From: gregisenberg
This episode aims to provide clarity around building with AI and how business or marketing-oriented individuals can effectively communicate their app ideas through prototyping. This process helps in pitching ideas to a team or serving as a guiding vision for building software [00:00:07].
A Non-Engineer’s Approach to App Development
Riley, who is not a trained engineer, demonstrates how to build software despite not knowing how to code [00:01:00]. His method involves building the app first and then learning about the underlying code, which he finds more engaging than traditional learning-first approaches [00:01:40]. He can build a full mockup for an app using templates and deploy it to the web for testing [00:01:24].
Prototyping iOS Apps with Xcode and Cursor
One powerful method for prototyping iOS apps is using Xcode in conjunction with Cursor [00:02:06].
Workflow Overview
- Tools Used: Xcode (for iOS apps) [00:03:53] and Cursor (for code generation) [00:03:46].
- Language: iOS apps are built on Swift, which is relatively easy to understand once code is generated [00:04:03].
- Setup: Open a new project in Xcode, save it, then open Cursor and select the same file to connect them [00:04:30]. This setup is quicker than for web apps [00:04:43].
Example: Simple Notes App
- Prompt Cursor: Ask Cursor to create a simple one-page app for writing and saving notes to the phone [00:04:50].
- Local Storage: Since it’s an iOS app, notes can be saved locally to the phone’s files, eliminating the need to set up Firebase, which can be time-consuming and error-prone [00:05:14].
- Run and Test: After generating the code, run it in Xcode’s iPhone simulator [00:05:30].
- Iteration: Easily modify elements (e.g., change the app title to “Startup Ideas” and button text to “Add Idea”) by prompting Cursor again and rerunning the app [00:09:16].
Advantages of iOS Prototyping
- Tangibility: iOS apps feel more tangible than websites, making them easier to test and show to others [00:08:02] [00:13:07].
- Direct Phone Deployment: Prototypes can be immediately deployed to your own phone (after enabling developer mode) for testing, allowing on-the-go interaction with AI features [00:07:29].
- TestFlight: It’s relatively straightforward to create a TestFlight account to share the app with others for testing [00:07:55].
- Learning Experience: Building a simple app provides an “aha moment” that can unlock new ways of thinking and spark more ideas [00:12:12].
Considerations for iOS Development
- App Store Release: Releasing apps on the App Store is time-consuming due to Apple’s strict monitoring, 30% cut, and content regulations [00:07:06]. However, this is less of an issue for prototyping and testing [00:07:27].
- Xcode Updates: Traditionally, new files generated by Cursor in Xcode needed to be manually added, though this step appears to be improving [00:08:17].
Prototyping Web Apps with V0
V0 is a tool that allows for rapid web app prototyping, focusing on front-end design [00:13:36].
Key Features of V0
- Project Feature: V0 now includes a “project feature” where users can input information about their company or app (e.g., Yapthread.com details) to provide context for AI generation, avoiding repetitive inputs [00:13:40].
- Creativity: V0 is noted for its creativity in generating original ideas compared to other AI tools [00:15:37].
- Speed and Shareability: Prototypes are generated quickly and are easily shareable via public links [00:15:45].
Example: VS Code-like App for Writers
- Initial Prompt: Request a VS Code-like app for writers with specific panels (notes, markdown editor, custom presets) [00:14:39].
- Iterative Refinement:
- Initially, V0 might generate a concept for book writing [00:16:33].
- Refine the prompt to tailor it for content creators, specifying presets like “Tweet Thread,” “TikTok Script,” “Podcast Intro,” “Newsletter,” and “Instagram Carousel” [00:17:01].
- Adjust the left panel titles to be more relevant to social media posts [00:17:52].
- Profile Page: Develop a profile page for the writing tool, including user information like audience data, high-performing scripts, and basic details, maintaining the site’s theme [00:20:05].
Prototyping and Sharing in V0
- Forking: “Forking” a design isolates it, allowing for iteration without cluttering the initial context and making it shareable [00:19:09].
- Linking Pages: Public links from V0 can be embedded into documents like Google Docs or used with tools like Whimsical diagrams to map out user flows between different pages [00:19:53].
- Gamified Design: The resulting designs can be engaging and even gamified, potentially increasing user engagement (e.g., a writing tool with scoring or streaks) [00:25:38].
Using V0 for Landing Pages
- Rapid Generation: V0 excels at creating highly effective landing pages quickly [00:27:31].
- Integration with Forms: A landing page with an embedded form (e.g., from Tally.so) can be generated with a single prompt, allowing for quick waitlist sign-ups [00:28:40].
- Tally is highlighted as a free/affordable alternative to Typeform for collecting user information [00:29:07].
- Developer Communication: A V0-generated landing page provides developers with a clear visual vision, simplifying the backend connection process [00:30:35].
The Power of Prototyping
Prototyping transforms individuals from mere “idea guys/gals” to “prototype guys/gals” [00:31:20].
- Fast Feedback Loop: Prototypes allow for rapid gathering of voice of customer feedback [00:31:35].
- Validation and Pivoting: Quickly determine if there’s demand for a product or if it needs to be adjusted [00:31:41].
- Empowering Creators: This ability to build rapidly and iterate with community feedback creates a powerful “Creator Composer” who can develop features the same day an idea arises, significantly faster than traditional outsourcing [00:31:58].
Riley is currently building and selling apps via Yapthread.com [00:32:57]. He plans to hold feature contests, releasing the app’s code for others to fork and add features [00:33:17].