# Writing a Python App with no formal experience By [Kevin Leffew](https://paragraph.com/@bitkevin) · 2023-10-10 --- Using Replit AI and Twilio to Drive Attendance at my 10-year High School Reunion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _TLDR: Utilizing Replit's newly launched "AI for All" feature and Twilio's SMS services, I successfully drove up the registration rate for a 10-year high school reunion in Bethesda, Maryland, from 15% to 38%. Through Replit AI, the organizer was able to and a Twilio SMS template, the organizer was able to send personalized, timed SMS invitations to alumni.  I accomplished this with no formal coding experience._ [Replit recently announced “AI for All”](https://blog.replit.com/ai4all), giving access to the world’s top generative coding models to all developers, in a tightly integrated and context-aware environment, for free!  This means that everyone, even those with no deep programming experience, can start using generative AI to write apps. Over the weekend, I used Replit AI and Twilio, a programmatic SMS service, to quickly write a python app to message all of my former classmates for a 10-year reunion.  I wrote the entire app with no formal python experience, and it saved me a ton of time! **Using Software to Reconnect with Old Friends** It's hard to believe that a decade has slipped by since I last saw many of my high school friends. Fast forward ten years, and I found myself on the organizing committee, responsible for getting everyone to register for our 10-year reunion in Bethesda, Maryland. Yes, it's official; I'm getting older. Given the hustle and bustle of life, I realized that emails might get lost or ignored. But one thing's for sure - no one ignores a text message.  Having procured a list of everyone's phone numbers from the alumni office, I decided to venture into the world of programmatic SMS. Now, I'm not a developer, but I've heard of Twilio as a powerful tool for SMS services. The only challenge? I wasn't quite sure how to leverage it. But what I did have was knowledge about prompting generative code and language models, specifically Replit AI. ### **Prompting My Way Through Twilio** I discovered a Twilio SMS template on Replit, made by user [twilio](https://replit.com/@twilio). With a quick fork, I found myself with a starting point. Using Replit AI, I was able to generate a python script tailored to my needs: sending a personalized, sequential, and timed SMS blast. Once I had my API key from Twilio and set up the necessary environment variables, I drafted the body of the message, embedded a registration link, and did a few test runs. Let's just say my phone buzzed a lot that evening! ### **Using AI to Reformat my Data Model** The next big hurdle was formatting. Our alumni database was a giant Google Sheet. To communicate with the Twilio API, I needed this data in JSON format. Anyone who's ever attempted manual data conversion knows it's a bit like watching paint dry. With just an example of the desired JSON format, Replit AI’s chat assistant effortlessly converted the CSV data from Google Sheets into a Twilio-friendly JSON format. The hours I saved here were invaluable. ![Replit AI came up with the script to reformat my data](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/cd16b4cd871f15daafa4e23bb4fe0b52cba08c30472a55cb6002bf080aa92c9a.png) Replit AI came up with the script to reformat my data ### **Watching the Magic Unfold** With everything in place, I ran the script. The Replit console became my control center, allowing me to monitor the progress in real-time. Every sent message was a small victory, and I could hardly contain my excitement. ### **Results? A Resounding Success!** The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Classmates were delighted by the personalized touch of the SMS invitation. Our registration rate shot up from a modest 15% to an impressive 38%! That's more than double the number of old friends I'll get to see, share stories with, and reminisce about the good old days. ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/9770f29c2b5d4323d0b1fe52f7c28ab4012eee069f0524c56f8a7d7fcaebb7a4.png) ### **A Testament to Replit AI and Generative Coding** As someone who doesn't code for a living, this experience was an eye-opener. The combination of Replit, its templates, and the power of Replit AI made what seemed like a daunting task not only manageable but enjoyable. It's heartwarming to know that technology can be accessible, user-friendly, and incredibly effective. To all the non-developers out there: the world of tech isn't as intimidating as it seems. With the right AI tools and a dash of determination, anything is possible.  The overton window for software engineering is shifting! **Try the Template yourself** ----------------------------- Interested in orchestrating your own SMS outreach for an event or gathering? Well, you're in luck! I've made the entire process even more straightforward for you. **Here's How:** **Start with the Template:** Visit the Replit link here to access the template I used [https://replit.com/@kevinleffew/Twilio-Template-Georgetown-Prep-Reunion-SMS-Reach-out](https://replit.com/@kevinleffew/Twilio-Template-Georgetown-Prep-Reunion-SMS-Reach-out) **Read the Instructions:** The README file contains a step-by-step guide. It's super user-friendly, ensuring you don't miss out on any detail. **Set Up Your Twilio Environment**: Remember to insert the necessary environmental variables for Twilio. If you haven't got them, sign up with Twilio and they'll provide you with what you need. **Add Your Contacts:** Input the phone numbers of your recipients in the JSON format. **Run the Script:** Once everything's set up, hit that 'Run' button and watch the magic unfold! * * * _Disclaimer: Always ensure that you have the legal right and permission to send bulk SMS to recipients. Respect privacy laws and regulations._ **If you liked this post;** **Give me a follow on Replit:** [**replit.com/@kevinleffew**](https://replit.com/@kevinleffew) **And on X (Twitter):** [**twitter.com/kleffew94**](https://twitter.com/kleffew94) --- *Originally published on [Kevin Leffew](https://paragraph.com/@bitkevin/writing-a-python-app-with-no-formal-experience)*