Building with Memex 101
What is Vibe Coding?
Vibe coding is a new way to build software that doesn't require you to write code. Instead, you describe what you want to build in natural language, and an AI assistant (like Memex) turns your ideas into reality. It's called "vibe coding" because you're communicating the vibe or essence of what you want to create, rather than writing technical instructions.
With Memex, you can build anything from sophisticated web applications to complex data dashboards, from feature-rich mobile apps to enterprise-grade automation tools, all through conversation. The complexity and scale of what you can create is limited only by your imagination, not by your technical knowledge.
Why Memex for Vibe Coding?
Memex is an AI Builder for your desktop that makes vibe coding accessible to everyone. Here's why it's perfect for builders of all experience levels:
Works on your computer: Memex runs locally on your machine, giving you access to your files and resources
Supports any technology: Build with any programming language or framework, from simple websites to complex systems
Complete ownership: Everything you create belongs to you
No coding required: Just describe what you want in plain language
Professional-grade output: Create production-ready applications that can scale with your needs
Getting the Most Out of Memex: Key Concepts
While Memex can handle the technical details for you, understanding a few key concepts will help you get better results. Let's explore these concepts with practical examples.
1. Providing Good Context
Why it matters: The more context you provide, the better Memex understands what you're trying to build, allowing it to create more sophisticated and tailored solutions.
Example: Poor Context
This gives Memex very little to work with. What kind of website? What features should it have? What should it look like?
Example: Good Context
This gives Memex specific details about what you want, making it easier to build something that matches your vision and includes all the advanced features you need.
2. Breaking Down Projects into Steps
Why it matters: Even highly complex projects are easier to manage when broken into smaller steps, allowing for more precise control and refinement.
Example: One Big Request
This is overwhelming and makes it hard to focus on each component, potentially missing important details.
Example: Step-by-Step Approach
This approach allows you to review and refine each component before moving to the next, ensuring each part meets your exact requirements.
3. Using Version Control (Git)
Why it matters: Version control helps you track changes, collaborate with others, and recover from mistakes—essential for both small and large-scale projects. When working with AI tools like Memex, version control becomes even more important because, while incredibly powerful, AI can sometimes make unexpected changes or misinterpret requirements. Having a safety net that lets you revert to a working state is invaluable.
What is Git?
Git is a powerful tool that keeps track of changes to your project files over time. Think of it like a time machine for your project—you can see previous versions and go back if needed. For complex projects, it's invaluable for managing different features and collaborating with others.
Tip: While Memex does include a "restore" feature in its UI that allows you to revert files to previous states, Git provides more comprehensive version control capabilities. The Memex restore feature is great for quick fixes, but Git is recommended for serious projects as it offers branching, detailed history, and collaboration features.
Setting Up Git for Your Project
Install Git: If you don't have Git installed, ask Memex to help you install it:
Initialize Git in your project:
Make regular commits (saves of your progress):
Connecting to GitHub (Optional)
GitHub is a platform where you can store your Git repositories online. To set up a GitHub connection:
Ask Memex to help you connect your local project to GitHub:
For collaborative projects, you can also ask Memex to help with branches and pull requests:
4. Building Locally vs. Deploying
Why it matters: While building locally lets you test your project on your computer, deploying makes it available to others online or in production environments.
What is Deployment?
Deployment is the process of making your application available on the internet or other production environments so others can access it. It's like moving your project from your personal computer to a public or enterprise space.
When to Deploy
Build locally when: You're developing and testing your application, or if it's just for personal use on your computer
Deploy when: You want others to access your application online, you need to use online services, or you're ready to launch your product
How to Deploy with Memex
When you're ready to share your project with the world:
Memex can guide you through deploying to platforms like:
Vercel or Netlify for websites and web applications
AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for enterprise applications
Heroku or Railway for web services
Docker containers for microservices
App stores for mobile apps
5. Managing Secrets and Credentials
Why it matters: Keeping sensitive information secure is crucial for protecting your accounts, data, and users—especially in production environments.
What are Secrets?
Secrets are sensitive pieces of information like:
API keys (special codes that let your application access other services)
Database passwords and connection strings
User account credentials
Authentication tokens
Encryption keys
How to Handle Secrets in Memex
Never hardcode secrets in your project files:
Use Memex's built-in secrets management:
Use environment variables for deployment:
For enterprise applications, consider using dedicated secrets management services:
6. Working with Projects in Memex
Why it matters: Organizing your work into projects helps you manage multiple initiatives and keeps related files together.
What are Projects in Memex?
Projects in Memex are dedicated workspaces for your different applications or initiatives. Each project has its own files, settings, and context, making it easier to switch between different things you're building.
Creating and Managing Projects
Create a new project:
Switch between projects:
You can use the project selector in the Memex interface to switch between different projects you're working on.
Organize project files:
Project-specific settings:
Each project can have its own configuration, including Rules for AI and environment settings.
7. Using Custom Instructions
Why it matters: Custom instructions help Memex understand your preferences and requirements, making your vibe coding experience more efficient and personalized.
What are Custom Instructions?
Custom instructions are specific guidelines you provide to Memex about how you want it to work with you. They can include your preferences for coding style, communication, project structure, or any other aspects of your workflow.
Setting Up Custom Instructions
To set up custom instructions in Memex:
Click the gear icon in the Memex interface
Navigate to the Custom Instructions section
Enter your instructions in the provided field
Example Custom Instructions
Putting It All Together: A Data Analytics Dashboard Example
Let's walk through a project to see these concepts in action:
Building a Data Analytics Dashboard
Start with good context:
Break it down into steps:
Set up version control:
Handle secrets properly:
Consider deployment:
Set up custom instructions:
Even More Techniques for Vibe Coding
Iterative Refinement
Don't expect perfection on the first try. Start with a basic version and refine:
Combining Multiple Technologies
Memex can help you build projects that use multiple technologies together:
Extending Existing Projects
You can use Memex to add features to projects you've already started:
Learning While Building
Ask Memex to explain concepts as you go:
Common Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: Memex Isn't Building What I Want
Solution: Provide more specific details about what you want, including:
Visual design preferences with examples
Specific features and functionality with use cases
Technical requirements and constraints
Examples of similar applications you like
Challenge: My Project Is Getting Too Complex
Solution:
Break it down into smaller, manageable components
Create a project roadmap with clear milestones
Use Git branches to work on different features separately
Consider a microservices architecture for very large projects
Challenge: I Need to Make Changes to Something Memex Built
Solution: Be specific about what you want to change and why:
Challenge: I Need to Understand the Architecture
Solution: Ask Memex to explain the system architecture:
Next Steps
Now that you understand the fundamentals of vibe coding with Memex, you're ready to start building! Here are some project ideas to challenge yourself:
A content management system for your business
A custom CRM tailored to your specific workflow
A data visualization tool that connects to your company's data sources
An AI-powered recommendation engine for your products
A mobile app that syncs with your web service
An IoT dashboard for monitoring smart devices
Remember, with vibe coding, the complexity of what you can build is limited only by your imagination, not your technical skills. Memex handles the technical implementation while you focus on your vision.
Happy building!
Last updated