How a 91-year-old vibe coded a complex event management system using Claude and Replit | John Blackman

06/23/25
Source: Lenny’s Newsletter by Claire Vo. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of How a 91-Year-Old Built a Church Event App Using Claude and Replit

**John Blackman**, a 91-year-old retired electrical engineer, successfully developed a complex volunteer management app with **no prior coding experience** using AI tools like **Claude** and **Replit**. The app enables event creation, volunteer recruitment, and includes unique features such as free oil change organization via **API integrations**. His approach highlights how embracing AI without preconceived notions accelerates development while keeping costs under **$350**.

Optimixed’s Overview: Empowering Non-Developers to Build Functional Apps with AI Tools

Embracing AI to Democratize Software Development

John Blackman’s story exemplifies how modern AI-powered platforms can enable individuals without traditional programming backgrounds to create impactful software solutions. Leveraging tools like Claude for generating detailed user stories and requirements, paired with Replit’s coding environment, John crafted an enterprise-ready application tailored for his church’s community service.

Key Features and Implementation Highlights

  • Multi-tenant architecture: Supports system-wide and local church administrators with role-based access control for efficient event oversight.
  • Impact Passport: Personalized digital documentation for event participants to track their involvement and services received.
  • Third-party API integration: Automated vehicle identification number (VIN) lookups facilitate organizing free oil change events seamlessly.
  • Volunteer management: Includes automated report generation and volunteer name tag creation to streamline operations.
  • QR code registration: Simplifies participant check-ins and enhances user experience.

Lessons Learned and Best Practices

John’s experience underscores the value of approaching AI-assisted development without rigid expectations of “correct” implementation, allowing iterative improvements and rapid prototyping. Troubleshooting AI-generated code “rabbit trails” and transitioning from development to production posed challenges that he overcame through practical experimentation and problem-solving.

Cost-Effective and Impactful Development

With a development cost below $350 and utilizing accessible AI tools, John’s project demonstrates how powerful software solutions can be built affordably and efficiently. The church community has embraced the app, validating the potential of AI-driven development to empower diverse users and foster meaningful social impact.