Rapid prototyping and user testing are essential; focus on getting a functional prototype out quickly, using tools to create clickable mock-ups or writing throwaway code to test ideas with users, as building a fully functional product before testing can be an expensive mistake.

When creating a prototype, prioritize speed and simplicity over perfection; aim to identify the core value of your product quickly, as you may discard most of your initial code.

During the ideation stage, the goal is to create a prototype quickly to demonstrate to users, even if it doesn't work perfectly.

Prototyping is crucial; instead of spending months on a project before showing it to anyone, build prototypes and share them throughout the design process to gather feedback early.

Once you have a prototype and user interest, the next step is to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that can be launched quickly, ideally within weeks.

Prototyping is an incredibly valuable tool, even if I personally haven't utilized it much. I tend to rush to build and ship my code, but I recognize that taking the time to prototype can lead to better outcomes.

AI prototyping tools can be useful for creating actionable prototypes, but they should be used only after a clear understanding of the idea has been established.

Prototyping allows for rapid testing and feedback, which is crucial for understanding product dynamics before scaling with engineering resources.

To start your dev tools company, focus on building a prototype and talking to users; feedback is essential to refine your idea and product.