Is Claude Code too soon? How I built a "blog system" myself using free Genspark
Table of Contents
1. Claude Code, I'm curious but...
Recently, the engineering community on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) has been abuzz with talk of "Claude Code" released by Anthropic. The experience of directly instructing AI from the terminal to write code is certainly appealing.
However, many might be hesitant to adopt it, right?
- "I'm afraid the pay-as-you-go API charges will skyrocket"
- "It's not immediately usable due to a waitlist"
- "Setting up the local environment is a hassle to begin with"
If you are thinking of "creating a new app or service", I strongly recommend trying "Genspark" first, before jumping into the paid Claude Code.
2. Actions speak louder than words: List of creations with Genspark
You might be thinking, "Can decent development be done with free AI?" However, I have actually developed and am operating the following products using Genspark.
- AI Chatbot: A bot that loads a knowledge base and responds automatically
→ Is Dify's RAG accuracy low? How to build a high-accuracy chatbot with Genspark and Gemini - Community App: A web application where users can interact
→ Full process revealed: How one engineer and Genspark built an "SNS app" in one week - This blog system itself: A CMS for article management and display
What's particularly surprising is that "this very blog" you are currently reading is also a custom system built with Genspark.
3. Why build it myself with Genspark instead of WordPress?
When it comes to blogs, WordPress is standard, but I deliberately chose not to use it. The reason is simple: "WordPress feels somehow difficult to use and is heavy."
In the past, it was common sense to "put up with something difficult to use because it's too much trouble to build it yourself." However, now that Genspark (AI) is here, it's different.
"I want a simple blog system that is lightweight, strong in SEO, and can be written in Markdown." Just by telling Genspark that, you can get your own CMS. Customization is also completely flexible. If you say, "I want to change the color of this button" or "I want to automatically generate a table of contents," it will modify the code in seconds.
4. Why Genspark is the strongest for "new development"
CLI tools like Claude Code are suitable for modifying large existing projects or operating complex local environments. However, I feel that Genspark has an advantage when it comes to "creating something from scratch (new development)."
Reason ①: No environment setup required
With Genspark's "AI Developer" feature and "Sparkpage," you can generate code in your browser and instantly preview (check its operation) it on the spot. You won't get frustrated by environment setup errors like "Node.js version..." or "library dependencies..."
Reason ②: Overwhelming cost performance
Claude Code incurs API usage fees, but Genspark's basic features are available for free (※with plan-based restrictions). For prototyping and personal development levels, being able to iterate countless times without worrying about cost is a huge advantage.
4.5 The Biggest Difference: Free Trial Availability
Before diving into cost comparison, let's address the "biggest difference" between Claude Code and Genspark:
- Claude Code: ❌ No free tier (charges from day one)
- Genspark: ✅ Free tier available (100 credits daily)
| Item | Claude Code | Genspark |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | ❌ None | ✅ Available (100 credits daily) |
| Trial development | Not available | Possible (small apps can be completed for free) |
| Initial cost | Required from the start | Can start for free |
With Claude Code, you incur API charges from the moment you start, making it difficult to casually "try it out." In contrast, Genspark provides 100 credits daily for free, allowing you to develop small-scale applications without any upfront investment.
You can try it out with free credits first! No need to commit to paid plans immediately. Experience the AI development environment risk-free and see if it fits your workflow.
This "free trial availability" is a significant advantage, especially for individual developers and students who want to "experience AI development before committing financially."
5. Summary: Experience AI development for free first
Of course, there may be situations where Claude Code is more suitable, such as maintaining existing legacy code in a professional setting.
However, for individual developers like me who want to "give shape to their ideas" or "create their own tools," Genspark is the strongest partner. Before hitting the CLI while feeling anxious about charges, first open your browser and ask Genspark this:
"Create a simple blog system."
That one phrase might change your engineering life.
- Thorough comparison of Genspark vs ChatGPT vs Cursor
- Optimal tech stack and strategy for Genspark development