I used AI to develop a WeChat Mini Program

‍‌​I used AI to develop A WeChat Mini Program.

I’d heard about CodeBuddy before but never really tried it—until today.
CodeBuddy is Tencent’s next-generation AI-powered coding assistant and integrated development environment (IDE). It leverages natural language processing, machine learning, and knowledge graphs to provide intelligent support across the entire development lifecycle—from requirement analysis to deployment.

Key features include:

• Intelligent Requirement Analysis: Simply describe your product idea in plain English, and the AI automatically generates a structured Product Requirements Document (PRD).

• AI-Powered UI Design: Converts natural language descriptions or hand-drawn sketches into high-fidelity design mockups.

• One-CLIck code generation from Designs: Built-in Figma-like functionality that directly transforms design mockups into maintainable front-end and back-end code.

• Smart Coding Assistant: Offers real-time code completion, multi-file code generation, and in-line conversational debugging.

Most importantly, as part of Tencent’s ecosystem, it offers native support for WeChat Mini Program development.

Today, I decided to give it a try. I installed the CodeBuddy plugin in PyCharm and logged in by scanning a QR code with WeChat—though I’m not sure how much free quota I have. I gave it an initial instruction, and here’s what it produced:

✅ Implemented Features  

1. Login Page – UI for SMS verification code login and WeChat login

2. Home Page – Carousel banners, trending recommendations, quick-access buttons, and category navigation

3. Product Listing Page – Category filtering, grid layout, and pull-up-to-load-more functionality

4. Product Detail Page – Image carousel, SKU selection, quantity adjustment, and user reviews

5. Shopping Cart – Product list, quantity management, and real-time price calculation

6. Profile Page ("Me") – User info display, order entry points, and feature menu

🚀 Steps to Run in the Simulator

1. Install WeChat DevTools
   Download link: https://developers.weixin.qq.com/miniprogram/dev/devtools/download.html

2. Import the Project

• Open WeChat DevTools

• Click “Import Project”

• Set Project Directory to: c:/Users/ming.xie/PycharmProjects/app/coffee-miniprogram

• Select AppID: Choose “Test ID” (touristappid)

• Click “Import”

3. Add Icon Files (Important!)
   To display the bottom tab bar, place the following icons in the images folder:

   Recommended specs: 81×81 pixels, PNG format.
   Quick workaround: If you don’t have icons, use placeholder images or update the icon paths in app.json to valid relative paths.

• home.png / home-active.png — Home

• goods.png / goods-active.png — Products

• cart.png / cart-active.png — Cart

• profile.png / profile-active.png — Me

4. Compile and Run

• Click the “Compile” button in the toolbar

• View the app in the simulator on the left

• Navigate between pages to test the flow

5. Test Core Functions

1. The app opens to the login screen

2. Enter any 11-digit phone number and click “Get Verification Code”

3. Enter any 6-digit code, accept the terms, and click “Login”

4. Upon successful login, you’ll be redirected to the home page

5. Browse products, view details, add items to cart, etc.

I followed these instructions, installed WeChat DevTools, ran the project—and it worked perfectly. Yet, strangely, I felt no joy.

The barrier to programming has dropped dramatically. The level of automation is so high that human developers feel increasingly replaceable.

And honestly? That’s starting to worry me.