How to Build Your First App with an AI Coding Tool in 2 Hours

Building your first app can feel like an uphill battle. If you're a solo founder or a side project builder, you may not have the luxury of time or the coding skills needed to bring your idea to life. Enter AI coding tools—these can help you build an app in just a couple of hours. But which one should you use? And how do you get started?

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of building your first app using AI coding tools, sharing real experiences, pricing, and honest limitations. You can finish this in about 2 hours, and I’ll recommend the best tools to help you along the way.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start

Before diving into the app-building process, you need a few things:

1. An Idea: A clear concept of what you want your app to do.
2. An Account: Sign up for an AI coding tool from the list below.
3. Basic Design Assets: Logos, colors, and any images you want to include.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your App

Step 1: Choose Your AI Coding Tool

Here’s a breakdown of some of the best AI coding tools you can use to build your app quickly:

| Tool Name | Pricing | Best For | Limitations | Our Take | |--------------------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|---------------------------| | OpenAI Codex | $0-20/mo for basic usage | Simple apps and prototypes | Limited to text-based apps | We use this for quick prototypes. | | GitHub Copilot | $10/mo per user | Developers needing suggestions | Requires coding knowledge for best results | Great for enhancing code quality. | | Bubble | Free tier + $29/mo for pro | No-code apps with complex logic | Performance can lag with heavy apps | We don’t use this for heavy projects. | | Replit | Free tier + $20/mo for pro | Collaborative coding | Limited to web apps | We find it useful for quick demos. | | Wix ADI | Free tier + $23/mo for premium | No-code website/apps | Less flexibility in customization | Skip if you need complex features. | | Appgyver | Free, with enterprise options | Full-featured apps | Can be overwhelming for beginners | We don’t use this due to complexity. | | Adalo | Free tier + $50/mo for pro | Mobile apps | Limited integrations | Good for simple mobile apps. | | Thunkable | Free tier + $25/mo for pro | Mobile apps | Limited to mobile platforms | We use it for quick mobile prototypes. | | Glitch | Free tier + $10/mo for pro | Collaborative web apps | Not as robust for larger projects | Great for team projects. | | Zoho Creator | $10/user/mo (min 3 users) | Business apps | Can get expensive as user count grows | We don’t use this for personal projects. |

Step 2: Set Up Your Environment

Once you’ve chosen a tool, create a new project. Most of these platforms have a straightforward onboarding process that will guide you through setting up your first app.

Step 3: Define Your App’s Structure

Sketch out the basic structure of your app. Identify the main screens or features you want to include, such as:

• Home Screen
• User Profile
• Settings

Step 4: Use AI Features to Build Your App

Leverage the AI features of your chosen tool to generate code snippets or layouts. For instance, if you’re using OpenAI Codex, you can type prompts like “Create a login page in React” and it will generate the necessary code.

Step 5: Test Your App

Run a quick test to see how your app performs. Make sure to check for bugs and ensure that all features work as intended. Many AI tools offer built-in testing environments.

Step 6: Deploy Your App

Once you’re satisfied with your app, follow the deployment instructions provided by your chosen tool to publish your app. This can usually be done with a few clicks.

What Could Go Wrong

• Overcomplication: Don’t try to add too many features at once. Start simple and iterate.
• Tool Limitations: Be aware of the limitations of the tool you choose. For example, some tools may not support certain integrations or complex functionalities.

What’s Next: Scaling Your App

After launching your app, gather feedback from users and make necessary adjustments. Consider scaling your app by:

• Adding more features based on user requests.
• Exploring paid plans for increased functionality and support.
• Integrating with other tools to enhance user experience.

Conclusion: Start Here

Building your first app doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By using AI coding tools and following this step-by-step guide, you can create a functional app in just 2 hours. Choose a tool that fits your needs, keep it simple, and don’t hesitate to iterate based on user feedback.

If you want to dive deeper into building apps and exploring new tools, check out our podcast where we share our experiences and lessons learned from building in public.