom backend logic, tests, or integrations.
Paying users depend on it.

Step 3: Export your code

Push the project to GitHub (both tools support this), then clone it locally. Your Supabase database stays where it is.

Step 4: Pick your next tool

Cursor if you want an editor you can see and click around in. Claude Code if you're comfortable in a terminal and want big multi-file changes. Budget pick: GitHub Copilot ($10/mo). See the Coding Agents bracket.

Step 5: First prompts after graduating

Ask the agent to explain the codebase, add tests for the main flows, and then clean up duplicated code before adding features.