You can build a complete Joomla 5 template without touching a Joomla install

I've started asking the AI to explain its CSS decisions. 'Why did you use grid instead of flexbox here?' 'Why this border-radius value?' The explanations are genuinely educational. Like having a senior developer review your work.

A senior developer who never gets impatient and never makes you feel stupid for asking basic questions. That's the real value. The psychological safety of asking a machine. No ego. No judgment.

No judgment is huge. I asked it to explain the Joomla template hierarchy three times before I got it. A human would have rolled their eyes. The AI just rephrased its explanation each time until it clicked.

Speaking of hierarchy -- the AI Joomla Blueprint breaks down the template structure really well. Understanding which files override what saves you from the classic mistake of editing core files instead of creating proper overrides.

Never edit core files. Rule number one. The AI actually refuses to suggest core modifications if your prompt context shows you're working with a template. It'll redirect you to the override pattern. Smart guardrails.

Smart guardrails is exactly what you want in a development tool. It should prevent you from making mistakes, not just enable you to make them faster. That's the difference between a good tool and a dangerous one.