From Idea to MVP: Building a Side Project in JavaScript

Turning an idea into a working MVP quickly requires discipline, the right scope, and a repeatable template. This post provides a compact blueprint for building side projects in JavaScript that you can launch within a long weekend.

Start with the riskiest assumption

Identify what could make your idea fail — user value, distribution, or technical complexity — and design an experiment to test that assumption cheaply before building features that don’t matter.

Minimal tech stack

• Frontend: React or SvelteKit for fast iteration
• Backend: Serverless functions or a small Node API
• Database: SQLite for prototype or Fauna/Upstash for serverless
• Auth: Magic.link or OAuth providers

Feature hygiene

Limit features to the core value proposition. Use feature flags to hide unfinished parts and iterate based on user feedback.

Rapid design

Use component libraries and templates to avoid design overhead. A simple, responsive UI with clear CTAs is enough for validating demand.

Launch checklist

• Deploy to a public URL and set up analytics
• Prepare a simple onboarding flow
• Set up a feedback channel (email, Discord, or a form)

Iterate with data

Use qualitative feedback and a few quantitative metrics to decide what to build next. Don't rely on vanity metrics; focus on activation, retention, and engagement.

Final thought: The fastest path to a successful side project is shipping early, learning quickly, and being merciless about scope.