How I built my site with no frameworks and Claude Code (PHP, vanilla JavaScript) (ivanmisic.net)

The author recently built a personal website from scratch, utilizing only PHP, vanilla JavaScript, a custom CSS design system, and AI assistance from Claude Code, bypassing traditional frameworks like WordPress or Laravel. The project spanned three weeks and aimed to provide deep insights into the underlying mechanics of web development, along with practical experience in managing AI-assisted coding. Key technical choices included a strict separation of project layers, a custom MVC framework, and comprehensive database migration handling, resulting in a robust and maintainable codebase. This endeavor is significant for the AI/ML community as it highlights the practical applications of AI in software development and the need for developers to grasp foundational technologies before leveraging AI tools. The author reported increased productivity with Claude, achieving complex tasks faster, and emphasized the importance of establishing clear architectural rules to enhance the AI's performance. However, challenges like over-engineering and context drift were noted, suggesting that while AI can expedite coding processes, human oversight remains essential to maintain quality and coherence in development projects.