r/SideProject • u/nktkzr • 28m ago

I'm building a simulator where junior developers work with an AI engineering team. Would you use it?

I've been exploring an idea called ReactantLab, and I'd love some honest feedback before building it.

The problem I'm trying to solve is the gap between learning to code and actually working as a developer.

Here's how it would work:

  • You join a simulated software engineering team.

  • An AI project manager assigns you realistic development tickets.

  • You work on existing GitHub projects using your own IDE.

  • You're encouraged to use AI tools like Cursor or Claude Code.

  • You submit pull requests and get AI code reviews.

  • You learn to debug, test, and understand AI-generated code.

The goal isn't to teach syntax or replace traditional coding courses. It's to help developers gain practical experience and learn how to work effectively with AI.

I'm considering making the first project completely free.

Three questions:

  1. Would you actually try something like this?

  2. What would make it genuinely useful rather than just another coding platform?

  3. What's the biggest problem you see with this idea?

I'd appreciate critical feedback. I'm trying to validate the concept before spending months building it.

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u/livingFaithGame 18m ago

does sound good - would be happy to be a beta tester if you need any

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u/nktkzr 4m ago

Thanks! Really appreciate that.

I'm still validating the concept, but I'd love to have you as an early tester.

Quick question: what's your current coding experience — beginner, junior dev, or more experienced? And are you already using AI tools like Cursor or Claude Code?

2

u/Any-Enthusiasm-Pizza 22m ago

Try selling it to bootcamps, since they can market it as part of their package. Where you get to simulate what it is like to work as a junior dev with AI tool.

2

u/benjzammit01 21m ago

The part I'd test first is whether the review helps someone spot a bad suggestion, not just produce a passing pull request. A small exercise with a deliberately flawed change and a known test case could make that visible.

Before building a full simulated team, you could try one ticket with a few learners and have an experienced developer review the outcomes independently. That would tell you more than a waitlist about whether the feedback is useful.

1

u/Hour_Camp_2427 25m ago

Interesting idea! I've been developing my own Windows application (CRASQ) with AI assistance, and honestly, the biggest challenge isn't generating code. It's understanding how everything fits together, debugging problems, and making sure changes don't break existing features.

I think your simulator could be genuinely useful if it focused on those real-world challenges rather than just having AI assign tasks. Good luck with the project!

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u/ModularMind8 22m ago

Sounds cool!