Write a prompt that gets a great first version

The first message shapes the whole app. A good one gets you a first version you want to keep building on. Here's what to put in it.

Say who it's for and what it does

Lead with the job the app does. “An app for my running club to log runs and see the weekly leaderboard” beats “a fitness app”.

Name the main screens

Three to five screens is a good first version. For example: “a home screen with today's habits, a habit detail screen with a streak calendar, and a settings screen”.

Describe how it should feel

Colours, mood and density all help: “soft greens, big friendly buttons, lots of space”, or “a calm dark theme”. If you have a reference, attach a screenshot. The agent can see images.

Say what to fake for now

If the app needs data you don't have yet, ask for realistic sample data: “fill it with eight example recipes”. You can connect real data later.

Then go one change at a time

After the first version, small, specific follow-ups work best: “make the streak number twice as big”, “add a button to share a recipe”. Each one saves a new version, so you can always roll back a change you don't like.

An example

“A habit tracker where every streak grows a little garden. Home shows today's habits with big tick buttons; tapping one opens its streak calendar. Add a settings screen with a daily reminder time. Soft greens, rounded cards, friendly and calm. Start with four example habits.”