how to get started?

i know a bit of coding, but on my own projects i do a lot of googling. Im not sure how to get started other than just editing someone elses template, is there like a "base" that people use? or do other people just 'get' how sites are set up so they can guess? haha sorry if this is an annoying question or anything

I think a lot of people just edit templates, and the others genuinely know how to code, or have a job in that department, I'm guessing (some people use ai, but I think that's not the case for the majority of people on here hopefully) 

The thing is, to make something like that yourself, you have to understand what each function/piece of code does, and when you can do that, it's very easy to imagine what something might look like, like if it conflicts, etc! Even tho a lot of people also have a live editor or just keep their profile open in an extra tab, and refreshing it after every change they've made-

So your best guess, if you really want to make something yourself is learn the basics of HTML and CSS, try something from there and if that still doesn't work, you'll just have to keep learning! There's a bunch of resources online, youtube videos, documentations, forums and some sites offer interactive stuff (some are free, some are not)

For websites, Ive honestly been recycling the same code I wrote two years ago, and just editing it as my skills get better. As for when I fully make a new site (like for class), Ive been coding long enough to be able to just get it. BUT!!! I also only make static sites. If I wanted to do something outside of that (like java script or something) id have to pull out the duckduckgo. Also as @koeftespiess06 says, I keep my site open in an extra tab to refresh after every so many changes. I honestly didnt think about using a live editor, and am used to my way of doing it. 

Also, who uses AI for something they arent being FORCED to do. Like do they not feel enough joy to do it by hand? Or are they just focused on the end? If you need a template, https://sadgrlonline.github.io/archived-sadgrl.online/projects/layout-builder/ is a good one.