Core Insights - The development process for WeChat Mini Programs has matured significantly, especially with the support of cloud development (Cloudbase) and AI-assisted coding, greatly reducing the time from conception to launch [1]. Development Process Overview - Before writing code, it is essential to obtain the "entry ticket" to the WeChat ecosystem [3]. - The standard development process includes several key steps: - Registering a "Mini Program" account on the WeChat public platform, with the enterprise version requiring a business license for payment features [4]. - Obtaining an AppID, which serves as the unique identifier for the Mini Program [4]. - Authorizing team members by adding their WeChat IDs in the backend [4]. - Creating a functional mind map to clarify the core features of the Mini Program, such as e-commerce, booking, or content display [4]. - Designing UI/UX using tools like Figma, adhering to the WeChat Mini Program interface design guidelines to ensure consistent user experience [4]. - Downloading and installing the WeChat Developer Tool or using VS Code with necessary plugins [4]. - Choosing a backend solution, with cloud development recommended for small to medium projects to avoid server and domain setup [4]. - Utilizing WXML, WXSS, JS/TS, and JSON for structure, styling, logic, and configuration respectively [4]. - Previewing and debugging on real devices to assess performance and user experience [4]. - Uploading code, submitting for review, and publishing the Mini Program upon approval, with typical review times ranging from 2 to 12 hours [4]. Compliance and Optimization - Compliance is crucial, especially when handling user privacy data, requiring explicit declarations in the code and backend privacy agreements to avoid rejection during the review process [4]. - It is advisable to leverage existing WeChat plugins (e.g., payment, maps, live streaming) to avoid redundant development efforts [5]. - AI tools like GitHub Copilot can significantly reduce layout time by over 40% when writing WXSS styles [5].