I'm writing a book about learning web development in the age of AI — specifically, how to use tools like Claude and GitHub Copilot to learn PHP and Laravel faster, without losing the understanding that makes you a real developer.
I'm sharing the first three chapters here for free. They cover the mindset shift that makes AI a genuine learning tool rather than a crutch, how to set up your development environment with AI's help, and — most importantly — how to read code you didn't write.
If you find them useful, the full book is available here →. It's a work in progress, and everyone who buys now gets all future chapters included.
Enjoy.
Why understanding still matters in the age of AI — the brilliant intern analogy, the Generate→Read→Modify→Break→Fix learning loop, and why PHP and Laravel are the ideal starting point.
Install PHP, Composer, Node.js, and Laravel — and learn how to use AI to troubleshoot when things go wrong. Two paths: Laravel Herd for beginners, or manual installation for full control.
Trace a Laravel request from browser to HTML. Learn the four-question technique for approaching any unfamiliar code, how to evaluate AI-generated code, and why reading before running is the habit that separates fast learners from slow ones.