🚀 From Concept to MVP: How I Built a Medical Records App in Two Days (Part-Time) Using AI Pair-Programming

As a passionate AI-powered workflows developer, I successfully built a medical records system using MongoDB, Express, React, and Node (MERN stack) in just two days, leveraging AI tools like Claude AI and Manus. This application tracks doctor-patient relationships and visit/diagnostic histories. Here's the playbook that made it possible:

1. Architecture Visualization

I began by prompting Claude AI to generate an ER diagram modeling healthcare entities such as doctors, patients, visits, and diagnoses. Using tools like MermaidChart for visualization proved invaluable for creating diagrams that stakeholders could easily understand. Key takeaway: Application architecture knowledge remains critical even with AI assistance.

2. User Story Engineering

By feeding Claude textbook MERN examples for UI/UX references, I crafted feature specs in user story format (e.g., "As a doctor, I want to view patient visit histories. As a patient, I will visit doctor...."). This structured approach helped generate 80% of the initial codebase efficiently.

3. Overcoming AI Limits

When hitting token limits with Claude AI, I transitioned to Manus. Its "prompt chaining" feature seamlessly continued development without losing context. Upgrading to Manus's Starter plan was worth it for troubleshooting support during crucial moments.

4. AI-Powered Documentation

Manus auto-generated deployment documentation and a README containing debugging insights. With minor tweaks, the system successfully writes data to MongoDB—a testament to how AI copilots streamline full-stack development.

Final Remarks: Intention Over Instructions

While low-code/no-code platforms and AI tools accelerate development, they are not a substitute for understanding application architecture or focusing on your project's value proposition. Tools evolve rapidly, but your why—the core intention driving your solution—remains timeless.

The Real Win: This workflow allowed me to focus on business logic rather than boilerplate code. AI copilots are force multipliers but require human oversight to align technical execution with strategic goals.

👉 Before you code, hear my ode: "It's not the workflow but the WHY that matters!" Join me at Ping-AI.com, where no-code wizards and code poets converge to turn intentions into impactful solutions.

Ask yourself:  What human superpower can't be automated? That’s your true stack.