AI writes the code. You make the calls.FDE 101: a practitioner's workflow, from customer conversation to shipped product.

Anyone can get AI to generate an app. The hard part is everything around it: knowing what to build, how the parts connect, and whether real people can actually use it. That's the job of a Forward Deployed Engineer.

In this session, Ezekiel Hoe walks through the exact workflow he uses to take a vague customer request to a working product, live, on a real example. Half of it is the people side: how to run the customer conversation and turn "we need AI" into clear requirements. Half is the engineering side: the data model, the APIs, the checks, and how to steer AI so it builds what you meant.

What you'll see, demonstrated live

  • Customer to spec: turning a fuzzy request into user journeys, constraints and success criteria AI can work from

  • Spec to design: database structure, API flows, authentication, and who can see or change what

  • Steering AI: the prompts, context, memory and reusable instructions that keep it on track

  • Prototype to production: security, error handling and testing, and which ones matter for a demo versus real customers

  • The full setup: tools, hardware, skills, shortcuts and Wispr Flow, as used day to day

What you'll leave with

  • A workflow you can apply to your own project on Monday

  • An operating prompt you can copy and reuse

  • A clearer sense of what the FDE role looks like in practice

Who it's forAspiring and working FDEs, software engineers, AI builders, founders, consultants, operators and product managers. You don't need to be a senior developer; every concept is shown on a real example.

About Ezekiel HoeEzekiel is a Forward Deployed Engineer who turns ideas and everyday challenges into useful solutions with AI. His approach starts with understanding people, asking questions and shaping solutions around how people work. In this session he'll share his startup process, from customer conversations and requirements to architecture, implementation, testing and delivery.

Part of Hasky's Forward Deployment Academy. Bring an idea, a project or a question. Leave with a workflow you can use.