Jonathan Chan 
Zero to Builder: The Course for Non-Technical Builders
What if you could go from “I can’t code” to shipping real apps in just 8 weeks?
That’s exactly what Zero to Builder is designed to do.
I’ve spent the last few years building products and automations using AI tools. What used to require a team of developers can now be done by one person with the right knowledge. And I want to teach you how.
Why Now?
The AI landscape has shifted dramatically. Tools like Claude Code, Cursor, and n8n have lowered the barrier to building software to almost zero.
But here’s the thing: most people don’t know how to use them effectively.
They spend hours watching YouTube tutorials, getting stuck, and eventually giving up. They have a folder full of half-finished projects and a growing list of “app ideas” that never see the light of day.
Zero to Builder changes that.
The Transformation Arc
Over 8 weeks, you’ll go through a complete transformation:
| Week | Focus | You’ll Think |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Discover & Automate | ”I have a clear idea and working automations” |
| 3-4 | Communicate & Build | ”I can talk to AI and build real apps” |
| 5-6 | Ship & Expand | ”I can build and deploy full applications” |
| 7-8 | Productize & Launch | ”I can ship products and make money” |
This isn’t about learning to code in the traditional sense. It’s about learning to direct AI to build what you want.
Week by Week Breakdown
Week 1: Discover Your Build
We start by finding what’s worth building. You’ll use the Problem Mining framework to identify real problems, evaluate ideas with the Build Compass, and set up your development environment.
Deliverable: A one-page Build Brief and a working dev environment with your first API call.
Week 2: Visual Automation Foundations
n8n is a visual automation platform that lets you connect apps and build workflows without code. You’ll learn triggers, actions, logic, and data flow — then build and deploy your first working automations.
Projects: Personal news briefing + email triage assistant.
Week 3: Master AI Communication
The difference between getting garbage output and getting exactly what you want comes down to how you communicate with AI. You’ll master the ICE Framework (Identity, Context, Examples), four prompt patterns, and set up Cursor with MCP integrations.
Outcome: AI does what you want on the first try, and you have a supercharged dev environment.
Week 4: Build Your First Apps
Now we connect frontends to backends. You’ll build webhooks, simple web interfaces, and your first end-to-end functioning app using Cursor and n8n together.
Projects: Form handler with AI response + your personal project app.
Week 5: Building with Cursor
Master Cursor’s Agent mode and the Agentic Coding Protocol. Build multi-component React applications and deploy them live to Vercel.
Project: SlideForge — a markdown-to-slides presentation app, deployed and accessible to anyone.
Week 6: Expanding with Claude Code
Learn when to use Claude Code vs Cursor. Build Chrome extensions, integrate with GitHub, and take your main project from local to live.
Outcome: Working Chrome extension installed + main project deployed to a live URL.
Week 7: Productize Your Build
Turn your project into a product. Build a landing page with the five essential elements, set up payment with Stripe, and create a compelling offer.
Deliverable: A live landing page with a working payment system.
Week 8: Launch and Beyond
Ship publicly across your network, communities, and platforms. Collect real feedback, learn the Build-Measure-Learn loop, and create your 90-day Builder plan.
Goal: Public launch + external validation (a sale, a user, or a testimonial).
What You’ll Get
- 8 Live Sessions - Every Thursday at 12pm AEDT, 90 minutes each
- Private Community - Connect with other builders, ask questions, share wins
- Templates & Swipe Files - 20+ prompt templates, 10+ n8n workflow templates
- Weekly Office Hours - Drop-in Q&A outside of main sessions
- Lifetime Access - All recordings and materials forever
- Accountability Partner - Matched in Week 1 to keep you on track
Who This Is For
Zero to Builder is designed for:
- Non-technical professionals who want to build products but think they “can’t code”
- Corporate employees who want to create their own path and eventually escape the 9-5
- Entrepreneurs who want to automate their business and build internal tools
- Anyone who’s said “I have an app idea but don’t know where to start”
Time commitment: 4-5 hours per week (90-minute live session + 2-3 hours of practice)
Who This Is NOT For
This course is not for:
- People looking for a get-rich-quick scheme
- Those who aren’t willing to put in the work
- Anyone expecting to become a senior developer in 8 weeks
This is about building real skills that let you create real things. It takes effort.
The Tools You’ll Master
| Tool | What It Does |
|---|---|
| n8n | Visual automation platform |
| Cursor | AI-powered IDE for building apps |
| Claude Code | AI-assisted coding for quick builds and extensions |
| Claude/ChatGPT | AI assistants for prompting |
| Vercel | Deployment platform |
| Stripe | Payment processing |
Founding Cohort Details
The first cohort starts January 15th, 2026 at 12pm AEDT (Sydney time).
As a founding member, you’ll get:
- Lower pricing than future cohorts
- Direct input on course content
- More personalized attention (smaller group)
- Founding member badge in the community
Investment
We offer two payment options:
Pay in Full: AU$1,497 AUD
- Save AU$301 compared to installment plan
Two Installments: AU$899 AUD each
- Pay AU$899 now, AU$899 before January 15th
- Total: AU$1,798 AUD
Both options include lifetime access to all materials and the community.
Ready to Build?
Stop collecting app ideas that never get built. Stop watching tutorials that don’t lead anywhere. Stop waiting for the “right time” to learn.
The tools are ready. The curriculum is ready. The only question is: are you?
Apply Now — ClosedEnrollment for the founding cohort is now closed. Check back for future cohort announcements.
FAQs
Q: Do I need any technical background?
No. The course is designed for complete beginners. If you can use a computer and follow instructions, you can do this.
Q: What if I miss a live session?
All sessions are recorded. You’ll have lifetime access to the recordings.
Q: How much time do I need?
Plan for 4-5 hours per week: 90 minutes for the live session, plus 2-3 hours for assignments and practice.
Q: What if I don’t have an app idea?
We’ll help you find one. Part of Week 1 is identifying what you want to build.
Q: Is there a refund policy?
If you attend the first two sessions and don’t feel like the course is for you, we’ll refund 100% of your payment.
Q: Can I interact with other students?
Yes! You’ll have access to a private community where you can ask questions, share progress, and connect with other builders.
About the Instructor
I’m Jonathan Chan. I left a $420K corporate job to build products and teach others how to do the same.
I’ve built AI automations that handle customer support, content creation, and lead qualification. I’ve shipped apps using Claude Code and Cursor. And I’ve helped dozens of non-technical people build their first products.
Now I want to help you.
Founding Cohort — ClosedThe founding cohort is now closed. Stay tuned for future cohorts.
