Key Takeaway: The project successfully modernized and enhanced the legacy educational application wRite Formula by leveraging the combined capabilities of Visual Studio Code (VS Code), the AI software engineer Cline, and Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro language model. This case study highlights the effectiveness of AI-augmented development workflows.

Main Themes and Important Ideas:

• Revival of a Classic Educational App: The core of the project is the resurrection of wRite Formula, an application previously celebrated for its "innovative approach to interactive writing prompts and formulaic content generation for educators and students." The app had become obsolete due to its "aging code and shifting user expectations."
• The Challenge of Modernization: Reviving wRite Formula involved significant technical hurdles. The original application was built on an "obsolete tech stack (think older Mobile App frameworks)," making it difficult to maintain and improve. The project aimed to "Modernize the codebase to HTML5, modern JS, and CSS3," "Improve usability," "Add AI-driven features," and "Build for the future—robust, scalable, and easy to maintain."
• The AI Power Trio: The revival was made possible through the synergistic use of three distinct modern AI tools:
• Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Served as the "command center" and interactive environment, facilitating the interaction between the codebase and the AI agents. Paired with extensions and APIs, it allowed Cline and Gemini to "read files, write code, and run scripts directly."
• Cline – The AI Developer: Functioned as an "assistant developer/project manager." Cline was responsible for analyzing the legacy code, writing and refactoring code, and managing development tasks autonomously. Its capabilities included list_files, read_file, search_files, write_to_file, and replace_in_file.
• Gemini 2.5 Pro – The Brain: Acted as the "expert consultant." Gemini provided crucial insights into the unfamiliar legacy code, generated code for modern components, offered suggestions for modern UI/UX and accessibility, and performed deep reasoning to debug and optimize logic.
• Step-by-Step Revival Process: The revival followed a structured process involving:
• Codebase Audit & Setup: Importing the project into VS Code and instructing Cline to map the file structure, locate dependencies, and begin modernization with Gemini's help.
• Core Refactoring: Cline translated legacy logic into "modular JavaScript," rebuilding functions in ES6+ and replacing outdated syntax, with Gemini assisting in code comprehension and algorithm translation.
• Modern UI/UX Design: Rebuilding the frontend using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. Cline created responsive layouts, and Gemini recommended modern patterns, resulting in an interface that felt "fresh while staying familiar."
• New AI-Powered Features: This was a "breakthrough moment." AI-powered suggestion prompts were added to provide dynamic feedback to user writing, offering "Grammar/style improvements," "Tone analysis," and "Alternative sentence structures." Cline handled API integration, and Gemini drafted the NLP logic.
• Testing, Debugging & Optimization: Utilizing VS Code, Cline ran build scripts and patched bugs, while Gemini interpreted complex bugs and proposed fixes.
• The Magic of Collaboration: The success of the project is attributed to the effective collaboration between the tools: "VS Code = Smart, flexible workspace," "Cline = Multi-skilled AI developer," and "Gemini = Strategic expert and creative coder." This collaboration transformed the project from a "multi-week dev project into a fast-paced, efficient AI-assisted revival."
• The New wRite Formula: The revived application boasts several improvements, including an "Intuitive, mobile-friendly UI," "Seamless AI writing support," "Lightning-fast load and processing," a "Scalable codebase," and "Enhanced accessibility and usability."
• AI-Augmented Development: The project serves as a compelling "case study in modern development." The authors emphasize that tools like VS Code, Cline, and Gemini 2.5 Pro are "not replacing developers—they’re amplifying us." They "reduce grunt work, accelerate progress, and unlock new creative workflows."

Notable Facts:

• wRite Formula was originally celebrated for its ability to "scaffold writing with structured prompts and dynamic feedback."
• The legacy codebase was built on "older Mobile App frameworks."
• The revived version uses "HTML5, modern JS, and CSS3."
• The new AI-powered features include dynamic suggestions for grammar, style, tone, and sentence structure.
• The collaboration between VS Code, Cline, and Gemini 2.5 Pro allowed for a significantly faster development process.

