Introduction

For this project, you get to define it yourself! Have you had an app, game or other project idea that you've been wanting to build? Now is your chance to turn it into a reality!

Over the next two weeks we will work together to create a solid project plan for how to turn your idea into a reality.

Pick something you are genuinely interested in and want to see in the world. Sports is welcome, but optional.

What you will leave class with

• A project folder on your computer
• A project idea you care about
• An initial project plan

⚡ Part 1: Quick Start

Set up your planning workspace in Cursor

1. Create a folder on your computer called my-project-plan.
2. Open it in Cursor using File > Open Folder.
3. Click the the New File button and create your plan file using this naming format:
   • lastname-firstname-project.plan.md
   • For example, if your name is John Doe, your plan file should be called doe-john-project.plan.md

A few notes on the plan file

• .md means a Markdown file (plain text with headings/lists).
• Markdown is a plain text document that programmers (and AI agents) use to write and share documents.
• It's like Google Docs for nerds.

📄 Part 2: Build Your Plan Template

With your planning file open, do the following:

• Add a title to your document using the # symbol (this makes a heading)

# My Project Plan

Next, we'll add a simple description of your project.

## Description

This is a simple description of my project.

Now, we'll start on a list of ideas for what your project will do.

## Ideas

- Idea 1
- Idea 2
- Idea 3

This is just a template we can use to setup our document. Now its time to actually plan!

💡 Part 3: Plan Your Project

Take a few minutes to think about a problem in the world (or in your life) that technology can solve. It doesn't have to be a big or serious issue, it could be something small, silly, or fun.

Think small: pick an idea you could realistically build in a week or two of casual work. You can always add more later, but start with the simplest version that actually works.

Write down your project ideas in the Ideas section of your plan.

Collaborate with your agent

Open the Cursor Agent (or ChatGPT) and ask it for advice on your project ideas or to help you brainstorm ideas. Make sure you are using Ask mode in Cursor otherwise it might try to do the whole plan for you which defeats the purpose.

Collaborate with your classmates

Once you have a few solid ideas, share them with your classmates. Get their feedback and iterate on what you have.

🎤 Part 4: Prepare your Elevator Pitch

Pick your favorite idea and write an elevator pitch for it. An elevator pitch is a short 2-3 sentence description of your idea. It's meant to grab attention and describe the problem you're solving clearly.

Here's a template to get you started:

"I am building ___ for ___ who struggles with ___."

Add a new section to your plan file called Elevator Pitch and write yours there.

## Elevator Pitch

I am building ... for ... who struggles with ...

Work on drafting your elevator pitch until you are happy with it. Ask your agent and your classmates for feedback.

🚀 Part 5: Submit your plan

Even if you're not 100% finished, submit your plan anyway. We will work on it more next week!