Breaking Changes: How to Add Features Without Breaking What Works
You add a small feature and a working flow stops working. A link that used to lead to the dashboard now shows an error. A button does nothing on mobile even though it worked last week. These are breaking changes—updates that unintentionally disable things people already rely on—and they are common in fast, prompt‑driven builds.
Why breaking changes appear in AI‑first development
Vibe‑coding encourages bold edits because you can ask for sweeping improvements with a simple request. The model tries to help by touching all the places that seem related, but it cannot always see how real users move through your app. A small change to a sign‑in flow can affect the first‑time experience; a new page can shift navigation in ways you did not expect. None of this means you should slow down, but it does mean you should add a few simple checks before sharing a new link.
What breaking changes feel like for users
People do not think in errors or logs; they think in outcomes. They click a button and nothing happens. They try to save a profile and the form resets. They land on an empty page after logging in. Each of these moments reduces trust and makes churn more likely, especially for new products that depend on early word of mouth.
A small safety net that catches big problems
You can avoid many breaking changes with a short routine that takes minutes, not days.
- Keep a list of three or four paths that must always work (for example, Sign Up → Dashboard, Sign In → Dashboard, Update Profile → Success)
- After each change, click through those paths before looking anywhere else
- Add a friendly error page so surprises explain themselves
- Watch page load on your most visited screens so slowdowns do not sneak in
This is not heavy testing; it is a quick promise you make to your users that the basics will keep working while you improve the rest.
Write prompts that protect what already works
When you request an update, name what must remain unchanged. Tell the AI which pages, labels, and routes are out of bounds, and ask for a small change that you can review.
Examples that help:
- “Add a ‘Resend code’ link to the Verify Email screen. Do not change copy or layout on other auth screens.”
- “Create a Pricing page at /pricing and keep the current navigation order.”
- “On mobile, make the Save button stick to the bottom of the Edit Profile page. Do not touch desktop layout.”
If you break something, roll back fast
Speed is a strength when you can reverse a bad change quickly. If a core path stops working, ask the AI to restore the previous version of the affected file or remove the last change entirely. Then try the improvement again in smaller steps. Users forgive mistakes when you fix them promptly and keep communication clear.
Ship with confidence
Breaking changes happen when you move quickly, and moving quickly is the point of vibe‑coding and AI app generation. Balance that speed with a small safety net, clear prompts, and a habit of clicking through the paths that matter most. You will ship more often, with fewer surprises, and your users will feel the difference.
If a recent change broke a core path and you need fast help to restore stability, Spin by fryga can jump in as a rescue partner to fix what’s broken and keep you moving forward.