Student Bootcamp: Build a Portfolio App in 7 Days Using Micro Apps and LLMs

Build a portfolio-worthy micro app in 7 days — with LLMs, grading rubrics, and employer outcomes

Struggling to turn small projects into job- or college-ready portfolio pieces? This 7-day bootcamp curriculum transforms micro app experiments into employer-facing showcase items, complete with daily milestones, LLM-driven productivity recipes, tutor-coaching checkpoints, and clear grading rubrics recruiters can trust.

Why this matters in 2026

“guided learning” features from major vendors have made it feasible for non-specialists to ship functioning web or mobile micro apps quickly. Employers increasingly ask for impact-oriented portfolio pieces rather than theoretical projects. That means a one-week micro app with measurable outcomes, tests, a demo, and a crisp case study can beat months-old coursework.

Bootcamp at a glance: Goals, outcomes and who it's for

Bootcamp length: 7 days intensive (5–10 hours/day recommended for students; part-time variants exist)

Target learners: students, career changers, teachers turning lessons into projects, and lifelong learners who need fast portfolio wins

Main technical approach: micro app architecture + LLM assistance (code generation, testing, docs, UX copy)

Primary deliverables: GitHub repo with CI, README, deployed demo, 2-minute video walkthrough, one-page case study, and a tutor-reviewed scorecard

What employers actually want (use these as your acceptance criteria)

1. Clarity of problem and audience: Can you explain the user need in one sentence?
2. Working prototype: Live demo or video demonstrating all core flows.
3. Technical soundness: Maintainable code, tests, and basic CI.
4. Data-driven decisions: Metrics, mock analytics, or A/B outcomes showing thinking about impact.
5. Communication: README, one-page case study, and a 2-minute pitch video.

The 7-day bootcamp schedule (daily milestones & tutor checkpoints)

Structure each day around a micro-sprint: plan, build, test, and reflect. Tutors run 30–60 minute live coaching sessions at the end of Days 1, 3, and 6, plus a final review on Day 7.

Day 1 — Problem, scope, and rapid prototype plan

• Outcome: One-sentence problem statement, 3 user stories, and a vertical-slice plan.
• Tasks: Identify audience, define MVP feature list (3–5 features), pick tech stack (React/Vue + Vercel/Netlify, or no-code like Retool/Bubble for non-coders).
• LLM recipe: Ask an LLM to produce a concise product spec and acceptance criteria for each user story. Use the LLM to create a minimal API contract or JSON schema.
• Tutor checkpoint: Validate user stories and scope; prune to a realistic MVP.

Day 2 — Scaffold the app and set up repo/CD

• Outcome: GitHub repo with README template, scaffolded frontend and backend, and basic CI (linting/tests).
• Tasks: Create project, install dependencies, set up GitHub Actions or simple CI to run lint/tests. Wire a free hosting pipeline (Vercel/Netlify or a no-code publish).
• LLM recipe: Generate starter code, directory structure, and CI config. Ask the LLM for secure environment variable handling and basic tests.

Day 3 — Implement core flow #1 (user journey and persistence)

• Outcome: Primary user flow working (e.g., create + view item) with local storage or a simple DB (SQLite, Supabase, Airtable).
• Tasks: Implement forms, validation, error handling, and persistence. Add 1–2 unit or integration tests.
• Tutor checkpoint: Demo live flow and get feedback on UX and error states.

Day 4 — Implement secondary flow & LLM features

• Outcome: Secondary user flows implemented (search, filter, share). Add an LLM-powered enhancement (summaries, recommendations, auto-generated copy).
• Tasks: Integrate an LLM endpoint (use provider SDK or on-prem LLMs if available). Implement rate-limit safety and caching for repeated answers.
• LLM prompt tips: Keep prompts explicit about role and output format. Example:

  “You are an assistant that returns a JSON with fields: summary, tags, and a 1-sentence pitch for the given text.”

Day 5 — Tests, accessibility, and performance

• Outcome: Test coverage for core flows, basic accessibility checks (contrast, keyboard nav), and a simple performance audit.
• Tasks: Add end-to-end test (Playwright / Cypress), run lighthouse, fix top 3 accessibility issues.

