The Development Loop
This is the execution loop — steps 5-7 of the full 7-Step Process. Use this once you've built context (steps 1-4).
This loop assumes you've already: loaded user rules, indexed the codebase, read specific files, and researched documentation. If you haven't, start with The 7-Step Process.
The Execution Loop
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 5. WRITE — Code + tests together │
│ ↓ │
│ 6. TEST — Run tests, compile, lint │
│ ↓ │
│ 7. FIX — Read logs, fix issues │
│ ↓ │
│ ↺ Loop until passing │
│ ↓ │
│ ✅ COMMIT when working │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘Step 5: Write Code + Tests
Write implementation AND tests together. Never write code without a test.
Bad: "Add authentication"
Good: "Add email/password auth using NextAuth.js. Use the existing User model. Write the implementation AND test file together. Follow the pattern in /app/api for route handlers."
Step 6: Test
Run everything. Catch errors before they become commits.
npm run test # Run tests
npm run build # Compile
npm run lint # Check styleStep 7: Fix (The Oneshot Way)
When tests fail, use the Oneshot Paradigm:
❌ DON'T: "Fix this error" → "Still broken" → "Try this" → Chaos
✅ DO: Go back to original prompt + error log + "Avoid X"Example:
"Implement the login flow.
Previous attempt failed with:
- Error: Cannot read property 'user' of undefined
- The session object structure is { data: { user } } not { user }
Requirements:
- Handle the actual session structure
- Add null checks
- Return graceful error on missing session"Commit
Only commit when tests pass:
git add .
git commit -m "Add user authentication"Loop Speed Over Time
| Experience | Loop Speed |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Slow, lots of refinement |
| Month 1 | Finding patterns |
| Month 3 | 2-3x productivity |
| Month 6 | AI becomes invisible |
When to Break the Loop
- AI keeps failing → Use Tornado Building: Research + Logs + Tests
- Context polluted → Start a new chat with fresh context
- Tiny change → Just type it yourself
- Fundamental misunderstanding → Check your Horizon: what context did you miss?
For the full process including context-building, see The 7-Step Process →