30-Day Progression Plan
A concrete path from wherever you are to augmented developer.
Week 1: Foundations
Focus: Build (or rebuild) core skills without heavy AI reliance.
| Day | Activity | AI Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Build simple feature WITHOUT AI | 0% |
| 3 | Review: Explain your code out loud | 0% |
| 4-5 | Refactor with AI review (not generation) | 20% |
| 6 | Debug issue without AI | 0% |
| 7 | Rest/reflection | N/A |
Success criteria: Can explain every line you wrote.
Week 2: Understanding
Focus: Use AI, but force understanding.
| Day | Activity | AI Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Ask AI to generate, explain EVERY line | 40% |
| 3 | Write code, AI reviews, you fix | 30% |
| 4-5 | AI explains new concept, you implement | 40% |
| 6 | Quiz yourself on week's concepts | 10% |
| 7 | Rest/reflection | N/A |
Success criteria: Can modify AI-generated code confidently.
Week 3: Critical Usage
Focus: Challenge AI suggestions, find their limits.
| Day | Activity | AI Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Ask for multiple approaches, choose best | 60% |
| 3 | Find bugs in AI-generated code | 50% |
| 4-5 | Complex feature with AI assistance | 60% |
| 6 | Explain entire feature to rubber duck | 10% |
| 7 | Rest/reflection | N/A |
Success criteria: Can identify when AI is wrong.
Week 4: Augmented
Focus: Full productivity with maintained understanding.
| Day | Activity | AI Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Real project work with UVAL protocol | 70% |
| 6 | Review: What did you learn this week? | 10% |
| 7 | Plan next learning goals | N/A |
Success criteria: Fast AND you understand everything.