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Build a Small App with Claude Code in 6 Phases, from Plan to Launch

Takes a simple app idea to a finished first version with Claude Code in six phases: a scoped build plan, a minimal version 1, error fixing with small safe changes, one feature at a time, a product-design review and a prioritized launch checklist.

claude codemvpdebuggingproduct designlaunch checklist
  1. Phase 1 — Scoped build plan
    I want to create a simple app starting from nothing.

- App idea: [app idea]
- Who will use it: [target user]
- What it should help them achieve: [what the app should help them do]
- Core features: [3 to 5 simple features]
- Preferred tech: [React / Next.js / plain HTML, CSS and JS / your choice]

Before you write any code:
1. Ask me any questions that matter for the build.
2. Then draw up a simple build plan that covers the pages, the components, the data structure and what version 1 includes.

Version 1 must stay small. I want an app that works before we add any advanced feature.
  2. Phase 2 — Version 1 only
    Following the plan we agreed on, build version 1 and nothing more: the smallest version of the app that works.

Requirements:
- the app loads
- the main feature works
- the design is clean enough to test with

Leave out login, payments, a database, notifications, admin dashboards and every other advanced feature, unless one of them is truly essential.

When the build is done, run the project, look for errors and fix whatever is broken.
  3. Phase 3 — Fix the errors
    Run the app and examine the error.

1. Explain in plain English what is broken.
2. Fix it with the smallest change that is safe.
3. Run the project once more and confirm the app is working.

Do not touch files unrelated to the problem unless the fix requires it.
  4. Phase 4 — Add one feature
    Next feature to add: [feature]

- Before you write code, tell me which files you will modify and why.
- Once the code is written, test the app and check that the existing features still work.
- Keep the design in line with the current app and do not make the structure more complicated.
  5. Phase 5 — Product-design review
    Look at this app the way a product designer would and tell me:
- what feels confusing
- what should be taken out
- what should be made clearer
- what a person using it for the first time would miss
- what would make the app more useful

Then improve the interface without making it complicated. It must stay clean, simple and easy to understand.
  6. Phase 6 — Launch checklist
    Before launch, draw up a checklist for this app. Look for:
- broken pages
- errors in the console
- layout problems on mobile
- copy that is confusing
- missing empty states and loading states
- basic accessibility issues
- anything else that makes the app feel unfinished

Sort the issues from most to least important, then fix the top ones first.
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