Phase 2: Builder's Toolkit

Goal: The learner moves from “I built one thing with help” to “I can build things independently and solve problems when they break.” This is where real competence forms.

What You Can DO After This Phase

• Write effective prompts that produce correct results on first or second attempt
• Manage context deliberately — what to show the AI, what to hide, when to compact
• Navigate any codebase you didn’t write
• Use Git branches and collaborate via GitHub
• Debug issues using AI as a partner
• Apply engineering principles to prevent problems before they happen
• Read technical documentation without freezing

Sections

Section	Topic
2.1 — Prompt Engineering	Five advanced techniques for reliable AI output
2.2 — Context Engineering	Shaping what the AI sees for better results
2.3 — Engineering Principles	Six thinking rules that prevent problems before they happen
2.4 — Project Architecture	Three-layer mental model and structural vocabulary
2.5 — Git Workflow	Branches, pull requests, and collaboration
2.6 — Debugging	Five-step framework for diagnosing and fixing anything
2.7 — Reading Documentation	Five types of docs and how to use each
2.8 — Vocabulary	19 terms to know cold before Phase 3

Previous phase: Phase 1 — First Build | Next phase: Phase 3 — Agent Architect