WhoBuilt

Build an AI Language Tutor You Can Talk To

Oct 5, 2026· 18 min· 11K views·Watch on YouTube

Peter Yang presents a step-by-step guide to building and launching a conversational Japanese tutor with Gemini, Antigravity, Claude Code, and Vercel.

Explore the idea and design the app

Yang starts by asking AI to research the problem and clarify the audience, lesson format, and screens before building anything. He then uses a spec skill to create phone and desktop designs alongside product requirements, and Human Review to edit the spec and give feedback.

Build the first version and fix the experience

Yang asks Antigravity to build the app from the spec and stores the Gemini API key in a local .env file. He switches to Claude Code to test the app, fix microphone selection and lesson-bubble behavior, and improve response speed. Antigravity generates diorama art with Nano Banana for the lessons and coach Yuki.

Improve the lesson content

Yang develops the 10-lesson sequence with AI, revising its order and topics so learners get useful travel phrases early and end on a more positive note. He keeps lesson content in a Markdown file and discusses whether learners need to read Japanese to practice speaking. He says testing and careful iteration are what make the app useful as a language tutor.

Launch and keep iterating

Yang deploys the app to Vercel, resolving outdated library issues along the way. The live app includes a passcode because Gemini API calls cost money. He estimates the work took about three hours, with roughly two spent improving and testing the app and its lessons.

Takeaways

  • Ask AI to research and clarify the user problem before asking it to build.
  • A useful spec can include representative screens, requirements, and the planned APIs.
  • Keep API keys in environment files instead of pasting them into AI chat.
  • Test voice input and lesson flow directly, then iterate on both the interface and content.
  • Plan time for content quality: Yang spent most of his three hours improving and testing the app.

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