Relevant Quotes:

• "The tech world is full of once-brilliant apps that faded into obscurity—not for lack of vision, but because they couldn’t keep up with the times. wRite Formula was one such gem."
• "Celebrated in its heyday for its innovative approach to interactive writing prompts and formulaic content generation for educators and students, it eventually fell victim to aging code and shifting user expectations."
• "But what if you could bring such an app back—smarter, faster, and powered by AI?"
• "wRite Formula stood out for its ability to scaffold writing with structured prompts and dynamic feedback."
• "Resurrecting wRite Formula wasn’t just about reskinning the UI. We aimed to: Modernize the codebase... Improve usability... Add AI-driven features... Build for the future..."
• "Visual Studio Code (VS Code) served as our command center."
• "Cline functioned like an assistant developer/project manager."
• "Gemini 2.5 Pro – The Brain. Gemini served as the expert consultant..."
• "Together, they formed a seamless AI-human dev pipeline."
• "This was the breakthrough moment. We added AI-powered suggestion prompts that dynamically respond to user writing..."
• "The magic was in collaboration: VS Code = Smart, flexible workspace. Cline = Multi-skilled AI developer. Gemini = Strategic expert and creative coder."
• "This trio turned a multi-week dev project into a fast-paced, efficient AI-assisted revival—without sacrificing quality or control."
• "This isn’t just a comeback story for an app—it’s a case study in modern development."
• "Tools like VS Code, Cline, and Gemini 2.5 Pro aren’t replacing developers—they’re amplifying us."
• "With this trio, wRite Formula didn’t just come back—it evolved."

Study Guide: Reviving wRite Formula with AI

Quiz:

1. What was the original purpose of wRite Formula?
2. Why did the original wRite Formula fade into obscurity?
3. What were the three main goals for reviving wRite Formula?
4. What role did Visual Studio Code (VS Code) play in the revival project?
5. How did Cline contribute to modernizing the codebase?
6. What was Gemini 2.5 Pro's primary function in the development process?
7. Besides modernizing the code and UI, what significant new feature was added to the revived wRite Formula?
8. What types of AI-powered suggestions are available in the new wRite Formula?
9. According to the source, how does the AI trio (VS Code, Cline, Gemini 2.5 Pro) impact the development process?
10. What is the main takeaway message from the wRite Formula revival story?

Quiz Answer Key:

1. The original purpose of wRite Formula was to provide interactive writing prompts and generate formulaic content for educators and students.
2. The original wRite Formula faded due to aging code built on an obsolete tech stack and shifting user expectations.
3. The three main goals were to modernize the codebase to HTML5, modern JS, and CSS3; improve usability while preserving charm; and add AI-driven features.
4. VS Code served as the command center, providing an interactive environment for the AI agents to read files, write code, and run scripts.
5. Cline analyzed the legacy code, wrote and refactored code, and managed logic flows and development tasks autonomously.
6. Gemini 2.5 Pro acted as an expert consultant, providing insight, code generation, UX/UI suggestions, and deep reasoning for debugging.
7. A significant new feature added was AI-powered suggestion prompts that dynamically respond to user writing.
8. AI-powered suggestions include grammar/style improvements, tone analysis, and alternative sentence structures.
9. The AI trio turns multi-week projects into fast-paced, efficient AI-assisted revivals without sacrificing quality or control.
10. The main takeaway is that AI-augmented development, using tools like VS Code, Cline, and Gemini 2.5 Pro, is here and amplifies developers rather than replacing them.

Essay Questions:

1. Discuss the challenges faced in reviving wRite Formula and how the specific roles of VS Code, Cline, and Gemini 2.5 Pro contributed to overcoming these challenges.
2. Analyze the concept of "AI-augmented development" as presented in the source. How does the case study of wRite Formula support the claim that AI tools amplify developers?
3. Compare and contrast the features of the original wRite Formula with the revived version. What impact do the new AI-powered features have on the application's potential use by educators and students?
4. Evaluate the synergistic relationship between VS Code, Cline, and Gemini 2.5 Pro described in the source. How did the combined capabilities of these tools enable the efficient modernization and enhancement of wRite Formula?
5. Consider the implications of using AI tools like Cline and Gemini 2.5 Pro for reviving other "once-brilliant apps that faded into obscurity." What are the potential benefits and challenges of this approach?

Glossary of Key Terms:

• wRite Formula: The name of the classic application that was revived. Originally designed for interactive writing prompts and formulaic content generation.
• VS Code (Visual Studio Code): A source-code editor used as the "command center" for the wRite Formula revival project.
• Cline: An AI software engineer tool used in the revival process to read and analyze legacy code, write and refactor code, and manage development tasks.
• Gemini 2.5 Pro: A large language model developed by Google, used as the "expert consultant" in the project, providing insights, code generation, and debugging assistance.
• Interactive Writing Prompts: Features in wRite Formula that provide structured guidance to users during the writing process.
• Formulaic Content Generation: The ability of wRite Formula to generate content based on predefined formulas or structures, particularly relevant for educators and students.
• Obsolete Tech Stack: Outdated technologies and frameworks used to build the original wRite Formula, making it difficult to maintain and improve.
• Modernize the Codebase: The process of updating the application's underlying code to modern standards and technologies (HTML5, modern JS, CSS3).
• Legacy Code: The original, older code of wRite Formula that needed to be analyzed and refactored.
• AI-Driven Features: New functionalities added to the revived wRite Formula that are powered by artificial intelligence, such as dynamic suggestion prompts.
• AI-Augmented Development: A development approach where AI tools are used to assist and enhance the work of human developers, rather than replacing them.

