Desktop-First Top-Down Development Approach

  1. Design for large screens first
    Build the full-size version of the website, maximizing available screen space.

  2. Adapt for smaller devices
    Use @media queries to define breakpoints and ensure responsive styling.

  3. Utilize mock data
    Since the API isn’t ready, simulate user interactions with mock data.

  4. Refine the UI and define the API
    Ensure the UI is fully responsive and functional across all screen sizes.

  5. Align the API with frontend needs
    Design an API that supports the frontend’s requirements. Gradually replace mock data with real API calls while validating responses and handling errors.

  6. Develop and integrate the backend
    Build the backend and database schema based on the finalized frontend structure.

  7. Validate API interactions
    Ensure seamless communication between the UI and backend.

This top-down development approach ensures that the UI dictates data structure and interactions, resulting in a user-centric, scalable, and efficient application.