Day 6 — Polish: README, case study, and video script

• Outcome: Complete README, one-page case study PDF, and 2-minute demo video script.
• Tasks: Use an LLM to draft the README, tests description, deployment steps, and the pitch script. Record a 2-minute screencast demo (voiceover explaining problem & outcome).
• Tutor checkpoint: Review README and video script; practice the 2-minute pitch with the tutor.

Day 7 — Final QA, deployment, and employer-facing scorecard

• Outcome: Deployed demo link, downloadable case study, automated CI passing, and a graded scorecard (rubric) for portfolio listing.
• Tasks: Run final tests, create a release tag, produce a ‘how to run locally’ section, and publish demo to a stable URL. Submit final repo to tutor for grading.

Grading rubric: Turn tutor feedback into an employer-ready score

Use this rubric (100-point scale) to grade projects consistently. Tutors score each category and provide written feedback along with examples for improvement.

1. Problem clarity & impact (15 pts)
   • 15 — Clear one-sentence problem, defined users, metric for success
   • 10 — Problem and users described but no measurable metric
   • 5 — Vague problem statement
2. Working prototype (25 pts)
   • 25 — Live demo with all core flows functioning and edge cases handled
   • 15 — Core flows work but edge cases break
   • 5 — Partial or non-working demo
3. Code quality & tests (20 pts)
   • 20 — Clean structure, linting, unit/e2e tests, passing CI
   • 10 — Reasonable structure, few tests
   • 0 — Messy code, no tests
4. LLM integration & ethics (10 pts)
   • 10 — LLM used responsibly with input validation, caching, and metadata; model and cost noted
   • 5 — LLM used but missing safeguards
   • 0 — Unclear or unsafe LLM usage
5. UX, accessibility & polish (10 pts)
   • 10 — Accessible, responsive, clear microcopy
   • 5 — Basic responsiveness, missing accessibility work
6. Documentation & storytelling (10 pts)
   • 10 — README, case study, 2-min video, feature matrix
   • 5 — README only
7. Employer-facing scorecard (10 pts)
   • 10 — Concise one-page takeaway for hiring managers with measurable results and next steps
   • 5 — Long README, no hiring manager summary

Employer-facing outcomes: How to package and talk about your project

Recruiters and hiring managers scan portfolios for quick signals. Prepare these artifacts for each micro app:

• One-sentence elevator: “A [type] micro app that helps [user] do [task], reducing time-to-X by Y% (or achieving X result).”
• Two-minute video demo: Show problem, demo core flows, and state impact or hypothetical metric.
• One-page case study: Problem, approach, tech choices with reasoning, outcomes/metrics, and what’s next.
• Scorecard snapshot: Include the 100-point rubric summary at the top of the README — it’s a trust signal for employers who want quick evaluation.
• Interview talking points: Prepare 3 talking points: tradeoffs you made, the hardest bug and how you fixed it, and a measurable outcome.

Practical LLM prompts and workflows (plug-and-play)

Below are concise prompt templates you can use with any modern LLM in 2026. Replace bracketed text with your specifics.

Product spec generator

Create a concise product spec for a micro app named [APP NAME] that solves [USER PROBLEM] for [USER TYPE]. Include: one-sentence problem, 3 user stories with acceptance criteria, and 3 success metrics.

Starter code scaffolding

Generate a minimal project structure for a web app using [FRAMEWORK] and [BACKEND]. Include sample component code for the primary user flow, a basic test, and a GitHub Actions CI file that runs tests and lints on PRs.

2-minute demo script

Write a 2-minute script for a demo video that: (1) states the problem in one sentence, (2) shows the main flow, (3) highlights 2 key challenges you solved, and (4) ends with a call-to-action to view the repo.

Tip: Keep prompts explicit about output format (JSON, sections) to make parsing and iteration faster. Always include a request for potential edge cases and a test checklist.