 

🔄 Reviving a Classic: How VS Code, Cline, and Gemini 2.5 Pro Breathed New Life into wRite Formula

The tech world is full of once-brilliant apps that faded into obscurity—not for lack of vision, but because they couldn’t keep up with the times. wRite Formula was one such gem. 

https://sg.iwant2study.org/ospsg/index.php/356-learning-chemistry-with-writeformula

Celebrated in its heyday for its innovative approach to interactive writing prompts and formulaic content generation for educators and students, it eventually fell victim to aging code and shifting user expectations.

But what if you could bring such an app back—smarter, faster, and powered by AI?

This is the story of how we did just that, harnessing the synergy between three modern AI tools: Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Cline, the AI software engineer, and Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google’s cutting-edge large language model. Together, they gave wRite Formula a second life.

 

---

💡 What Was wRite Formula?

wRite Formula stood out for its ability to scaffold writing with structured prompts and dynamic feedback. Its clean interface helped users—primarily students and educators—break through writing blocks and organize their ideas coherently.

However, built on a now-obsolete tech stack (think older Mobile App frameworks), it became difficult to maintain, let alone improve. The concept was sound; the technology just needed a reboot.

---

🔧 The Revival Challenge

Resurrecting wRite Formula wasn’t just about reskinning the UI. We aimed to:

1. Modernize the codebase to HTML5, modern JS, and CSS3.

2. Improve usability while preserving the original charm.

3. Add AI-driven features that didn’t exist in its first incarnation.

4. Build for the future—robust, scalable, and easy to maintain.

This meant deciphering a legacy codebase, redesigning UX, introducing new logic, and integrating AI—all without losing what made the original special.

wRiteFormula/ wRiteFormula_20250419_223338.zip

 

---

⚙️ The AI Power Trio: VS Code, Cline & Gemini 2.5 Pro

Here's how each component played a crucial role:

1. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

VS Code served as our command center. Paired with extensions and APIs, it enabled seamless interaction between our codebase and the AI agents, offering an interactive environment where Cline and Gemini could read files, write code, and run scripts directly.

2. Cline – The AI Developer

Cline functioned like an assistant developer/project manager. Given goals or tasks, it:

• Read and analyzed the legacy code (list_files, read_file, search_files).

• Wrote/refactored code (write_to_file, replace_in_file).

• Managed logic flows and development tasks autonomously.

3. Gemini 2.5 Pro – The Brain

Gemini served as the expert consultant, providing:

• Insight into unfamiliar code.

• Code generation for modern JS components.

• Suggestions for modern UX/UI and accessibility.

• Deep reasoning to debug and optimize logic.

Together, they formed a seamless AI-human dev pipeline.

---

🛠️ Step-by-Step Revival Process

1. Codebase Audit & Setup

We imported the old project into VS Code, configured AI integration, and instructed Cline to:

• Map the file structure.

• Locate legacy dependencies.

• Begin modernizing with Gemini’s insight.

2. Core Refactoring

Cline translated legacy logic (e.g., a formula parser) into modular JavaScript:

• Rebuilt functions in ES6+.

• Replaced legacy syntax and deprecated libraries.

• Ensured performance matched or exceeded the original.

Gemini assisted with code comprehension and algorithm translation.

3. Modern UI/UX Design

We rebuilt the frontend using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript:

• Cline created responsive layouts.

• Gemini recommended modern patterns (e.g., ARIA roles, keyboard nav).

• The interface was reimagined to feel fresh while staying familiar.

4. New AI-Powered Features

This was the breakthrough moment.

We added AI-powered suggestion prompts that dynamically respond to user writing, offering:

• Grammar/style improvements.

• Tone analysis.

• Alternative sentence structures.

Cline handled API integration and UI logic. Gemini drafted the NLP logic and backend glue.

5. Testing, Debugging & Optimization

Inside VS Code:

• Cline ran build scripts, checked errors, and patched bugs.

• Gemini interpreted complex bugs, proposed fixes, and explained causes.

Within hours, we had a clean, fully functioning version of wRite Formula.

 

🤝 Why This Trio Works

The magic was in collaboration:

• VS Code = Smart, flexible workspace.

