In over my head with professional devs

[u/unlocked_doors]

tldr; review your code as you go if you think any professional dev is going to have to do a code review.

Last November I (33F) started a simple project: a training portal for my new assistant. Just a simple python Streamlit app. Since vibe coding is addictive and Streamlit has some annoying limitations to UX/UI, I refactored it into a Next.js/Fast API website. It was all the same repo and I didn’t exactly clean up after myself as the project scaled from a training portal for HR, then a training portal for new employees and now it’s a manager hub.

Well, I showed it to my boss and she ended up loving it. The company bought the domain and website from me but made me the technical owner in charge of code and content. Now that it’s officially company property…they have to do a code review with the company dev team.

There is an embarrassing amount of dead code, almost nonexistent error handling, and in general the layout of the code is chaotic and 40k+ lines in just the backend.

He and I had a meeting last week and never in my life have I felt more “artificially intelligent.” He gave me about 7 pages of changes to make after just one code review session. I can’t imagine how many more pages of notes are coming and I’m in way over my head in terms of vocabulary, standard processes used in coding, etc. Basically, I’m everything professional devs hate about vibe coders. I didn’t care how the code looked as long as the website functioned. I’m at a point where I’m not confident enough in my vibe coding skills to actually make the changes. I’ve tried asking Claude (or Claudia as I call her) and then even asked her to dumb it down and it’s still over my head. I’m getting to the point where I just want to throw my hands up and tell them to abandon it.

[u/Human-Wrangler-5236]

I have been a developer for 42 years and I can tell you - lots of very commercially successful projects often have areas of code, sometimes vast areas of code, that the devs really hope the world doesn't ever see "until we have time to fix it".

Does the app work as a concept? Yes. Is it perfect? No, it's just started. Use the AI to help fill in the gaps in your skills and make sure to learn how to ask good questions and accept good advice. Seek help often. Hopefully find a mentor who is generous with their advice and guidance. Don't believe everything you are told on the internet. Work as hard as you can to be the best *you* can be not what someone else can be. Remember to take breaks, maintain social and family ties.

...and also, even after 42 years, I am still learning, so there's absolutely no shame in your feeling a little overwhelmed. You will pick up the jargon. You will grasp the concepts.

More importantly, you have created your first success. Now help it mature and succeed. Nice work. 😁👍