Tools & stacks that work well for micro apps in 2026

• Frontend: React with Vite, SvelteKit, or no-code frontends (Bubble / UXPin / Thunkable for mobile)
• Backend/Persistence: Supabase, Firebase, or lightweight Node + SQLite on serverless
• LLM integration: Provider SDKs (OpenAI-style, Anthropic-style, or on-prem LLMs where compliance needed)
• Hosting & CI: Vercel/Netlify + GitHub Actions; simple Docker for more control
• Testing: Playwright or Cypress for end-to-end; Jest/Testing Library for unit tests
• Analytics: Plausible or simple event logging for mock MVP metrics

Live tutoring & coaching playbook

To scale this bootcamp inside a tutoring or coaching program, follow this live format:

• Pre-bootcamp intake: Student fills a 10-minute form: skills, target role/school, and preferred stack.
• Daily standups (15 mins): Tutors run short syncs to unblock students and prioritize today’s sprint.
• Three review checkpoints: End of Days 1, 3, and 6. Tutors grade with the rubric and give 3 actionable improvements.
• Final showcase session: Public demo day where students present to peers and industry mentors who apply the rubric and offer feedback.

Case studies & examples (realistic micro apps you can finish in one week)

• Where2Eat clone: Group decision dining recommender (See: micro-app trend coverage in TechCrunch 2024–2025). Core feature: shared preferences + LLM-based restaurant pitches.
• Study Sprint Planner: Timed study sessions, progress analytics, and LLM-generated targeted flashcards.
• Resume Optimizer: Upload resume, LLM suggests targeted bullets for a job description and outputs ATS-friendly keywords.

Security, privacy and ethical LLM use

By 2026, employers expect awareness of data privacy and safe LLM usage. Document:

• Which model you used, prompt design choices, and cost/latency tradeoffs
• How you handle user data (local-only, anonymized, or with explicit user consent)
• Rate limiting and caching of LLM responses to reduce hallucinations and cost

How to convert a graded micro app into a portfolio showcase

1. Place the one-page case study at the top of the project page and include the rubric score.
2. Embed the 2-minute video and a live demo link. If hosting is temporary, include a video and screenshots with a clear “how to run locally” guide.
3. Write a 3-point recruiter summary: problem, impact, and what you’d build next.
4. Link to a short section on skills demonstrated: frontend, backend, LLM prompts, testing, accessibility.

Frequently asked: Interview questions employers will ask about your micro app

• “Walk me through the problem you solved and why it matters.”
• “What tradeoffs did you make in your tech stack?”
• “Describe the toughest bug and how you diagnosed it.”
• “How does your app handle incorrect LLM output?”
• “If you had three weeks instead of one, what would you add?”

Advanced strategies & future-proofing (2026+)

As LLMs and micro platforms evolve, take these advanced steps to stand out:

• Include small datasets or simulated metrics to show thinking around scale and impact.
• Automate a simple A/B experiment to show data-driven iteration (even if simulated).
• Use model-agnostic prompt wrappers so your integration can swap LLM providers without rewrites.
• Make your README include a “Technical debt & next steps” section — employers value self-awareness.

Final checklist before you submit your portfolio item

• Live demo link or screencast uploaded
• README + one-page case study + 2-min video
• Rubric score and tutor feedback included
• LLM usage documented and safety notes included
• Interview talking points prepared

Closing: How to get started this week

Ready to turn a weekend idea into a recruiter-ready portfolio piece in seven days? Start by choosing one micro-problem you can test with real users (even two friends). Use the day-by-day plan above, plug in the LLM prompts, and pair with a tutor for checkpoints on Days 1, 3 and 6. Tutors accelerate progress, catch architectural issues early, and translate project work into employer-facing narratives.

Take action: Download our free 7-day bootcamp syllabus, rubric template, and starter prompts. Book a 30-minute tutor intake session to pick your micro app and create Day 1 deliverables — spots fill fast for our next cohort.

“A micro app is more than code — it’s a concise story of problem, solution, and measurable impact.”

Publish that story the right way, and a week’s focused work can unlock interviews, scholarships, and admissions conversations in 2026.

Call to action

Download the bootcamp toolkit, join live tutoring & coaching sessions, or schedule a mentor review to get your micro app graded with our employer-facing rubric. Start your 7-day build today and transform micro projects into meaningful career wins.

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