Yesterday we started exploring GitHub Spark. We looked at the basic prompting experience, the live preview but also explored the visual editing features and the specification generation (through a PRD.md file). But we didn't have the time to check out all the features.
Let's dive in...
Seamless GitHub Integration
This is where Spark really shines. Unlike standalone vibe coding tools, Spark can create a GitHub repository from your project. Once created you get a repository with GitHub Actions, Dependabot, and all the standard tooling. The code is synchronized so you don’t need to leave the vibe coding experience.
Remark: This is also a great way to better understand what is going on behind the scenes. It allowed me to fix some issues where I wasn’t able to solve it inside GitHub Spark.
Need more power? Open a Codespace directly from Spark and continue development with the full GitHub ecosystem at your fingertips.
Upload a sketch or an image
You don’t have to start with only a prompt but you can also start from an existing design or sketch you draw on a napkin. Take a picture and attach it to the Spark's input field, together with the following example prompt.
Authentication
Spark has built-in authentication, since users need to sign in with their GitHub account to access your app. You control who has access to your app by setting visibility and data access options.
One-Click Deployment
When you're ready, click "Publish" and your app goes live on Microsoft Azure with built-in authentication and a secure URL. No DevOps knowledge required.
Billing
GitHub Spark uses your existing GitHub Copilot plan. Each prompt consumes 4 premium requests, which draw from your plan's premium request allowance. (More info here: GitHub Spark billing - GitHub Docs)
Conclusion
I think that GitHub Spark certainly has its place among the other vibe coding tools. In addition, it offers some unique features like the visual editor and of course the great GitHub integration that makes it a compelling candidate.
My main wish is that the used model will still improve as it got stuck a few times. The good news was that I was always able to fix it by switching to the repository and do some changes there (using GitHub Copilot).
Addendum
I used Github Spark to create a 7 minutes workout application. The 7-minute workout is a high-intensity circuit training routine designed to deliver maximum fitness benefits in minimal time using just body weight, a chair, and a wall.
I started doing this workout every day with my oldest son and we noticed that we had 2 problems;
- We always forgot the exact order of the routines
- Tracking the time manually was cumbersome
So we decided to build an app that walks you through the routine and keeps track of the time. Timing and the exact exercise are shared through audio cues so you don’t have to look at your cellphone during the routine.
The app is available here (you only need a GitHub account to be able to access it):