• Cline = Multi-skilled AI developer.

• Gemini = Strategic expert and creative coder.

This trio turned a multi-week dev project into a fast-paced, efficient AI-assisted revival—without sacrificing quality or control.

---

🚀 The New wRite Formula

Here’s what’s new:

✅ Intuitive, mobile-friendly UI
✅ Seamless AI writing support
✅ Lightning-fast load and processing
✅ Scalable codebase for future features
✅ Enhanced accessibility and usability

wRiteFormula/ wRiteFormula_20250419_223338.zip

[Link to simulation or live demo, if available]

---

🌱 The Takeaway: AI-Augmented Development Is Here

This isn’t just a comeback story for an app—it’s a case study in modern development. Tools like VS Code, Cline, and Gemini 2.5 Pro aren’t replacing developers—they’re amplifying us. They reduce grunt work, accelerate progress, and unlock new creative workflows.

With this trio, wRite Formula didn’t just come back—it evolved.

Sample Learning Goals

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For Teachers

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Software Requirements

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Research

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Video

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Credits

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Version:

https://weelookang.blogspot.com/2025/04/reviving-classic-how-vs-code-cline-and.html

Other Resources

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FAQ: Reviving wRite Formula with AI

What was the original wRite Formula application?

wRite Formula was a celebrated application designed for educators and students. Its primary function was to provide innovative interactive writing prompts and facilitate formulaic content generation, helping users overcome writing blocks and structure their ideas effectively. It featured a clean interface and was praised for its ability to scaffold the writing process.

Why did the original wRite Formula fall out of use?

Despite its innovative approach, wRite Formula eventually became obsolete because it was built on an aging and difficult-to-maintain technology stack, specifically older Mobile App frameworks. This made it challenging to update and improve, leading to it fading into obscurity as technology and user expectations shifted.

What were the key goals in reviving wRite Formula?

The revival aimed to achieve several key objectives:

• Modernize the codebase: Transitioning from the obsolete tech stack to modern web technologies like HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3.
• Improve usability: Enhancing the user experience while retaining the familiar charm of the original application.
• Add AI-driven features: Integrating new functionalities powered by artificial intelligence to enhance the writing process further.
• Build for the future: Creating a robust, scalable, and easily maintainable application.

What AI tools were used in the revival of wRite Formula and what was their role?

The revival leveraged a trio of modern AI tools:

• Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Served as the central workspace and command center, allowing seamless interaction between the codebase and AI agents through extensions and APIs.
• Cline: Acted as an AI developer and project manager, responsible for analyzing the legacy code, writing and refactoring new code, and managing development tasks autonomously.
• Gemini 2.5 Pro: Functioned as the expert consultant, providing deep reasoning, insight into the code, generating modern components, suggesting UX/UI improvements, and assisting with debugging and optimization.

How did the AI tools work together in the revival process?

The trio formed a seamless AI-human development pipeline. VS Code provided the environment for interaction. Cline handled the practical development tasks like reading and writing code and managing workflows based on goals. Gemini 2.5 Pro offered the intelligent insights, code generation for complex parts, and debugging assistance. This collaboration accelerated the development process significantly.

What were the key steps in the revival process?

The revival followed a structured process:

1. Codebase Audit & Setup: Importing the old project into VS Code, configuring AI integration, and using Cline to map the structure and identify dependencies.
2. Core Refactoring: Cline translated legacy logic into modern, modular JavaScript with Gemini's assistance for code comprehension and algorithm translation.
3. Modern UI/UX Design: Rebuilding the frontend using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, with Cline creating layouts and Gemini recommending modern design patterns.
4. New AI-Powered Features: Integrating AI-driven suggestion prompts for grammar, style, tone analysis, and alternative sentence structures, with Cline handling API integration and UI logic, and Gemini drafting NLP logic.
5. Testing, Debugging & Optimization: Using Cline within VS Code to run build scripts and check errors, and Gemini to interpret complex bugs and propose fixes.

What are some of the new features and improvements in the revived wRite Formula?

The updated wRite Formula boasts several enhancements:

• An intuitive and mobile-friendly user interface.
• Seamless AI support for writing, including dynamic suggestions.
• Faster loading and processing speeds.
• A scalable codebase designed for future feature additions.
• Improved accessibility and overall usability.

What is the main takeaway from the wRite Formula revival project?

The revival of wRite Formula serves as a case study demonstrating the power of AI-augmented development. The project highlights that tools like VS Code, Cline, and Gemini 2.5 Pro can significantly amplify developers' capabilities by reducing repetitive tasks, accelerating progress, and enabling new creative workflows, rather than replacing human developers.