From AI-Scaffolded Code to Polished UI

I set up this repo as mock assessment prep because it had been a while since I last interviewed. I wanted a way to rehearse the kind of pace interviews often demand: get something working quickly, make sure it holds up in code, and then take the extra step to improve the visual quality.

For this one, I used a lightweight React stack, Vite + TypeScript + Vitest, to keep the work fast and focused.

1. Start with AI-assisted scaffolding

AI handled the initial structure so I could spend less time on setup and more time on actual product thinking:

• Vite React TypeScript setup
• Base component scaffolding
• Vitest-ready testing setup
• Lint and build scripts for a clean baseline

2. Build the first version in code

I like to get the UI into working components as early as possible instead of starting with polished static mockups. That makes it easier to test flows, interactions, and logic while the ideas are still flexible.

3. Polish in pencil.dev

Once the core UX works, pencil.dev becomes the place to refine the interface and bring more care to the visual layer:

• Layout and spacing
• Typography and hierarchy
• Consistent component styling

Why this workflow

This workflow feels especially useful for interview prep because it mirrors the real constraint: move fast, prove functionality, and then show that you care about the final layer of polish too.

AI for speed, code for validation, pencil.dev for polish.